Roundhouses & Ancient Settlements

By 2500 BC, the early farmers were moving into upland areas where they settled and farmed the area. Archaeological evidence suggests that roundhouses were being occupied from the Middle Bronze Age through to the golden age of circular stone roundhouse settlements during the late Bronze Age.  Stone buildings were occupied from the Iron Age through to the 5th Century AD.

Most roundhouses were gathered in clusters (also called Hut Circles / Hut Groups), some within an enclosure, while some were loosely scattered on hillsides.

Roundhouses were circular structures usually consisting of stone built walls, or wooden posts with wattle-and-daub panels, and a having conical thatched roof. Wattle consists of panels of woven timber plastered by daub, which is a mixture of clay and straw.

The thatched roofing was usually made of water reed and was quite thick. Although they had no chimneys, smoke from the hearth was able to seep through without causing fire. The thatch was supported by a frame of heptagonal-ringed beams of timber lengths with rafters.

Archaeological experiments have ruled out the use of chimneys in roundhouses.

These are just some of those settlements mainly from the late Bronze Age, Iron Age and into the Roman period when the people of the British Isles settled and became Romano-British civilians.

Due to the vast amount of ancient settlements, I have only included  roundhouses & early settlements in the surrounding areas of  mainly North West Gwynedd and Anglesey

I have included an O/S number on all historical sites to enable everyone to locate using an O/S map.

The above images gives you an idea of how roundhouses looked like

LLanfairfechan / Abergwyngregyn

Carreg Fawr homestead – enclosed hut group settlement Iron Age / Romano-British – Llanfairfechan SH68527364

Carreg Fawr enclosure – enclosed Romano-British hut circle settlement – Llanfairfechan SH68547311

Carreg Fawr Hut Group – Romano British enclosed hut circle settlement – Llanfairfechan SH68457335

Cae’r Haidd (nr house) – hut circle homestead – nr Carreg Fawr, Llanfairfechan SH68267340

North Coed y Rhiwiau (nr Cae’r Haidd)  – Iron Age/Roman British hut circle settlements – Llanfairfechan SH68067334

North Coed y Rhiwiau (SW Cae’r Haidd) – Medieval deserted rural settlement – Llanfairfechan SH68067317

Coed y Rhiwiau, (nr Cae’r Haidd) – hut circle & rectangular platform (field system) – Llanfairfechan SH68067307

Bod Silin – late Bronze Age enclosed hut group (nearby field system) – Abergwyngregyn SH677722

Foel Dduarth (North slope) – late Bronze Age hut group – Abergwyngregyn SH682719

Foel Dduarth – late Bronze Age enclosure – (modern structure inside circle) – Abergwyngregyn SH680717

West of Foel Dduarth – Romano–British enclosed settlement – Abergwyngregyn SH677716

Wern y Pandy – hut circles & field systems (multi period) – Abergwyngregyn SH675718

Hafod y Celyn – large enclosed hut group – late Iron Age to possibly Medievel – Abergwyngregyn SH674714

South of Afon Anafon – 2 Romano-British hut circles (nr Foel Dduarth) – Abergwyngregyn SH678710

Anafon Valley – Romano-British hut circle – Abergwyngregyn SH684711

Afon Anafon (north bank) – hut circles – Abergwyngregyn – SH692709

Afon Goch – Iron Age enclosed hut circles – (hills above Aber Falls) – Abergwyngregyn SH67106961 (no image)

Rhaiadr Bach (A) – Iron Age hut circle settlement – (hills above Aber Falls) Abergwyngregyn SH66746967 (no image)

Rhaiadr Bach (B) – settlement (used as sheepfold) – Abergwyngregyn SH66496941 (no image)

Aber Valley / Afon Rhaiadr Fawr – Iron Age hut circle A (excavated site on path near waterfall) & nearby Long Hut (S of hut  A) – Abergwyngregyn SH667703Aber Valley / Afon Rhaiadr Fawr – enclosed hut group – east of Afon Rhaeadr Fawr (near waterfall) – Abergwyngregyn SH667703Aber Valley / Afon Rhaiadr Fawr – Hut Circle B – East of Afon Rhaeadr Fawr – Abergwyngregyn SH667705

