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How and why the ancients enchanted Great Britain and Brittany

Iron Age Britain, Barry Cunliffe

Iron Age Britain, Barry Cunliffe

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<< Our Photo Pages >> Penycloddiau - Hillfort in Wales in Flintshire

Submitted by postman on Monday, 29 September 2014  Page Views: 41907

Iron Age and Later PrehistorySite Name: Penycloddiau Alternative Name: Pen-y-Cloddiau
Country: Wales County: Flintshire Type: Hillfort
Nearest Town: Northop  Nearest Village: Pen-y-felin
Map Ref: SJ1290067610  Landranger Map Number: 116
Latitude: 53.198408N  Longitude: 3.305297W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
4 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
3 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
4

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Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : Bronze age cairn restored in 2010, right in at the north end of the fort. A spot of sunshine in North Wales, I'm holding my breath. (Vote or comment on this photo)
The hillfort of Penycloddiau in Flintshire covers some 21 hectares with the highest point 440 metres above sea level, and forms part of a chain of hillforts in the Clwydian Range of Mountains. The Bronze Age cairn (pictured) at the north end of the fort was restored in 2010,

Most of the fort is defended by a single bank, which in places is made solely of stone. There are 4 ramparts at the northern end where they help cover a less defendable area.

Like many hillforts there is an inturned entrance, which is at the southern end of the location. Many hut circles are recorded but are now under heather and bilberry.

The boundary with Denbighshire actually runs along its western rampart.

An outstanding aerial picture of the fort is worth a look to get an idea of the area coveredt; the rampart is shown here.
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Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : Bronze age cairn restored in 2010, right in at the north end of the fort. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by dodomad : A photo of the Penycloddiau excavations by leader Dr Rachel Pope (Vote or comment on this photo)

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : on the southern side (Vote or comment on this photo)

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by andcampbell : Penycloddiau looking northwest (Vote or comment on this photo)

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by andcampbell : Penycloddiau taken from the air lookin east. Moel Arthur can be seen in the top right corner

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by TimPrevett : Penycloddiau hillfort, with Moel Arthur hillfort, as seen from the summit of Moel Famau on the Clwydian Range of mountains. The ramparts of both hillforts can be seen - Penycloddiau's more obviously. From the top of Moel Famau, four hillforts can be seen in reasonable detail.

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by TimPrevett : The enormous Penycloddiau Hillfort, as seen from north west, from The Gop. It covers some 52 acres, and forms part of a chain of hillforts in the Clwydian Range of Mountains. A line of earthwork defences can be made out running across the central mountain.

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : Looking south on the east side to Moel Arthur.

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : The east facing entrance, with some excavations extant.

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : Bronze age cairn restored in 2010, right in at the north end of the fort.

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : Rounding the corner on the north west section.

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : Double ramparts on the western side.

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : Looking south along the western ramparts to Moel Arthur, the next fort along the Clwyd range.

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : Further along the southern side, whining kids precluded a complete circuit

Penycloddiau
Penycloddiau submitted by postman : Impressive defences on the northern side.

