Castell Bwa-Drain

Nearest town:
Aberystwyth (14km W)
OS reference:
SN713795
OS sheets:
135, 147
Latitude:
52° 23' 52.5 N
Longitude:
3° 53' 30.48 W
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Images

Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The beautiful Cwm Rheidol. Pendinas hillfort near Aberystwyth is distant top right. The Vale of Rheidol steam railway runs along the hillside on the opposite of the valley.

Image credit: A. Brookes (18.5.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jul 7, 2024
comment 2 comments
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The view south down to Cwm Rheidol.

Image credit: A. Brookes (18.5.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jul 7, 2024
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Looking out over the western rampart.

Image credit: A. Brookes (18.5.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jul 7, 2024
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Western rampart. Gelli round barrow is on the hill to the left.

Image credit: A. Brookes (18.5.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jul 7, 2024
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The hillfort seen from the northwest, on the approach from Gelli (Melindwr) round barrow.

Image credit: A. Brookes (18.5.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jul 7, 2024
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by juamei

Image Credit: Natural Resources Wales

Image credit: LiDAR Composite Dataset. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v2.0.
juamei
juamei Mar 25, 2018
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The hillfort is slightly left of centre, emphasising the rugged rock outcrops of the ridge. The hill over on the far left has a substantial round barrow on it.

Image credit: A. Brookes (19.4.2015)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Apr 28, 2015
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The hillfort is centre skyline. Seen from the Vale of Rheidol railway.

Image credit: A. Brookes (19.4.2015)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Apr 28, 2015
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The hillfort is positioned on the skyline hilltop, high above the Afon Rheidol.

Image credit: A. Brookes (19.4.2015)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Apr 28, 2015
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by Kammer

Taken 21st September 2003: This shot is intended to show one of the hut platforms within the defenses of Castell Bwa-Drain, in this instance being used for a picnic. This platform is cut into the slope on the eastern of the highest outcrop, presumably placed here so that it would be sheltered from the prevailing wind (also the case at Pendinas).

In the foreground is Richard, William and the two babies (Alfie and Felix) plus Bob the dog. In the distance is Banc Bwa-Drain, with it’s little windfarm (a very good place to view Castell Bwa-Drain from). The buildings above everyone’s heads are Bwa-Drain farm.

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer May 3, 2004
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by Kammer

Taken 22nd September 2002: Shot from the west of the fort, from a rocky outcrop that doesn’t appear to be part of the fort itself (surely an ideal place to attack from).

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Sep 23, 2002
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by Kammer

Taken 22nd September 2002: Here’s another shot to give you a idea just how spectacular the views are from the fort. This is taken looking south (or near enough). The slag on the far side of the Rheidol Gorge is from 19th century lead and silver mining, and the line above it is the track for the Vale of Rheidol railway. I know I keep saying this, but the valley floor is 300 metres below the hillfort!

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Sep 23, 2002
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by Kammer

Taken 22nd September 2002: I’m not mad on hillforts, but this photo gives you an idea why I keep coming back to Bwa Drain (apart from the fact it’s on my doorstep). This shot is taken from the fort looking west, and you can clearly see the Rheidol and the Cwm Rheidol Reservoir on the valley floor (300 metres below). You might just be able to make out Pendinas hillfort on the coast (almost above William’s head). Apologies for the absence of a sea view, it was a hazy day when I took this.

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Sep 23, 2002
Image of Castell Bwa-Drain (Hillfort) by Kammer

Taken 22nd September 2002: This is the hillfort (approximately) from the north, taken from the road that runs across the Banc Bwa Drain commonland. You could really do with the third dimension here. From this photo you don’t get an accurate impression of distance between the fort and the trees on the other side of the Rheidol Gorge (behind it).

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Sep 23, 2002

Articles

Castell Bwa-Drain

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 24, 2010
comment 1 comment

Dawn upon the flanks of Pumlumon makes it clear that visits to Banc Llechwedd-mawr, Drosgol... or even Dinas... will have to wait for another day. Clearly yesterday’s weather window, allowing a visit to Pen Pumlumon-Arwystli’s cairns, has been comprehensively slammed shut with a vengeance! That’s yer lot.