Aber Valley / Afon Rhaiadr Fawr – Hut Circle C – (wooded area) east bank of Afon Rhaiadr Fawr – Abergwyngregyn SH665709

Aber Valley / Afon Rhaiadr Fawr –Hut Circle D – east of Afon Rhaeadr Fawr (near lower path) – Abergwyngregyn SH664713

Cae’r Mynydd – Romano-British hut group – Abergwyngregyn SH657713

Ffridd Ddu (A) – Romano-British enclosed settlement – Abergwyngregyn SH654718

Ffridd Ddu (B) – Iron Age hut group (multi period) – Abergwyngregyn SH651713

Crymlyn Oaks (A) – Iron Age /Romano-British enclosed hut group – Abergwyngregyn SH643714

Crymlyn Oaks (B) – hut circle, homestead enclosure & field system near Crymlyn Oaks (nr path) – Abergwyngregyn SH648717

Llanllechid area

Nant Heilyn – possible Bronze Age hut circle – (nr Crymlyn) Llanllechid SH642706

Coed Bronydd Isaf – enclosed circle settlements – (nr Crymlyn) Llanllechid SH63187066

Coed Uchaf – Iron Age enclosed hut group (3 huts) & terraced fields – Llanllechid SH616684

Corbri – late Bronze Age hut circle settlement – Llanllechid SH616687

Rhiw Goch – Iron Age / early medieval small-enclosed settlement – Llanllechid SH617693

Cwm Ffrydlas – enclosed hut circle & settlements – Llanllechid SH643684

Pant y Lladron – prehistoric huts remains – Llanlechid SH642692

Twll Pant Hiriol – Iron Age roundhouse – Llanllechid SH64176882

near Twll Pant Hiriol – Iron Age hut circle and field systems – Llanlechid SH63956888

East of Bryn Hall (nr reservoir) – enclosed hut circles & settlement  – Llanlechid SH639692

Deserted Rural Settlement – remains of Romano British settlements  – Llanlechid SH63646907

Llefn (west slope) – prehistoric enclosed long hut – Llanlechid SH636687

Tan y Bwlch – Iron Age enclosed hut circle – Llanllechid SH63096838

Ty’n Ffridd – hut circles – late Bronze Age enclosed hut settlements – Llannllechid SH62956815

Moel Faban – Iron Age enclosed hut groups (many nearby settlements) – Llanllechid SH630678

Corbri Fields (East Llanllechid settlements)  – many late Bronze Age to Iron Age enclosed hut groups, settlements & field systems – Llanllechid SH627688

(above photos are some of many the settlements of Corbri Fields, East Llanllechid)

Dyffryn Ogwen

Gallt y Mawn – Iron Age hut circle  – Gerlan, Bethesda SH643675

Parc – Iron Age hut circle (ruined by track) – Gerlan, Bethesda SH638668

Tan y Garth – Iron Age enclosed settlement – Gerlan, Bethesda SH637665

Cwm Caseg (Afon Caseg) – Iron Age to later settlements & field system – Cwm Caseg, Dyffryn Ogwen SH657669

Cwm Caseg – Iron Age / Romano-British – scattered hut circles & settlements – Cwm Caseg, Bethesda SH66836711 (no image)

Cwm Pen Llafar – 2 Iron Age hut circle settlements (with nearby settlements) – Cwm Pen Llafar, Dyffryn Ogwen SH65986504 / SH65466534 (no image)

Mynydd Du – Iron Age hut circles & enclosures (with nearby settlements) – slopes of Mynydd Du, Dyffryn Ogwen SH65076509 (no image) 

Ty’n y Maes – Iron Age hut circle – slopes of Nant Ffrancon, Dyffryn Ogwen SH63976445 (no image)

