Prehistoric Sites

Bron y Foel Isaf Burial Chamber

OS Grid ref:-SH 607246

Bron y Foel is situated near the town of Barmouth and is a particularly badly damaged portal dolmen located a few miles from Dyffryn Ardudwy. Its large capstone has fallen. At Dyffryn Ardudwy village, head northwards along the A496, turn right after the hotel and continue to the crossroads, turn right right again just before a farm, the tomb is located in roadside wall on the right.

Bryn Cader Faner

OS Grid Ref:- SH 647354

Located near to the viilage of Talsarnau, Bryn Cader Faner is a cairn circle of fifteen surviving stones. The stones, measure around 6 feet tall. Access is difficult and involves a 4 mile walk over marshy ground.

Bwlch y Ddeufaen Standing Stones

Located just off the B5106, near Rowen, Conwy. The Standing Stones are around 2000 years old stones and rise to a height of around 10 feet.

Capel Garmon Burial Chamber

OS Grid ref:- SH 818543

Situated in a field by the minor road to Capel Garmon from A470 or A5, near Betws-y-Coed, a neolithic burial chamber of the 3rd millennium BC with superb views of Snowdonia. Built about 3000BC, it belongs to the Severn-Cotswold group and has three chambers. During the 19th Century it was used as a stable. Although only one capstone remains, the monument is well preserved. The site is maintained by Cadw.

Following the A5 from Betws-y-Coed towards Llangollen, after about 2 miles, just past the right turn at Conwy Falls, turn left up a narrow lane. After around a quarter of a mile, upon reaching a gate next to a campsite entrance, go through the gate and proceed uphill. Look for a footpath sign and stile on the left just before the farm buildings. Follow the footpath signs for about ¼ mile after passing through a metal gate the chamber comes into view.

Castell Garn Fadrun

Located 6 miles west of Pwllheli, on Lleyn Peninsula. Standing on a hilltop from village of Garnfadrun. The site consists of an Iron Age hillfort with drystone ramparts. It was rebuilt in 1188 by one of Owain Gwynedd's sons. Castell Garn Fadrun is said to be the oldest surviving stone castle in Gwynedd.

Druid's Circle

OS Grid Ref:- SH 723 746

Situated at Penmaenmawr, the Druid's Circle is an unevenly spaced circle of 30 stones, with a diameter of around 80 feet.The stones are set on a bank of rubble. The entrance is through a group of 4 stones set about 8 feet apart. Within the circle archeologists found a food vessel and the cremated remains of a child, possibly evidence of human sacrifice. Neo - druidic ceremonies are occasionally still carried out here. Nearby Circle 275 consists of five stones and has been referred to as the smallest circle in Britain.

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd

Unique neolithic tomb consisting of two burial chambers, located around 30 feet apart within a mound.

Ffrid Newydd

OS Grid Ref:- SH 616 213

Ffrid Newydd is situated near Tal-y-Bont and is just off the A496. The monument consists of two stone circles which in a very bad condition.

Great Orme Copper Mines

OS Grid Ref:- SH 770 830

Copper mines at Lllandudno, which date to the Bronze Age. The underground galleries can be visited, and an interpretive centre explains the fascinating history and archaeology of the mines. Open daily 10-5pm.

Hendre Waelod Burial Chamber

OS Grid Ref:- SO 499 051

Located at Llansanffraid Glan Conwy, just off the A470, Hendre Waelod Burial Chamber is a dolmen tomb on the River Conwy, which dates to 3,500 B.C. fronted by portal stones which rise to around 10 feet high. The tomb is covered a huge capstone. From the A470, turn right at the angled crossroad onto a lane for signed footpath; which crosses a field to woods.

Lled-Croen-Yr-Ych

Situated near Llanbrynmair, off A470. The site consists of a 75 feet in diameter circle which has 30 low stones and an outlying stone standing around 90 feet away. Cerrig Gaerau Stone Circle is nearby.

Maen y Bardd. (Stone of the Bard) Neolithic Burial Chamber

OS Grid ref:-SH 740 717

Situated at Rowen, Conwy and dated to round 3500 B.C. The sidestones and the capstones of the tomb project to form a portal area. Nearby are individual standing stones. From Conwy, continue south down the Conwy valley for around 4 miles on the west side of the river to Rowen. Climb the very steep hill passing the old YHA. Continue to the old Roman road. After passing through a wooded path, Maen y Bardd is on the right.