This part of Wales has a long, rich and interesting history stretching all the way back to the Neolithic Period. You can visit numerous tombs, stone circles, castles and ancient monuments - all within a short distance of the farm.
Dyffryn Burial Chambers
Dyffryn Ardudwy Burial ChambersDyffryn Ardudwy, only four miles from Gwynfryn Farm, has an extraordinary history and is the site of four neolithic burial chambers or 'portal dolmens'. The first, known as 'Coetan Arthur' dates to around 3500BC and contains two dissimilar burial chambers originally covered by a cairn. Like many similar structures in Wales and Ireland the openings of both chambers face east. The remains of a later cremation burial have been detected in the eastern chamber. These tombs are thought to be the earliest in Wales and possibly even the British Isles. Research on these burial chambers has contributed a great deal to the dating of other portal dolmens in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
You can find the Dyffryn Burial Chambers at the south end of Dyffryn Ardudwy village, signposted on the left just before the school. The site is up a short footpath with kissing gates, just a few hundred yards from the main coast road. Ordinance Survey map reference OS 124 SH 588228 U2.
The coordinates for Google Maps are 52.7842538328482,-4.09507926302649.
Cors-y-Gedol Burial Chamber
Cors-y-Gedol Burial ChamberThis monument stands beside a track leading out of Dyffryn and dates from the Bronze Age. Little remains of the burial chamber itself apart from the capstone which leans against the cairn and a single standing stone to the east. OS map reference SH603228. Coordinates for Google Maps are 52.7846443717514,-4.07285401203086.
Bron-y-Foel Isaf Burial Chamber
Sadly Bron-y-Foel Isaf is badly damaged; the tomb's large capstone has slipped from its perch. It's location, however, just a few miles from Dyffryn, is amazingly scenic - making it well worth a visit. OS map reference OS SH607 246. Coordinates for Google Maps are 52.8009183327914,-4.06769420398323
Looking for more?
The area between Harlech and Barmouth offers a great deal more to see if ancient monuments are your thing. Britain Express is a helpful site containing information on all kinds of monuments in the area.