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 1.7km SE 131° Moel Arthur, Boundary Stone Marker Stone (SJ1418366454)
 2.3km SE 133° Moel Arthur* Hillfort (SJ1453266040)
 3.8km S 173° Ffynnon Cynhafal* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SJ133638)
 3.9km E 86° Penbedw Park Standing Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SJ168678)
 4.1km E 81° Penbedw Park Tumulus* Round Barrow(s) (SJ17006819)
 4.2km E 85° Penbedw Park* Stone Circle (SJ17126793)
 4.6km NW 312° Moel-y-Gaer (Bodfari)* Hillfort (SJ09527080)
 5.5km E 79° Pen-Y-Gelli* Round Barrow(s) (SJ18316851)
 5.7km E 88° Ffynnon Leinw Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SJ18636767)
 5.9km NW 324° Cefn Du Ancient Village or Settlement (SJ0956272450)
 6.2km NNE 22° Waen Isaf Round Barrow(s) (SJ153733)
 6.2km SSE 161° Moel-y-Gaer (Loggerheads)* Hillfort (SJ14866175)
 6.5km SW 228° St Dyfnog's Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SJ0798263347)
 6.5km E 82° Hendre Farm Round Barrow(s) (SJ19426838)
 6.6km NW 315° St Beuno's Well (Tremeirchion)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SJ083723)
 6.6km NW 317° Ffynnon Beuno (Caves)* Cave or Rock Shelter (SJ0849972500)
 6.6km NW 317° Cae Gwyn* Cave or Rock Shelter (SJ0843972501)
 6.6km NE 41° Plas Captain* Cairn (SJ17367253)
 6.7km NNW 335° Coed Bron Fawr* Barrow Cemetery (SJ10167372)
 6.7km NE 43° Llwyn Erddyn* Ring Cairn (SJ17567249)
 6.8km SSE 153° Bwlch Penbarra Marker Stone (SJ1584661500)
 6.9km NW 323° Penuchaf Cairn (SJ08837315)
 6.9km NNE 27° Gatehouse Farm Round Barrow(s) (SJ162737)
 7.0km NNE 19° Babell Round Barrow(s) (SJ153742)
 7.1km SSE 153° Coed Clwyd Cairns* Burial Chamber or Dolmen (SJ16026127)
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"Penycloddiau" | Login/Create an Account | 22 News and Comments
  
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Penycloddiau New Findings by Runemage on Wednesday, 09 January 2019
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This could be the excavation to turn the image of hillforts as fortifications upside-down, or at least this one. The original ramparts were discovered to be only 90cm tall and the programme explores later techniques of wall construction and possible uses for the site.

See BBC iplayer 'Digging for Britain' presented by Alice Roberts available until 18 Jan 2019.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0001kxh/digging-for-britain-series-7-4-iron-age-revealed

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Re: Penycloddiau by sem on Thursday, 01 June 2017
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Coflein (re Bronze Age cairn) "The general conclusions, despite the lack of dating evidence, was that the mound was a former Bronze Age burial cairn although it was heavily disturbed in later times by the erection of a triangulation point and a walker's cairn."
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Penycloddiau - A Hillfort So Big It’s Just Mad by Andy B on Friday, 09 October 2015
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Howard M. R. Williams visits:
https://howardwilliamsblog.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/penycloddiau-a-hillfort-so-big-its-just-mad/
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More countryside events in Denbighshire by Andy B on Wednesday, 16 May 2012
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Search and browse for more countryside events in Denbighshire at

http://www.denbighshirecountryside.org.uk/events/
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Round the County walk 9, Clwyd Gate to Llangwyfan, 30th Aug 2012 by Andy B on Wednesday, 16 May 2012
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Round the County 9, Clwyd Gate to Llangwyfan

Date: 30.08.2012 Time: 10am - 4pm

Type: Walking

Walking Difficulty: 3 Shoes - Difficult (Long & strenuous, uneven, steep terrain)

This 7 mile walk will follow the Offa's Dyke Path along the heather moorland ridge of the Clwydian Range, including visits to 2 Iron Age Hillforts and the Jubilee Tower. Meet at Llangwyfan Car Park, at the highest point of the minor road between Llangwyfan and Nannerch. SJ139669. Transport provided to the start of the walk.

Booking is required for this event. Call 01352 810614 to book or email loggerheads.countrypark@denbighshire.gov.uk
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Explore one of the largest hillforts in Wales this weekend - Sunday 20th May by Andy B on Tuesday, 15 May 2012
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On Sunday 20th May, Erin Robinson is leading a guided walk to explore the massive hillfort of Penycloddiau on the Denbighshire-Flintshire border in north east Wales.

