Written question WQ86579

Sycharth Castle, Powys (OS grid ref. SJ 205 258) was one of main ancestral residences of Owain Glyndŵr. It is a scheduled monument protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. It is in private ownership with visitor access by agreement with the Llangedwyn Estate.

Between 2009 and 2011 Cadw ran a project to investigate and conserve historic sites associated with the native princes of Wales. This included archaeological investigative work and conservation at Sycharth. Geophysical survey successfully revealed the outlines of buried buildings in the castle bailey, providing the basis for reinterpretation of the site layout and its phasing, and informed a major conservation project to install drains to reduce standing water in the moat, stabilise and repair the eroded earthwork banks. The cost was £155,000, also covering installation of a carpark, interpretation signage and public access.

Cadw officers are in regular contact with the Llangedwyn Estate, which owns Sycharth, and the tenant farmer responsible for its management. They also participate in discussions with the Glyndŵr Society. Recent discussions have focused on the need for remedial works to improve the car park and replace the stile. Meetings have been held with the site owners to agree a programme of repair works that they will carry out this winter with financial support from Cadw.

As a privately owned monument, public access to and the present visitor facilities at Sycharth are at the discretion of its owners and tenant. The low-key facilities recognise this and the status of the site as a working dairy farm with an adjacent domestic property.