Ancient Settlements & Round Huts
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 (awaiting image)
Rhaiadr Bach (A) – Iron Age hut circle settlement – (hills above Aber Falls) Abergwyngregyn SH66746967 (awaiting image)
Rhaiadr Bach (B) – settlement (used as sheepfold) – Abergwyngregyn SH66496941 (awaiting 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 (awaiting image)
Cwm Pen Llafar – 2 Iron Age hut circle settlements (with nearby settlements) – Cwm Pen Llafar, Dyffryn Ogwen SH65986504 / SH65466534 (awaiting image)
Mynydd Du – Iron Age hut circles & enclosures (with nearby settlements) – slopes of Mynydd Du, Dyffryn Ogwen SH65076509 (awaiting image)
Ty’n y Maes – Iron Age hut circle – slopes of Nant Ffrancon, Dyffryn Ogwen SH63976445 (awaiting 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 Circles – (slopes of Moelyci) Rhiwlas SH5869661
Cefn Braich – Romano-British enclosed hut settlement – Rhiwlas SH57456556
Moel Rhiwen summit – Iron Age hut circles – Rhiwlas SH57986446
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
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
Ffridd Glyn – Iron Age hut circle settlements – Llanberis SH56016017
Ty Mawn – Iron Age hut circle (incorporated into a sheepfold) – Llanberis SH57135912
Yr Aelgarth – Iron Age hut circle settlements – Llanberis SH56935867
Ceunant Bach – Iron Age / Romano-British hut circles – Llanberis SH57675878
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
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
near Geulan – 2 hut circles – Nantlle SH52115400
Caeronwy Uchaf settlements (Nantlle)
Caeronwy Uchaf (A) – Romano-British enclosed settlements – Nantlle SH52145437
Caeronwy Uchaf (B) – Iron Age hut circle enclosure – Nantlle SH52075412
Caeronwy Uchaf (C) – Iron Age hut circles – Nantlle SH51965403
Bryn Rhedyn (Ysgubor) – 2 Iron Age hut circles – Y Fron SH51255450
Gwyndy – Iron Age / Roman era enclosed hut group settlement – Carmel SH48915486
Pen Llwyn – Iron Age & Romano-British hut group – Carmel SH48525447
Pen Hafodlas – late Bronze Age enclosed hut circle & settlement – Talysarn SH49135368
Llwyn Du – enclosed circular settlement (obscured by trees) – Penygroes SH47945397
Tyddyn Bach – Romano-British enclosed settlement – Penygroes SH47685407
Penbryn Mawr – late Iron Age / Roman era sub-circular enclosed hut circle settlement – (nr Glynllifon) Penygroes SH46155390
Eithiniog settlements – Medieval Period Deserted Rural Settlement (destroyed enclosure and long huts) – (nr Glynllifon) Penygroes SH45885318
Llwyn y Cogau – Romano-British settlement area (earthwork) – Glynllifon, Groeslon SH46525509
Plas Newydd – Iron Age defensive fort (un-investigated) – Glynllifon, Pontllyfni SH45075419
Bryngwydion – Iron Age defended enclosure (probable / earthwork) – Pontllyfni SH44105342
Graeanog I – Roman / Iron Age settlement – Llanllyfni SH45804938
Graeanog II – Roman era hut circle settlement – Llanllyfni SH45504945
Caerau settlements – Llanllyfni
Caerau I – Romano-British hut group settlement – nr Nazareth, Llanllyfni SH46904892
Caerau II – Romano-British hut group settlement – nr Nazareth, Llanllyfni SH46954884
Bryn Hyfryd (Caerau) – Romano-British hut circle settlements & field systems – nr Nazareth, Llanllyfni SH47054905
Bryn Ffynnon (Caerau) – Iron Age / Roman era hut group settlement – nr Nazareth, Llanllyfni SH47134903
Pengwatadnant (Caerau) – Iron Age sub-circular enclosure – nr Nazareth, Llanllyfni SH47304866
Cwm Bran I (Caerau) – late Iron Age / Romano-British hut group settlement enclosure – nr Nazareth, Llanllyfni SH47214827
Cwm Bran II (Caerau) – Iron Age / Romano-British hut circle – nr Nazareth, Llanllyfni SH47234819
Cwm Bran III (Caerau) – Iron Age / Romano-British enclosed hut group – nr Nazareth, Llanllyfni SH47294815
LLystyn Uchaf – Romano-British enclosed hut group settlement – Bryncir SH48714450
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 (awaiting image)
Ynys Leurad (Cytiau Gwyddelod) – Iron Age hut circle – Valley SH27647889
Castellor – ancient hut settlements – Bryngwran SH33637634 (awaiting 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 (awaiting image)
Bwlch y Dafarn – enclosed multi-period hut settlements (obscured by woodland) – Moelfre SH49288566 (awaiting image)
Bodafon Mountain – 2x Romano-British enclosed hut groups – Moelfre SH47078499 / SH47108508 (awaiting image)
Cae Marh – hut group (late period roundhouse) – (site of Caravan Park) Marianglas SH50158465 (awaiting image)
Caerhoslligwy – enclosed hut group – Benllech SH489851 (awaiting image)
Coed y Glyn / Bwlch – enclosed hut group (poor condition / woodland) – Benllech SH512816 (awaiting 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
Buarth Cyttir – hut circle – Llanddona SH57347955 (awaiting 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
Pont Sarn-Las – ancient hut circle settlement – (nr Bodowyr) Llanidan SH471678
Porthamel – Iron Age / Roman period fortified village & possible Iron Age Druid training school (consisted of 15 roundhouses now obliterated by quarrying and refuse tipping) – Llanedwen SH508679