Bodowyr Burial Chamber — Attraction in Wales

Tuesday, 22nd July 2025 Bodowyr Burial Chamber is the central burial chamber of a passage grave of a type more frequently found in Ireland. The chamber has three upright stones about a metre high supporting a robust, wedge-shaped capstone. A large stone lying flat nearby on the western side may have been part of the structure, perhaps another upright, or a blocking stone, and another low stone beside the entrance to the east which was perhaps a kerb or sill. Originally a mound of earth or rubble would have covered or partially covered the dolmen, and there would have been a passage from the entrance on the southeast to the side of the mound. The mound has since been completely dispersed. The location is on level, low-lying ground and it is not apparent why this particular site should have been chosen. The fact that Snowdon and the Glyderau are visible in the distance, with the Llanberis Pass between them, may be significant, and there may be some solar or lunar alignment as seen from the entrance that has not yet been elucidated. Bodowyr Burial Chamber is under the care of the Welsh Heritage organisation Cadw. It is open throughout the year, apart from 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January, between the hours of 10am and 4pm. It can be accessed by walking 100 m (330 ft) across a sometimes muddy field. There is no entry charge. Not suitable for wheelchairs due to the field entrance and the grassed area. There's a small laybye next to the site entrance for about three cars. I recommend a visit...

This is a truly splendid example of a Neolithic passage grave that may have been used for communal burial between 4000 and 2000BC. It is quite a striking landmark offering beautiful views of Snowdonia on a clear day. It's almost pyramidal capstone is supported by three standing stones (but it is assumed there was a fourth at some point). There is a smaller still stone to the East which may have marked the entrance to the tomb when the whole chamber was covered in earth. No evidence of this mound remains today however. I always like to visualize just how these stone chambers must have looked when in use and the all encompassing importance of them to their communities and the sheer age of the structures. They are spiritual places to many and provide another dimension to our fast and often stressful lives that we lead today. The chamber is fully protected and surrounded by a metal fence and access to the field it is in is marked out by a purpose built swinging metal gate in front of a lay-by parking recess for upto three family sized cars. If you are interested in ancient history or are just spiritual in essence then I would really recommend a visit to this place. I would also recommend reading up on the chamber beforehand to really...

A beautiful little dolmen in an area rich in Neolithic sites. Just around the corner from the better known Bryn Celli Ddu, it's well worth a visit if you're in the area.

Distinctive mostly by its mushroom shaped capstone, it's thought to be around 5000 years old. It's commonly theorised that sites like this would have been covered in a mound of earth and rocks, to form a passage grave or portal burial chamber. However, there is growing belief that many sites were in fact originally a free standing structure, some of which were then covered over hundreds of years later.

Free access and parking, only a short walk over a level field, stunning views of the surrounding area of...