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Writer's pictureChris Wainwright

Top 3 prehistorical sites in Snowdonia


The prehistorical sites in Snowdonia are often looked past for the heritage sites including Snowdonia's many castles. We believe these prehistorical sites deserve more love as they have survived much longer and many of them are impressively preserved.


Many of the prehistoric sites in Snowdonia are burial chambers and tombs.


Check out our 3 top prehistorical sites in Snowdonia!



1. Barclodiad y Gawres


Barclodiad y Gawres is one of the largest Neolithic tombs in Wales, it is open for the public in Anglesey
Barclodiad y Gawres - Neolithic chambered tomb

This site is arguably the most finely kept out of the many in Snowdonia, although it has been partially reconstructed. The reconstruction of this Neolithic chambered tomb gives visitors a clearer picture of what the tomb would have looked like all those years ago.


Barclodiad y Gawres is one of the largest Neolithic tombs in Wales making it a favourite amongst visitors, the original spiral carvings in the stone.


There were two cremated male burials found in the tomb when it was discovered, you can visit the tomb almost anytime but inside access can be seasonal.







2. Brynn Cader Faner


Brynn Cader Faner prehistoric cairn in Snowdonia
Brynn Cader Faner

Bryn Cader Faner is a bronze age round cairn and a prehistoric wonder of wales with a diameter of 8.7 metres!


There are 15 stones that have survived reaching up to 6 ft tall, however it is hard to imagine the exact original appearance of the circle as there is evidence to suggest there were once up to 30 stones. The cairn has also took some damage during WWII and any remains that were once there have been stolen from the middle.


This site is more remote and can be reached via a 4 mile walk.



3. Bryn Celli Ddu


Bryn Celli Ddu well preserved prehistoric tomb in Snowdonia
Bryn Celli Ddu

This megalithic mound tomb site is by far one of the most well preserved prehistoric sites in Britain that is predicted to have been built in 3,000BC.

When the tomb was discovered archaeologists found a mix of burnt and unburnt human bones, quartz pieces, arrowheads, seashells, and a stone bead.


The site can be entered by visitors as it has replica stones for viewing, the circle surrounding the tomb has not been as well preserved as the tomb structure.


Bryn Celli Ddu is carefully aligned so that on the midsummer solstice, the longest day of the year, rays of sunlight will travel the length of the passage and reach the inner chamber giving light to the tomb. This is a unique feature not present in the other sites discovered nearby in Anglesey, perhaps this shows the advanced construction of Bryn Celli Ddu compared to nearby sites.




So what are you waiting for? Why not visit these fascinating sites in Snowdonia and explore the past.


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