So, what was the name of that hillfort Kammer liked so much, then? OK...nice name.. hopefully a visit here will save the day from going down the proverbial drain. So, a steep, single track road heads south from the A44 towards Ystumtuen, from where an equally minor route heads beneath the transmitter upon Ffynnon Wen to Bwa-Drain farm. Here it is necessary to open a gate to proceed further. This I do, parking beside a field gate proclaiming no entry due to a dangerous excavation of some kind or other. Beyond rise what appear to be quite substantial ramparts of a pretty impressive hillfort. Nice. If only I had the weather to match, instead of this driving, horizontal rain. Then again if I had, I wouldn’t be here, would I? Damn the logic, but the sensible part of Gladman is right. Luckily the ‘other’ part is not so sensible and happy to venture out in the storm....

I head a little way back down the road to the farm and take the short public footpath towards the site, encountering the ruined building Kammer mentions en route. The hillfort is a classic promontory fort, a quite powerful rampart isolating the enclosure from the hinterland to the north, east and west (approx), the gorge of Cwm Rheidol all that was thought – and by any accounts was – necessary to defend the south. And what a gorge! Despite the swirling mist and downpour, the view of The Afon Rheidol looking along the valley to the west is breathtaking, it really is. And to think this splendid river has its source within Llyn Llygad-Rheidol beneath Pen Pumlumon Fawr. Ha! Several handsome ponies eye me suspiciously as I walk the ramparts – as well they might – but clearly decide I can be ignored. So what’s new?

A shrill whistle and a stream of smoke – not easy to distinguish from the swirling cloud – announce the arrival of one of Wales’ ‘little trains’ across the cwm, the punters on board no doubt none too pleased at the weather outside. Hey, but perched up here, despite the rain lancing straight into my face to find every minute gap in my defences, I find I have fallen in love with Castell Bwa-Drain. What appear to be natural rocky outcrops look to have been utilsed by the original occupants as additional, outer defences, together with two ‘spurs’ to the north.

I leave hammered, yet happy. No photos, but then this visit was perhaps something that was supposed to be of the moment. Or something like that.

comment 1 Comment

Castell Bwa-Drain

Kammer
Kammer Feb 4, 2003

The road from Ystumtuen to Bwa-Drain farm is gated, so by car it’s easier to approach from the north. Don’t be put off by the sign saying the road is private. I’ve checked with Ceredigion County Council, and this isn’t the case. You can park near the farm, although there’s not much space (make sure you leave enough room for farm traffic to get through).

The footpath that runs past the hillfort starts just to the west of the farm. You cross a strange little wooden bridge over the stream before going through a gate and along the edge of the field. At the corner of the field you’re supposed to stay to the north of the trees and keep to the west of the ruined farm house (called Pen-castell), but it’s well worth taking a peek at the ruin. It’s only a Nineteenth Century building, but its state of decay is fascinating (obviously, don’t go inside). After this you pass over a stile and you’re in the same field as the fort. The footpath goes to the east of the fort, so at this stage you have to deviate from it. You can’t miss the earthen banks of the fort, and there’s a gap in the defences orientated in your direction.

The views from the fort are spectacular, especially looking west down the Rheidol valley. You can see the sea, and Aberystwyth, without much difficulty. You can also make out Pendinas with the chimney-like monument on top of it. Look out for steam trains in the valley below you in the summer.

Miscellaneous

Castell Bwa-Drain
Hillfort
Kammer
Kammer Sep 23, 2002

I’ve posted a rather hazy photo of Pendinas hillfort, taken from Bwa-Drain with a telephoto lense, the point being that there’s the potential for people at one site to communicate with the other. There is also intervisibility between Pendinas and Esgair Nantyrarian (SN710817).

Sites within 20km of Castell Bwa-Drain

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