Is this/was this a real site?

Wales 38

Image by thesweetcheat

suave harv Jan 15, 2005 10:05:34

A watercolour from an old postcard I found recently. I've kept the res large, sorry to none broad-banders.
I feel sure if it was there I'd have heard about it, but it all looks to precise to allow for artistic interpretation. It looks a fantastic place. .

http://www.suaveharv.com/abe.htm

swanvesta Jan 15, 2005 10:14:46

Replying to suave harv

Looks like it might have been an Eisteddfod circle to me, if the view was fictional then I don't think the artist would have bothered painting the paths.
If it was prehistoric I'm sure we would know about it - you're right, it does look fantastic.

wideford Jan 15, 2005 10:18:09

Replying to suave harv

Within 10km of Aberystwyth only standing stones and a carved stone come up on RCAHMW.

Grendel Jan 15, 2005 10:32:07

Replying to suave harv

Kammer would have to confirm but this looks like the bardic circle at Aberystwyth Castle.

I know the area well (especially in the dark ;-) - don't worry - I married her!).

Littlestone Jan 15, 2005 13:29:12

Replying to suave harv

Amazing place... can't quite make out the initials at bottom right - are they A R?

sam Jan 15, 2005 23:36:00

Replying to suave harv

sorry, not an old site -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/panoramics/pages/aber_castle.shtml

Kammer Jan 17, 2005 15:27:34

Replying to suave harv

I can (rather belatedly) confirm that this is a modern circle within the defences of Aberystwyth Castle. I walk past this pretty regularly, and never miss the opportunity to swear under my breath at the ignorant Victorians who put it there, spoiling what would otherwise be quite a pleasant inner-bailey.

No disrespect meant to those who say modern circles are a good thing, but I totally and utterly disagree with you (and you're all nuts!). They're nasty crass things, usually clumsily executed with little or no regard for how prehistoric the circles are put together. As far the implication that Welsh identity is somehow entwined with megalithic culture and the Druids... I'd better not go into that.

Those of you who love this sort of modern guff will be interested to know that each stone in the Aberystwyth circle comes from a different Welsh county.

I feel dirty writing about this stuff. I'm off to wash my hands in a Lady Macbeth sort of style!

K x

supercat Jan 17, 2005 18:38:04

Replying to suave harv

try www.castlewales.com/aberystw.html or just type in aberystwyth castle on yahoo and take your pick ;-)