Pen-y-Castell Hillfort

Also known as:
Lletty-Evan-Hen and Pen y Castell (Ceulanamaesmawr)
Nearest town:
Aberystwyth (11km WSW)
OS reference:
SN689848
OS sheet:
135
Latitude:
52° 26' 41.9 N
Longitude:
3° 55' 44.88 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by GLADMAN

Zoomed at across the cwm from the denuded monument at Tanybryn-Isaf

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jan 13, 2024
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by GLADMAN

To be honest it felt odd to descend to a hill fort... from Bryn Goleu to the south east.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jan 9, 2016
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by GLADMAN

The well defined defence upon northern arc....

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jan 9, 2016
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by GLADMAN

From the south-east...

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jan 9, 2016
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by GLADMAN

At – presumably – the entrance to the east.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jan 9, 2016
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by GLADMAN

As Kammer noted before me, some sections of the bank are quite seriously damaged; however this does afford the opportunity to see how Iron Age defences of this type were constructed.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 6, 2012
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by Kammer

Taken 13th March 2003: On the south side of the fort the ersosion of the ramparts is less dramatic. This photo shows one of a number of large stones that sit within the defenses of the hillfort. They’re not earthfast, but large enough to have been in the area for a long time (possibly used in defensive walls?).

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Mar 16, 2003
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by Kammer

Taken 13th March 2003: On the north side of the fort the rampart is eroded in a  number of places, presumably by the elements and sheep. Here the structure of the rampart is revealad in cross section.

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Mar 16, 2003
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by Kammer

Taken 13th March 2003: On the south side of the fort, looking west south west. I took this photo because I as amazed to see so much Iron Age masonry still evident, even if it is a scattered mess.

The stream running off in the middle distance is Afon Stewi. If it wasn’t covered in forestry we’d be able to see Garn Wen on the hill in the distance (actually less than a mile away).

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Mar 16, 2003
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by Kammer

Taken 13th March 2003:Looking south across the gateway (you can see the gap in the defensive ditch in the foreground). The kerb stone (at east that’s what I’ve chosen to call it) is just visible. In the distance is Blaencastell Farm, and the Rheidol Study Centre.

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Mar 15, 2003
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by Kammer

Taken 13th March 2003: This shot is taken looking across the old gateway, approximately north towards the Banc Mynyddgorddu Windfarm above Bont-Goch.

The stone in the foreground is interesting. I found myself wondering whether it represents the remains of a defensive wall, or possibly the Iron Age equivilant of a kerb stone protecting wooden defensive walls.

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Mar 15, 2003
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by Kammer

Taken 13th March 2003: From the east (or there abouts), here is a shot with the standing stone in the foreground and the fort on the horizon. Strikingly, the stone is on the side of the fort with the gateway on it. This suggests that it would have been significant to whoever built the fort, either because they knew why it had been put there, or because they placed some new Iron Aged significance upon it.

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Mar 15, 2003
Image of Pen-y-Castell Hillfort by Kammer

Taken 15th September 2002: On my way to the Disgwylfa Fach Standing Stone I thought I’d grab this shot of Pen-y-Castell hillfort from the south. The standing stone isn’t visible from this angle.

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Sep 17, 2002

Articles

Pen-y-Castell Hillfort

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Dec 2, 2012

Coming straight from a – it has to be said – magical visit to the Dinas hill fort to the (approx) east... featuring enigmatic warrior burial and glorious views... Pen-y-Castell might well have proved an anti-climax, a disappointment. That it is nothing of the sort could mean I’m easily pleased; or that Pen-y-Castell is simply a great site in its own right? Needless to say this is no doubt a rhetorical question... utterly subjective. For what it’s worth, however, I reckon the latter option holds sway.

For one thing there is no direct comparison between the landscape context of the two sites. Not at all. Passing the llynnau of Blaenmelindwr and Pendam along the Penrhyn-coch road from Ponterwyd, I park up opposite the dwelling of Bryn-goleu. My (library sale) OS map helps, but is not conclusive... I decide the public footpath heading downhill to the left is a better bet than the unmade vehicular track. The thought occurs..... ‘why am I heading down hill to a hillfort?’ Surely this can’t be right? I guess the question is valid at the time. However in short order the hill fort is visible below, rising above the ‘Rheidol Study Centre’ through a break in the forestry. I’m reminded somewhat of Exmoor’s wondrous Cow Castle. Ok, this isn’t in the same league, but then again... what is?

The soggy footpath directs me to tarmac and hence a path following the left hand bank of a small lake, the hill fort rising upon a hill.... funnily enough.... to my left. Ignore the initial gate unless you have fingers of steel – I can not for the life of me open it and am aware that people at the ‘Study Centre’ may well be ‘studying me’ – since there is an ‘official’ entrance a little further along. The ramparts are but a short climb away, an apparently prehistoric monolith yours for the visiting en-route, if that’s your bag.

The setting of the enclosure is sublime, if not as dramatic as the previously mentioned Dinas, with an excellent, open panorama to the west contrasting with encircling hills to the other points of the compass. The natural defences are more than sufficient, the ground falling away sharply except to the east where, as you would expect, the main (only?) entrance is situated. The single bank is more substantial than I expected, albeit subject to significant erosion in places, damage which nevertheless affords an insight into construction techniques, as noted previously by Kammer. Another feature of the site is the presence of a number of boulders of no discernable function; I’ve noticed these at a number of Welsh hillforts... what were they for? Surely some genius out there has a theory? Whatever, Pen-y-Castell provides a fine, evocative hang for a few hours.

So, Pen-y-Castell solves the conundrum of ‘how to follow Dinas’... by being completely different, there being no relevant criteria for comparison. Hey, I can live with that. Still, it’s bloody weird ascending a steep hill on the way BACK from a hill fort to the car. Right on! I can live with that, too.

Pen-y-Castell Hillfort

Kammer
Kammer Mar 17, 2003

Visited 13th March 2000: After one aborted attempt last year, I finally got round to visiting Pen-y-Castell Hillfort on a lunch hour last week. The sharp winter sunlight was beautiful, but it was still very cold and windy once I got to the top.

There’s loads to see up there, especially considering how insignificant the fort is compared to some of its local rivals. The ramparts and ditches are still relatively well defined, especially around the entrance to the east. Modern erosion to the ramparts gives a cut-away view of the stones that make them up, and there are a number of large boulders within the boundaries of the fort that must have served some purpose when it was in use (it’s unlikely that they’ve been lugged up there since).

The most interesting stone that appears to be part of the original fort stand on the north side of the main entrance, where there is a break in the defensive ditch. I found myself wondering whether it represents the remains of a defensive wall, or possibly the Iron Age equivalent of a kerb stone protecting wooden defensive walls from wear and tear.

As I descended the hill and made my way back to the car there were two F15 fighter planes circling overhead, presumably practising for the real thing in Iraq. I pondered the stupidity of it all, and how far mankind (I use this term intentionally) has come since the simple Iron Age defences of Pen-y-Castell. It took the edge off of an otherwise beautiful visit.

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