Parc y Gelli – Iron Age / Roman era hut circle settlement – Tregarth SH601684

Cororion Rough – small Roman enclosed settlement – Felin Hen, Tregarth SH594685

Ty’n y Caeau – Iron Age hut group with another nearby possible hut circle – NW Ty’n y Caeau, Tregarth  SH592674

Moelyci Enclosure – enclosed Iron Age / Roman hut circle settlement – Moelyci, Tregarth SH596678

Bryn Cegin – early Iron Age settlements (demolished, now business park site) – Llandygai SH595710

Llanddeiniolen area 

Fodol Ganol – Iron Age enclosed hut group settlement – Pentir SH55046854

Gors y Brithdir – Iron Age / medieval enclosed hut group (rems) – Pentir SH55506888

Gerlan Hut Group – Iron Age hut circle settlement – Tan y Foel, Rhiwlas SH588669

Ty’n Llidiard – Late iron Age to Roman era Hut Circle – (slopes of Moelyci) Rhiwlas SH58696610 (no image)

Cefn Braich – Romano-British enclosed hut settlement – Rhiwlas SH57456556 (no image)

Moel Rhiwen summit – Iron Age hut circles – Rhiwlas SH57986446 (no image)

Moel Rhiwen – deserted rural settlements & long huts – Moel Rhiwen slopes, Rhiwlas SH580649

Bronydd homestead – Iron Age / Romano-British enclosed hut group – Rhiwlas SH577650

Bronydd – settlements & field system – late Bronze Age / Iron Age / Romano-British – Rhiwlas SH577650

Cae’r Mynydd (SW Bronydd) – large circular enclosure – Rhiwlas SH575650

NE of Caer Mynydd – circular enclosed hut group – Rhiwlas SH575649

Cae’r Mynydd (Buarth Beran) – Romano-British enclosed hut circle – (nr Buarth Beran) Rhiwlas SH573647

Buarth Beran – Iron Age hut circle – Rhiwlas SH56996477

Coed y Castell Settlement – Romano-British enclosed hut settlement – Rhiwlas SH568652

Cae Cerrig / Blaen y Cae Uchaf – 2x Romano-British enclosed hut settlement & enclosure – Deiniolen SH57376420 / SH57406416 (no image)

Cae Coch – Iron Age / Romano British hut Group (Enclosed) – Brynrefail SH559634

   

Cae Corniog – late Bronze Age ancient encampment – (nr Dinas Mawr) Penisarwaun SH555636

Cae Dicwm – enclosure (possible remains of an enclosed hut-group) Penisarwaun SH54856412

Waen Rythallt – hut circle settlement – Roman era (not including recent stone built ruin) – Penisarwaun SH54326407

Tan y Coed – Romano-British & early medieval hut groups – (nr Pont Rhythallt) Penisarwaun SH550636

Pen y Groes – Romano enclosed hut group settlement – (nr Glascoed) Llanddeiniolen SH548650

 Cae Bach, Glascoed Ancient Village – enclosed hut settlement – Llanddeiniolen SH547645

Cae Metta – Romano-British enclosed hut settlements (residents from Dinas Dinorwig) – Penisarwaun SH536650

 

Cefn Mawr – Romano-British hut circles – Bethel SH53336524

Rhyd y Galen – 2 hut circles – near Aden, Bethel – SH51436436 / SH51736455

Ty Mawr (A) – enclosed hut circle – (nr Gors Bach) Llanddeiniolen SH551666

Ty Mawr (B) – enclosed settlement (unknown period)– (nr Gors Bach) Llanddeiniolen SH552667

Llanrug / Llanberis

Mur-y-Moch, Clegyr – Iron Age / Romano-British enclosed hut group – Llanrug SH553617

Pen y Bwlch – Iron Age hut group settlement – (nr Mur -y-Moch) , Clegyr, Llanrug SH551615

Gallt y Celyn, Clegyr – Ancient hut settlements – Llanrug SH552614

Parc y Gleision, Cefn Du – Iron Age / Romano-British hut circles – Llanrug SH547616

Carrreglefain, Cefn Du – Iron Age / Romano-British hut circles – Llanrug SH541616

