id: sig-20260722-report-de021
site_id: gb-llangollen-dinas-bran
attribute: designation_report
value: 'Reference Number

  DE021

  Name

  Castell Dinas Bran

  Date of Designation

  Status

  Designated

  Unitary Authority

  Denbighshire

  Community

  Llangollen

  Easting

  322330

  Northing

  343037

  Broad Class

  Defence

  Site Type

  Castle

  Period

  Medieval

  The monument comprises the remains of a later prehistoric (probably Iron Age) hillfort,
  constructed on the summit of a steep isolated hill where the Dee Valley is joined by the
  Horseshoe Pass from the north.  The hillfort is univallate, with a probable entrance in
  the southwest.  A number of possible hut sites are visible in the undulating interior of
  the hillfort.  A medieval stone-built castle was later constructed during the 1260s by the
  lords of Powys Fadog, in the northwest corner of the hillfort.  A rock-cut ditch surrounds
  the castle in the south and the east.  The south and west sides of the keep are well preserved.  The
  curtain wall survives intermittently, with remains of a typically Welsh apsidal tower in
  the middle of the south side.  Traces of buildings in the west probably represent workshops,
  accommodation and stabling.  The arched windows of the great hall or chapel survive to the
  east of the apsidal tower.

  The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later
  prehistoric, and medieval defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important
  element within the wider later prehistoric and medieval context and within the surrounding
  landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential.
  There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, building
  techniques and functional detail.

  The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related
  evidence may be expected to survive.'
source_url: http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/sam/FullReport?lang=en&id=2300
source_title: Scheduled Monument Full Report — Castell Dinas Bran
publisher: Cadw
observed_date: '2026-07-22'
collected_by: scripts/build_assessment_batch.py
confidence: high
notes: The designation text. Assess the six bands against THIS evidence only; omit any band
  it does not speak to.