Castell Coch, Ystradfellte

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Stratmelthin

In the community of Ystradfellte. In the historic county of Brecknockshire (Modern authority of Powys, preserved county of Powys).

Castle, taking its name from the red sandstone of which it is built, lies on a promontory about 9m high between the Afon Llia and Afon Dringarth in a remote position on the south side of the Brecon Beacons. The only historical reference to it is in 1239 when it was held by William de Braose. The southern end of the promontory has beneath a tangle of vegetation the last vestiges of a wall about 1.5m thick around a pentangular court about 27m wide. Adjoining the west wall and occupying much of the rectangular northern part of the court is a keep about 16m long by 12m wide. At the NE corner are signs of a recessed gateway. The southern part of the court tapers to an acute angle which was occupied by a round tower about 13m in internal diameter, large enough to form a second keep. The layout and poor quality of masonry suggest it may date from the 1260s when Llywelyn ap Gruffydd controlled this area. North of the court is a bailey 60m wide, protected on the north side by a high rampart.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SN93591444

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's National Monument Record (Coflein) number is 92078
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 835 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

• Web site links
  • http://www.castlewales.com/coch_2.html
• Books
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p231 [listed]
    Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p11
    Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p20
    Remfry, Paul, 1998. Castles of Breconshire (Logaston Press) p132-4 [plan]
    Reid, Alan, 1998, Castles of Wales (John Jones Publishing) p49
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p21
• Journal Articles
  • Kay, R.E. 1969. ‘Castell Coch. Ystradfellte’ Brycheiniog 13. 87-94
    Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1967, 'Masonry castles in Wales and the Marches: a list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol116 p71-132
    King, D.J.C., 1961, ‘The castles of Breconshire’ Brycheiniog Vol7 p82
    Renn, D.F., 1961, 'The round keeps of the Brecon region' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol110 p139
    1901, Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol56 p67 and plan