Moelfre (Glantwymyn)

Nearest town:
Machynlleth (11km W)
OS reference:
SN84809835
OS sheets:
135, 136
Latitude:
52° 34' 13.31 N
Longitude:
3° 41' 59.93 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Moelfre (Glantwymyn) (Round Barrow(s)) by GLADMAN

They sure knew where to put ‘em. Obviously...

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 2, 2024
Image of Moelfre (Glantwymyn) (Round Barrow(s)) by GLADMAN

The great round barrow/cairn(?) at the summit. Yeah, pretty obvious when you consider it... The wondrous Pumlumon peeps above the shoulder of Foel Fadian (which, as well as possessing a fairly substantial barrow of its own, hosts a viewpoint dedicated to the late, great Welsh raconteur Wynford Vaughan-Thomas. Can’t say fairer than that)

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 2, 2024
Image of Moelfre (Glantwymyn) (Round Barrow(s)) by GLADMAN

Gazing towards Southern Snowdonia – Cadair Idris is seen left skyline – from what is clearly a substantial summit barrow/cairn.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 2, 2024
Image of Moelfre (Glantwymyn) (Round Barrow(s)) by GLADMAN

This is what can be seen at the spot depicted upon the map, looking across Bwlch Coch to the excellent Pumlumon outlier Foel Fadian. To be fair, there did appear some manner of circular feature here... and this would be a typically ‘Bronze Age’ location, set below and to the southwest(ish) of the summit. However, there is no doubt in my mind about the mound at the summit.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 2, 2024
Image of Moelfre (Glantwymyn) (Round Barrow(s)) by GLADMAN

The monument can be clearly seen surmounting the 1,539ft summit of Moelfre upon concluding the very sharp ascent from Bwlch Glynmynydd to the (approx) northeast. Note that this is NOT where it is depicted upon current OS mapping... whether there is actually anything – or once was anything – at the said location would appear dubious.

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 2, 2024

Articles

A reminder to always check out the summit of even the lower Welsh hills... you never know,

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 9, 2023

Miscellaneous

Moelfre (Glantwymyn)
Round Barrow(s)
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 8, 2023

There are a number of ‘Moelfre’s across the length and breadth of Wales... hardly surprising, since I understand the name basically means ‘hill’. This one, however, has been on my ‘list’ for some time since it is one of the few featuring that iconic ‘Antiquarian typeface’ on the OS map.

To be fair, however, I arrive at Bwlch Glynmyndd to the north-east more in anticipation of the expected views than archaeological splendour. Needless to say, things are not as straightforward as they may appear from a simple perusal of the map.....

OK, the views ARE magnificent, the deeply riven hills north of Pumlumon forming a twisted, convoluted landscape of sublime aesthetics. However, the expected site of the monument, indicated below and to the southwest of the summit, reveals a ‘possible’ circular feature, probably natural? Certainly nothing to write home about. Fortunately, the views most certainly are..

Eventually, I return to the 1,539ft summit and everything suddenly becomes clear. For here is located what very much looks like a substantial Bronze Age round barrow, more-or-less inviolate. As it happens, the professional archaeologists agree, Coflein noting:

“A barrow, 17.5m in diameter, from 0.7m to 2.7m high, apparently undisturbed. There is no notice of any ditch. [J.Wiles 16.04.02]”

So what of the OS feature? Is this a mistake – plain and simple – or is there indeed something there?

Sites within 20km of Moelfre (Glantwymyn)

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