Pennant cairn

Nearest town:
Bala (13km W)
OS reference:
SJ04823331
OS sheet:
125
Latitude:
52° 53' 18.28 N
Longitude:
3° 24' 53.25 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

I came across this a little to the SW of the cairns, on my way to Nant Esgeiriau. I think it’s one of the hut circles mentioned on Coflein.

Image credit: A. Brookes (13.9.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Dec 21, 2024
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

According to Coflein, the structure on the foreground which intrigued postman and me on our previous visit is another cairn, “circular, with single large stone to South East (1.5m x 1.8m x 0.6m), 0.5m high, diameter 3m, stone size 0.1m – 0.6m.”

Image credit: A. Brookes (13.9.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Dec 21, 2024
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Approaching from the east. Foel Cwm Sian Lwyd, Arenig Fawr and distant Yr Wyddfa on the skyline.

Image credit: A. Brookes (13.9.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Dec 21, 2024
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Some landscape context for the monuments on the western flanks of Cadair Berwyn and Moel Sych. Somewhat approximate labels, including at least two spelling mistakes. From Foel Fawr on the descent from the tops.

Image credit: A. Brookes (13.9.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Dec 21, 2024
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Note the ‘feature’, foreground. The farmer seemed to reckon this was far from recent? Guess we need to go with Coflein.......

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 9, 2019
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

The cairn – approx centre(ish) – from across the Nant Eisgeiriau..........

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 9, 2019
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking towards Foel Cwm-Sian Llwyd (centre right, skyline).... well worth a visit, too, should you be so inclined to tackle the merciless heather.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 9, 2019
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Incidentally, Arenig Fawr dominates the horizon beyond Cwm Pennant.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 9, 2019
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Appearances can be deceptive.... since this once mighty cairn is now hollow. However, great positioning.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 9, 2019
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by postman

Looking over Pennant cairn to Nant Esgeiriau cairn

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 25, 2018
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by postman

Cadair Baerwyn left and Moel Sych right, Pennant cairn fore.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 25, 2018
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by postman

The totally emptied cairn, I wonder if it had a cist like nearby Nant Esgeiriau cairn

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 25, 2018
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by postman

Cefn Penagored ridge rises on the left, two kerb cairns hide out there.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 25, 2018
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by postman

looking over the cairn with Cefn Penagored ridge being the hill on the right, two kerb cairns hideout there.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Jun 22, 2011
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by postman

This strange arrangement of stones is just fifteen feet northwest of the big cairn.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Jun 22, 2011
Image of Pennant cairn (Cairn(s)) by postman

Looking over the cairn towards misty Cadair Berwyn.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Jun 22, 2011

Articles

Pennant cairn

postman
postman Jun 22, 2011

Pennant cairn is highly visible (in the right circumstances)from Nant Esgeiriau cairn and its only a fifteen minute walk from one to the other but a small river (Nant Esgeiriau) has to be crossed.
Even a quick look down from google earth will show that the interior hasnt just been annoyingly tampered with but entirely removed.
But standing within the cairns centre with grass underfoot, one can still feel cairn material underfoot. This isnt the work of hapless/brainless hill walkers, it was farmer git systematically remodelling it to keep sheep in.
To the north is the huge bulk of Carnedd y Ci , east is the misty peaks of the Berwyns, south is Nant Esgeiriau cairn and hill, and west is the forested slopes of Cwm Pennant.
Directly behind the cairn is a strange squarish arrangement of stones, if i’m reading cofleins notes right it could be a gunpowder store for the exploding quarry monkeys, it looks more like a cist or something to me, but then I do have ancient goggles on at all times.

From Pennant cairn the footpath to Cefn Penagored was clear, but I used the more direct sheep inspired route, thus missing out on Cwm Tywell ring cairn, now I know I’ll have to come back, Gggrrr I make myself so mad sometimes.

Sites within 20km of Pennant cairn

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