Places to Visit: May 2010 Archives

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, 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.

In the summer of 2007 Harlech's beautiful beach gave up one of its secrets, an American P38 Lightning which had been hidden beneath the sand since it crashed on a training exercise during the Second World War.

Local aviation historian Matt Rimmer and the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) are fighting to preserve the wreck, having christened her the 'Maid of Harlech'. They're seeking donations to raise the grounded plane next year.

Due to the aircraft's historical significance as the oldest surviving Eighth Air Force combat veteran and the fact that it's covered by the Military Remains Act we can't tell you exactly where it is, but we're looking forward to seeing this wonderful piece of local history preserved for Wales.

You can find more information about the plane and donating to the project at the TIGAR website.