Stone Circles / Henges
The construction of stone circles began sometime during the late Neolithic and continued through into the Bronze Age. It was after 2500 BC that circles of standing stones became increasingly popular in Britain, with many stone circles erected within an existing ‘henge’. It has proven difficult to date these monuments accurately as there are no other archaeological artefacts associated with the stone circles.
The ‘Druids Circle’ above Penmaenmawr is one of many stone circles that are scattered across the landscape of Tan y Fan, it is the most well known and the best example of stone circles we have in this part of North Wales. Although it is called ‘Druids Circle’, it has no relevant connection to the ancient Druids as the stone circle predates them by a few thousand years.
Below is a list of local Stone Circles & Henges
I have included an O/S number on all historical sites to enable everyone to locate using an O/S map.
Tre’r Dryw Bach – sacred circle (now destroyed, possible oval rems. of a ditch) – Brynsiencyn, Anglesey SH464671
image: William Stukeley c.1740
Castell Bryngwyn – Neolithic henge / defence enclosure earthwork Multi period (Neolithic 2500-2000BC to Roman Period) – Llanidan, Anglesey SH465670
Llandygai – Neolithic ceremonial monuments and two henges (destroyed by industrial estate) – Llandygai SH594710
Llandygai Cursus & Henge – aerial image by CUCAP 1960 (c)
Moel Faban – Bronze Age double ring cairns – Llanllechid SH637681
Ring Cairn A – upright slabs with a large encircling bank of earth and stones / Ring Cairn B – stone covered burial cairn (possible)
(There is no visible connection between these circles and are often confused with possible round huts)
Llyn Cwmffynnon Circle – Bronze Age stone circle (situated in a wetland near the lake) nr Pen y Pass, Dyffryn Mymber SH65055646
Cors y Carneddau Circle, Cefn Coch – stone circle (9 stones) – Penmaenmawr SH718746
Druid’s Circle – early Bronze Age stone circle and standing stones – Penmaenmawr SH723746
Monument 280 – Megalithic stone circle ring cairn (near Druid’s Circle) – Penmaenmawr SH722746
Circle 278 – Bronze Age ring cairn (near Druid’s Circle) – Penmaenmawr SH721746
Circle 275 “Little Druid” – late Bronze Age stone circle (5 stones) – Penmaenmawr SH725747
Red Farm Circle (Bryn Derwydd) – stone circle – Penmaenmawr SH732750
Hafodty Circle – Bronze Age stone circle – (nr Henryd) Conwy SH747753
Cerrig Pryfaid – Bronze Age stone circle (10 stones) – (nr) Rowen SH724713
Hwyfa’r Ceirw – stone avenue alignment (possible ancient path) – Great Orme SH765840
(A 90m long avenue of two parallel lines of stones leading to a steep hollow leading down the cliff)
Llyn Eiddew – Bronze Age ring cairn – (nr) Talsarnau, Harlech SH646349
Bryn Cader Faner – an impressive Bronze Age cairn stone circle, with 18 jagged slabs – (nr) Talsarnau, Harlech SH647352
Moel Ty Uchaf – Bronze Age stone circle – (43 kerb stones) – Llandrillo Denbighshire SJ05603717
Tyfos Uchaf stone circle – Bronze Age round barrow (cairn circle) – Llandrillo, Denbighshire SJ02853876
Brenig 44 ring cairn – Bronze Age ring cairn (round barrow) – Llyn Brenig, Denbighshire SH98335720
Brenig 51 platform cairn – Bronze Age platform cairn / round barrow – Llyn Brenig, Denbighshire SH98985656
Brenig 46 – Bronze Age burial cairn – Llyn Brenig, Denbighshire SH98575690
Brenig 8 Kerb Cairn – Bronze Age Kerb Cairn – Llyn Brenig, Denbighshire SH98795635