Ty Mawn – Iron Age hut circle – Llanberis SH57135912 (no image)

Yr Aelgarth – Iron Age hut circles – Llanberis SH56935867 (no image)

Ffridd Glyn – Iron Age hut circle – Llanberis SH56016017 (no image)

Ceunant Bach – Iron Age / Romano-British hut circles – Llanberis SH57675878 (no image)

Caernarfon & Llanwnda area

Rhyd Menai – remains of an enclosed hut circle settlement – Caernarfon SH49806493

Coed Glan yr Afon – Romano-British enclosed hut circle – (nr) Bontnewydd SH50325953

Ty Uchaf – Romano-British settlement – Saron, Llanwnda SH46415919

Rhedynog Felen – Iron Age enclosed hut circle – (nr Dinas y Prif) Llanwnda SH464578

Bedd Gwernan – Iron Age defended enclosure (probable) – Llandwrog SH45564

Rhostryfan, Rhosgadfan & Waunfawr area

Bodgarad – late Bronze Age ancient enclosed settlement – Rhostryfan SH502585

Hafotty Newydd – late Bronze Age enclosed hut group – Rhostryfan SH497571

Hafoty Wernlas – probable Romano-British settlement – Rhostryfan SH500582

Hafodty Wernlas (farmhouse) – hut group and field system Roman hut circle settlement – Rhostryfan SH501583

Coed y Brain – Iron Age / Romano-British hut group – Rhostryfan SH493572

Cae’rodyn (A) – possible late Bronze Age hut circle – Rhostryfan SH497572

Cae’rodyn (B) – Romano-British hut circle – Rhostryfan SH495573

Gaerwen Farm – 3 nearby settlements –

– Gaerwen Farm (A) – Circular Enclosure (unknown period, possibly Iron Age) – Rhosgadfan SH50215770

– Gaerwen Farm (B) – Homestead – late Iron Age early medieval enclosure – Rhosgadfan SH50375791

– Gaerwen Farm (C) – Hut Group – Iron Age hut circle settlement (3 huts) – Rhosgadfan SH50505799

Cae’r Sais – Iron Age hut circle – Rhosgadfan SH500572

Penyffridd, Rhosgadfan

Penyffridd (A) – hut circle homestead – Romano-British – Rhosgadfan SH50125691

Penyffridd (B) – hut circle settlement (3 huts) – Romano-British – Rhosgadfan SH50185675

Penyffridd / Tan y Rhiw – hut circle enclosure – Romano-British / early medieval – Rhosgadfan SH50175659

Pen y Bryn Hut Circles – Rhosgadfan (near viewpoint)

Pen y Bryn (A) – enclosed hut group (4 huts) quadrilateral enclosure – Iron Age / Roman – Rhosgadfan SH51115842

Pen y Bryn (B) – 2 Hut Circles – Iron Age / Roman era – Rhosgadfan SH51025838

Pen y Bryn (C) – hut Circle & long huts settlement & field system – Iron Age / Roman era – Rhosgadfan SH51085854

Erw – enclosed hut circle settlements – Rhosgadfan SH50685898

Bryn Mair – Iron Age hut circle – Rhosgadfan SH515588

Llwyn Bedw – late Bronze Age enclosed hut circle – Waunfawr SH52835822 (no image)

Dyffryn Nantlle areas

Drws y Coed – late Iron Age / Romano-British settlement – (nr) Dyffryn Nantlle SH546536

Gelli Ffrydiau (A) – Romano-British enclosed hut circle settlement – Nantlle SH521537

Gelli Ffrydiau (B) – Romano-British hut circles (rems) / field system – Nantlle SH523539

Geulan – Iron Age hut circle – Nantlle  SH51995390 (no image)

Caeronwy Uchaf (A) – Romano-British enclosed settlements – Nantlle SH52145437 (no image)

Caeronwy Uchaf (B) – Iron Age hut group – Nantlle SH51965403 & SH52075412 (no image) 

Ysgubor, Bryn Rhedyn – 2 Iron Age hut circles (scattered) – Y Fron SH51255450 (no image)

