Browse this list of prehistoric sites to visit in Wales alphabetically
(on this page) or by Region
(see a regional map). Unless otherwise noted, most sites are freely accessible,
but please be respectful of the rights of landowners.
Barclodiad y Gawres is one of the most impressive of the many prehistoric remains on the Isle of anglesey. This Neolithic chambered tomb has been partially reconstructed, which helps a great deal to give an idea of the site and how it was used. The most historically important feature of Barclodiad y Gawres are the wealth of carved stones, particularly several carved with spiral patterns similar to those found at Bryn Celli Ddu, also on Anglesey. These spiral patterns are unique in Wales, and have more similarity to decorated tombs in Ireland than to other British sites.
Rhosneigr,
Anglesey,
Isle of Anglesey,
Gwynedd,
Wales
A Neolithic burial chamber, or passage grave. The chamber consists of three large upright stones with a capstone on top, and the interior is reached by a short passagway at the east end. Easy, signed access in a farm field makes this one of the most visited prehistoric sites on Anglesey.
B4419,
Llangaffo,
Gwynedd,
Wales
A badly damaged portal dolmen in a superbly scenic location just a few miles from Dyffryn Ardudwy. The large capstone has slipped from its perch.
Barmouth,
Gwynedd,
Wales
Fifteen stones survive in this cairn circle. The stones, up to 6 feet tall, spread out from the centre of the cairn like a porcupine's bristles. Access is via a 4 mile walk through marshy ground, so be sure to bring good footwear!
Talsarnau,
Gwynedd,
Wales
Very well preserved megalithic mound tomb, one of the finest in Britain. Bring a torch (flashlight). The earthwork tomb was once surrounded by a stone circle, which seems to have been destroyed in the construction of the tomb. A soiltary standing stone still stands before the entrance to the tomb.
Two large stones are all that remain of this large circle that must originally have sported 8 stones in a ring of 40 feet in diameter. These are among the tallest standing stones in Wales, with one at 13 feet in height and the other measuring about 10 feet.
Llangaffno,
Pont Mynach,
Anglesey,
Isle of Anglesey,
Gwynedd,
Wales
This massive Iron Age hillfort is set on the slope of a hill overlooking the attractive town of Corwen and the meandering River Dee. Unlike most hillforts, Caer Drewyn has walls of stone, rather than the more typical earthen banks and ditches. The fort is composed of a huge rampart with entrances on the north-east and south.
The name Caer Leb translates loosely as Leaven Castle. That might conjure up images of battlements and drawbridges, but nothing could be further from the truth. This 'castle' is a prehistoric enclosure near the River Braint. The site is bounded by an arrangement of double banks and ditches, some sections of which have since been levelled. The origins of Caer Leb are unclear, but it seems likely that it was built in the 2nd century BCE, and remained in use until well into the Roman period.
Brynsiencyn,
Gwynedd,
Wales
A Neolithic burial chamber, built sometime around 2000 BCE. There are two false entrances, but the real tomb is entred from the south, where an inner passage leads to a cross passage leading to two circular burial chambers located on an east/west axis. The false entries may have been created not to deceive grave robbers, as happened in ancient Egypt, but simply to create places for ceremonial observances.
Capel Garmon,
Gwynedd,
Wales
A roughly circular cairn of 51-54 feet in diameter adorns the top of Cefn Gelligaer. A damaged burial cist is in the centre of the cairn.
Deri,
Merthyr Tydfil,
Glamorgan,
Wales
A Neolithic dolmen composed of four upright stones topped by a very large capstone. Only two of the upright stones actually support the capstone, which might seem precariously perched until you conside that it has stood this way for thouands of years!
Newport,
Dyfed,
Wales
One of a number of prehistoric sites in the fields near Brynsiencyn village, Castell Bryn Gwyn is a fortified enclosure, probably erected in the Neolithic period, though it appears to have been used throughout the Iron Age and the Roman period. The first occupation at Bryn Gwyn appears to have been as early as 2500 BCE. Flint tools and pottery from the 3rd millenium have been found underneath the earthen walls that suround the site.
Brynsiencyn,
Isle of Anglesey,
Gwynedd,
Wales
An oval ring of low stones. Thirty feet from the ring is a striking setting of a tall (7 foot high) stone and two smaller stones in a line.