The hillfort, translated as ‘hill of the ditches’, spans 21 hectares and sits within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The hillfort is thought to date back to the Iron Age, around 2500 years ago, and is made up of huge banks and ditches, hand-dug by residents of the area to create a massive enclosure atop the hill.

The walk will visit the hillfort and also the surrounding area, walking from Coed Llangwyfan, between Denbigh and Nannerch, following Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail, through the hillfort (which from one end to the other measures half a mile) and then heading east into the Flintshire countryside surrounding the monument.

The walk will also include a visit to the reconstructed Bronze Age burial mound which sits at the summit of Penycloddiau and was excavated by archaeologists in 2009, dating back around 4000 years.

The walk will be led by both an archaeologist and a moorland officer, to guide visitors through both the hillfort and the heather moorland it sits within, including information on the important agricultural practices in the area and the upland birds, such as the rare black grouse, meadow pipits and skylarks.

The 5 mile circular walk will meet at Coed Llangwyfan car park, off the Nannerch to Llangwyfan road, SJ139668 at 10.30am. Booking is essential by telephoning 01352 810614 or emailing loggerheads.countrypark@denbighshire.gov.uk
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Heather and Hillforts on Internet Radio Thurs 6th October 2011 by Anonymous on Monday, 03 October 2011
Erin Robinson, The Heather & Hillforts officer will be joining me in the studio on my radio show, "History and Mystery" this Thursday 9-11pm, BST. The show (without music) will be available on Listen Again for 6 weeks afterwards.

It's on RedShift Radio - visit this link and click listen live.
http://www.redshiftradio.co.uk/Programme_Schedule

There's also a Facebook page for the show - see here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/History-and-Mystery-on-RedShift-Radio-with-Tim-Prevett/165410710191853?ref=ts
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Heather and Hillforts Audio Trails and leaflet by Andy B on Tuesday, 19 July 2011
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Heather and Hillforts Audio Trails and leaflet
http://www.heatherandhillforts.co.uk/index.php/en/galleriesphotos-a-video/audio-tours1
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Heather and Hillforts exhibition at Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, Bangor by Andy B on Thursday, 29 July 2010
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Heather and Hillforts
July 31— 18 September

How do we interpret landscapes? The Heather and Hillforts Project brings together archaeologists, environmentalists and artists. Each in turn increases our understanding and appreciation of the hillforts of the Clwydian Range. Archaeological drawings, aerial photographs and paintings with field notes and finds from excavations carried out by Bangor University are just some of the ways this remarkable landscape has been interpreted.

Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, Bangor
http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?cat=4528&doc=15788&Language=1

With thanks to Coldrum
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Penycloddiau Audio Tour points are now available online by Andy B on Tuesday, 27 July 2010
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Erin writes: The Penycloddiau Audio Tour points are now available online to play on your computer or to download to your desktop or mp3 player!

The Audio Trail, which guides users 'back in time' from Coed Llangwyfan to Penycloddiau hillfort on the Clwydian Range, was launched on the 26th July [I wish I could have come to the launch party, was there free beer? MegP Ed]

Click on the links below to access the points:

Cymraeg: http://www.heatherandhillforts.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=54&Itemid=84&lang=cy>

English: http://www.heatherandhillforts.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=54&Itemid=84&lang=en>
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Re: Heather and Hillforts project on BBC Radio Wales and Iplayer by Erin on Tuesday, 08 June 2010
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Here is the link to iPlayer from the above article. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00smrws/Country_Focus_06_06_2010/
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Heather and Hillforts project on BBC Radio Wales and Iplayer by Andy B on Saturday, 05 June 2010
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The Heather and Hillforts project will feature on this week's Country Focus programme on BBC Radio Wales, Sunday 7.30am, repeated on Monday morning at 5.30am.

(You will be able to listen again at a more sociable hour on BBC iPlayer too!)

