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Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber
Bryn Celli Ddu (‘the mound in the dark grove’) is a prehistoric site that was archaeologically excavated between 1928 and 1929 (though it was discovered much earlier). In addition to being one of the finest stone age monuments in the UK, there are also several unanswered questions about the site – from the presence of a single pillar within the burial chamber, the ‘pattern stone’ (now replaced by a reproduction) carved with serpentine designs, and the fact that the site began as a henge – including a stone circle – which may have been used to plot the date of the summer solstice.
The finest passage tomb in Wales, both the passage tomb and burial chamber are complete, and it’s still mostly buried under a mound or ‘cairn’, having been recovered following its initial excavation. The passage is just over eight metres long, of which the first metre is uncovered, with a pair of portal stones at the entrance. The walls of the passage tomb are made from vertical rock slabs, with a series of stone lintels supporting the roof (though some of these have now been replaced by concrete supports).
Not only is this an area of incredible historic importance, it is also charged with the presence of history – and visitors can feel the wight of time as they explore the site.
Where is it?
Although you’d never guess it from the site itself, Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber is actually not too far from the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll – a short journey from either of the two bridges, along the A5 then the A4080 (Ffordd Brynsiencyn) for around 3 miles, where you’ll need to take a right (Bryn Celli Ddu is signposted at the turn). Another half a mile and you’ll reach the designated car park for the site (which has some information boards and a replica stone circle. From there, you’ll need to take a walk along the signposted track opposite the car park (a footpath alongside Afon Braint), after crossing over the river, between the hedgerows, you can then cross the field or follow the path along the hedge until you see the site.
It is worth bearing in mind that Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber is a single site of historic interest, and while it’s well worth the visit – it’s better to do so as part of a day of other activities, perhaps as somewhere to stop for lunch, as you’re unlikely to need more than an hour or two on site.
Opening times
Accessible year round
The site, though rural, is open year round – though it tends to be busier around the Summer Solstice.
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