Craig-y-nos,
Powys,
Wales
A late Iron age enclosure defended by a double bank and ditch. The enclosure was defended on one side by the River Wye and a steep-sided ravine to the south. Excavations within the enclosure have revealed traces of three rectangular buildings, but it seems likely there must have been a sizeable settlement.
Alpha Road,
Chepstow,
Gwent,
Wales
Five low stones in a circle that has been called the smallest in Britain. Quartz deposits have been unearthed in a pit in the centre of the circle. Circle 275 is quite close to the more striking Druid's Circle.
Penmaenmawr,
Gwynedd,
Wales
Din Dryfol is a Neolithic chambered tomb standing in a farm field near the village of Bethel on the Isle of Anglesey. Excavations indicate that the site was used and adapted over an extended period of time. Our best guess for the initial construction is about 3000 BCE.
Aberffraw,
Isle of Anglesey,
Gwynedd,
Wales
The area around Din Lligwy is a historian's treasure trove. Within a short stroll of each other are a prehistoric cromlech, a ruined early medieval chapel, and an ancient Romano-British setttlement. The settlement remains are composed of a series of very well-preserved stone huts within a stone walled enclosure.
Moelfre,
Isle of Anglesey,
Gwynedd,
Wales
Thirty stones make up this unevenly spaced circle, with a diameter of roughly 80 feet.The stones are elevated on a rough bank of rubble, and entrance is through a group of 4 stones set 8 feet apart. Druid's Circle is within sight of Circle 275.
Penmaenmawr,
Gwynedd,
Wales
What makes this neolithic tomb unique is that there are two burial chambers, 30 feet apart within the mound. The chambers were built sometime between 3000-1900 BC, probably as a communal burial site. The entire monument was probably originally covered by a mound of small stones.
Two stone circles survive here, though in very poor condition. You'll have to use your imagination to get much of a feel for Ffrid Newydd, though the location is lovely.
Tal y Bont,
Barmouth,
Gwynedd,
Wales
As the name suggests, this is a group of four standing stones, of 5-6 feet in height. The SW stone has markings which may be cupmarks
Walton,
Presteigne,
Powys,
Wales
A small dolmen with a broken capstone that once measured 12 feet in length. The capstone probably covered a small chambered tomb.
Gaer Llwyd,
Chepstow,
Gwent,
Wales
Visit the hillfort Garn Goch in the autumn to fully appreciate its name, meaning Red Hill. Splendid views of Towy valley and further to the Black Mountains. Defensive and settlement sites in the Early Bronze Age, the camps were further fortified between AD 47-78 into a pair of forts sharing the ridge.
Llandeilo,
Llandeilo,
Dyfed,
Wales
Attraction Type:
Prehistoric Heritage Highlight: Striking example of Iron-age hillfort Heritage Rating:? Location: Between Llandeilo and Llangadog, on a side road off the A4069, in a remote part of the Brecon Beacons National Park
Website:Garn Goch Brecon Beacons National Park OSSN 690 242 Nearest
attractions and accommodation Nearest:hotels - cottages - Bed
and Breakfasts
If Gop Hill Cairn (sometimes simply called The Gop) were located in a more populated area it would be celebrated and the subject of endless speculation like more famous sites such as Stonehenge and Silbury Hill. But it is not, and for that we should, perhaps, be grateful. Gop Hill is a strange manmade mound, or cairn, built sometime during the Neolithic period, on a high hill overlooking Trelawnyd, Flintshire.
Trelawnyd,
Clwyd,
Wales
A circle of some 70 feet in diameter composed of 16 low stones. Nearby are two larger stones aligned on a NW-SW axis. The circle is near the supposed site where the "bluestones" of Stonehenge were quarried.
Mynachlog-ddu,
Dyfed,
Wales
Extraordinary copper mines dating to the Bronze Age. The underground galleries can be visited, and an interpretive centre explores the history and archaeology of the mines.
Great Orme,
Llandudno,
Gwynedd,
Wales,
LL30 2XG
Thirteen low stones remain of a circle just over 30 feet diameter. One unusual feature gere is that the stones are butted against each other like a continuous wall. A solitary, tall (6 feet high) stone stands outside the circle, with a larger outlier nearby.
Caerwent,
Gwent,
Wales
This famous landscape garden designer gained his odd nickname from his habit of telling clients that their estates had 'great capability of improvement'