Pen Llwyn – Iron Age & Romano-British hut group – (nr Cilgwyn) Carmel SH48525447 (no image)

Pen Hafodlas – late Bronze Age enclosed hut circle & settlement – Talysarn SH49135368 (no image)

Llwyn Du – enclosed circular settlement (undated) – Penygroes SH47945397 (no image)

Tyddyn Bach – Romano-British enclosed settlement – Penygroes SH47685407 (no image)

Llwyn y Cogau – Romano-British settlement area (earthwork) – Glynllifon, Groeslon SH46525509 (no image)

Plas Newydd – Iron Age defensive fort (un-investigated) – Glynllifon, Pontllyfni SH45075419 (no image)

Bryngwydion – Iron Age defended enclosure (probable / earthwork) – Pontllyfni SH44105342 (no image)

Caerau settlements – Romano-British hut group settlement – nr Nazareth, Llanllyfni SH46954884 (no image)

Cwm Bran – Romano-British hut group settlement – nr Nazareth, Llanllyfni SH47214827 (no image)

Graeanog – Roman / Iron Age settlement – Llanllyfni SH45804938 (no image)

Anglesey

Mynydd y Twr – (Holyhead Mountain Hut Group) – prehistoric hut circles settlement – Holyhead SH211820

 

Ty Mawr – (Holyhead Mountain Hut Group) – Iron Age hut group – Holyhead SH213821

Capel Llochwydd – Iron Age enclosed hut circles & nearby enclosure – Holyhead SH214828

Porth Dafarch (Cytiau’r Gwyddelod) – Iron Age hut group settlements (multi period) – Trearddur SH233800

Hafod yr Rhos (Cytiau’r Gwyddelod) – hut settlement –Trearddur SH22958096

Tre-Arddur – early Iron Age enclosed hut group – Trearddur SH26277988 (no image)

Ynys Leurad (Cytiau Gwyddelod) – Iron Age hut circle – Valley SH27647889 (no image)

Castellor – ancient hut settlements – Bryngwran SH33637634 (no image)

Din Lligwy – Iron Age & Romano-British defensive settlement – Moelfre SH495862

Parc Salmon – hut group (possible later period) – nr Din Lligwy, Moelfre SH49978615

Glan’r Afon – hut circle – late period roundhouse (obscured by woodland) – Llangallo, Moelfre SH50088547 (no image)

Bwlch y Dafarn – enclosed multi-period hut settlements (obscured by woodland) – Moelfre SH49288566 (no image)

Bodafon Mountain – 2x Romano-British enclosed hut groups – Moelfre SH47078499 / SH47108508 (no image)

Cae Marh – hut group (late period roundhouse) – (site of Caravan Park) Marianglas SH50158465 (no image)

Caerhoslligwy – enclosed hut group – Benllech SH489851 (no image)

Coed y Glyn / Bwlch – enclosed hut group (poor condition / woodland) – Benllech SH512816 (no image)

Pant y Saer (Cytiau Gwyddelod) – Iron Age / Romano-British enclosed hut group (wooded area) – Benllech SH513824

Mariandyrys – enclosed multi-period hut settlement – Llanddona SH59668123 (no image)

Buarth Cyttir – hut circle – Llanddona SH57347955 (no image)

Pentre Felin – hut group Roman era – Glan yr Afon, Llangoed SH611807

Penmon Deer Park Settlement – hut circle settlement – Penmon SH627810

Penmon Deer Park (north) – hut group settlements & field system – Penmon SH629811

Penmon deer park (west) – hut circle settlement & field system late Iron Age / Romano-British – Penmon SH625803

Tyddyn Sadler – enclosed hut group – Llangristiolus SH41127373 (no image)

Pont Sarn-Las – ancient hut circle settlement – (nr Bodowyr) Llanidan SH471678

Some areas may be on private land and permission to roam may be required.

 There are public footpaths leading to most places.

Safety and care must be taken at all times, as some areas are difficult to get to due to hills and slopes that may lead away from paths.