Rhos Y Beddau Stone Rows

Rhos Y Beddau Stone Rows

A bog has swallowed up part of an ancient stone circle at Rhos Y Beddau, but a long avenue leading to the circle is visible, as are prehistoric burial cairns.

Visiting

The site is definitely not easy to get to. You need a good OS map, good waterproof footwear, and cooperation from the weather! You'll need to park at the Pistyll Rhaedr waterfall, off the B4580.

Following a track past the top of the falls, through boggy ground, to a cairn on top of the ridge. The stones are difficult to see from a distance, as none are more than 3 feet tall, and grass partly obscures them from view. 

There is a large diameter stone circle of 17 stones, varying in height from just 7 inches to 3 feet, measuring 37 feet across. Leading away from the east side of the circle is a row of 24 stones, leading off across the ridge for 150 feet. This is paralleled by another row of 19 stones. Many of the stones are exactly aligned with their counterparts on the other side of the rows. The end of one row terminates at a large cairn.

What is the significance of the row? The name may give a clue; Rhos-Y-Beddau translates as 'Moor of the Graves', which might suggest a connection to burial or ritual associated with death. The stone rows are set in an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), a breeding area for Peregrine falcons, hen harriers, and red kites.