Barclodiad y Gawres — Attraction in Aberffraw

This beautifully constructed mound structure, incorporating concrete, covering a Neolithic cross shaped burial chamber which houses some distinctive stone artwork of a kind only found previously in Ireland (as with the chamber's design.) Many ancient relics have been unearthed here and at least one of the chambers was constructed for ritual purposes as opposed to solely burial purposes. Very sadly access to the deeper chamber had to be restricted when several stones in the chamber were vandalized with spray paint so it is now fenced off via a large metal gate that can only be opened via an appointment and with a guide present. There is solar powered motion detecting subtle lighting in the chamber which means you can view the chamber well and take some good photographs even from behind the metal gate. There is a stone encased solar power construction over the tomb to power these lights and keep the chamber's relationship with the sun ongoing in the most modern of ways but some people may not be impressed by this and rue the missing of the original hole above the chamber to allow sunlight through into the tomb more naturally. This tomb is well signposted and there is generous parking at the nearby beach car park or a nearby layby which is free but not that large and vehicles can speed over the hill just before this layby and care is needed when pulling in and pulling away. There are information boards in the tomb and also on the beach car park sandy pathway. A truly brilliant...

Wednesday, 23rd July 2025 Barclodiad y Gawres is a Neolithic burial chamber between Rhosneigr and Aberffraw on the south-western coast of the island of Anglesey in North Wales. It is an example of a cruciform passage grave, a notable feature being its decorated stones. Similar graves and marks exist across the Irish Sea in the Boyne Valley. Full excavations were performed in 1952–53, after which the chamber was re-roofed with concrete and covered with turf to resemble the original structure. During the excavations two cremated young male burials were found within the south-western side-chamber. The central area of the main chamber contained the remains of a fire on which had been poured a stew which had been made with wrasse, eel, frog, toad, grass snake, mouse, shrew and hare, then covered with limpet shells and pebbles. During the excavations five stones with carvings—spirals, zig-zags, lozenges and chevrons—were discovered. A sixth stone with carvings was discovered in 2001. There's a small lay-by at the start of the path for about ten cars. Not suitable for wheelchairs due to the narrow, uneven coastal path and the grassed hilly area. Please be careful when desending back down the hill as I, unfortunately, slipped on the short grass and badly twisted my ankle 😫 and had to end my trip to Anglesey and went home 😮‍💨 However, I do recommend a visit...

Barclodiad Y Gawres Burial Chamber

Legend has it that the mound was carried by a Giantess in her apron.

Constructed 5,000 years ago through the combined efforts of Neolithic peoples from the Boyne Valley of Ireland, West Spain and Portugal, Orkney Islands and Brittany. The collaborators shared a love of rock art and the information plaque promised access to view their works. The art depicts zigzags and spirals which had been pecked into the surface of the boulders using quartz and hammer stones. The inspiration is reported to have been heavily influenced by the Irish Boyne Valley participants. Unknown as to the purpose however we can speculate that shamans used the images to journey and commune with the dead.

Not able to view their works, unfortunately. The stones were behind a metal gate and it was too dark to get close enough to see. Such a shame.

The placement of this site is stunning as it looks over the Irish Sea from a commanding position. The opening of the Chamber was visible from the road as I...