A project to improve the natural and historic landscape of a special part of North East Wales is now entering its third and final year. Heather and Hillforts project holds the footprint of past communities and cultures. An exceptional chain of Iron Age hillforts dominates the skyline. At certain times of year it's a purple spine awash with heather, providing both essential grazing for sheep and a habitat of European significance. Sian Pari Huws visits this natural and historic heritage of the Clwydian Range and Llantysilio Mountains which creates a truly unique landscape.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/countryfocus/updates/20100606.shtml
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More on Penycloddiau by Andy B on Saturday, 13 February 2010
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In 2004 CPAT carried out a togographical survey of the site
http://www.heatherandhillforts.co.uk/images/stories/pdf/cpat_report_820.pdf

More reports and information on the Heather and Hillforts page
http://www.heatherandhillforts.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=103%3Apenycloddiau-dig-in-deeper&catid=9%3Ahillforts&Itemid=15&lang=en
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Excavation uncovers 3,500 year old Bronze Age North Wales burial mound by Andy B on Sunday, 21 June 2009
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A Bronze Age burial mound, thought to be at least 3,500 years old, has been discovered in Penycloddiau, Denbighshire.
The ancient resting place was discovered in an excavation of the Penycloddiau Iron Age hillfort, which lies between Llandyrnog and Nannerch, by the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust.

The mound had been heavily eroded by the Offa's Dyke trail, which runs across the top of it and through the centre of the hillfort.

Although no dating evidence was found, archaeologists could distinguish the mound as being Bronze Age.

One of the most obvious discoveries was a 'robbers' trench' -a large hole where the burial should have been - including a rectangular shape cut into the bedrock directly underneath the trench.

Samantha Williams, hillforts conservation officer said: "Unfortunately for us, they were really good and took everything away, rather than looking simply for treasure."

Source:
http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/Excavation-uncovers-3500-year-old.5343169.jp
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Re: Penycloddiau by Anonymous on Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Penycloddiau Hillfort on the Clwydian Range is one of the most visited Iron Age hillforts in the area and during May walkers on the site near Llangwyfan will get the chance to see an archaeological excavation taking place.
The excavation is part of the Heather and Hillforts Project and it is taking place to record archaeological information before it is lost through erosion. The Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail runs right through the centre of the hillfort and many people walk along this each year. A small mound at the northern end of the fort in particular is being worn away. Excavations last year showed that this may be a Bronze Age burial mound about 4000 years old. The work this year will see a larger excavation to record the mound and with luck show that it is an ancient burial mound, prior to its reconstruction.
Visitors will get the chance to see the excavation and meet archaeologists from the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust who are carrying out the work. There will be a series of guided walks which will take place on May 17th, 18th and 20th, and will give information about life on the hillside 2500 years ago as well as an opportunity to meet the archaeologists!
Walks will begin at Coed Llangwyfan car park (SJ 139668) and will be led by the Hillfort Conservation Officer Samantha Williams, who commented, “These guided walks will give visitors the chance to learn more about the history of the hillfort, see an excavation taking place and meet the archaeologists carrying out the work.”
The guided walks will last approximately two hours. They will begin at 10:45am on Sunday May 17th and 2pm on Monday 18th and Wednesday 20th and there is no need to book. The excavation work is weather dependent.
The three year Heather and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Scheme is developing a £2.3 million initiative for upland conservation work and has received a grant of £1.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
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Heather and Hillforts Photo Competition by Andy B on Friday, 27 February 2009
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Get Clicking! Competition

"Send us your best photographs of the Heather and Hillforts area and your picture could be featured in the 2010 calendar!"

The theme is “Heather and Hillforts”.

A photograph of any feature/landscape within the Heather and Hillforts area is eligible.

The competition is open to participants worldwide, of any age.

The winner's photograph will be featured in the 2010 Heather and Hillforts Calendar with a full credit and reference.

Deadline: Monday 13th July 2009

The winner will be announced at the Denbigh and Flint Show on 20th August 2009

Details at
http://www.heatherandhillforts.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=152%3Aget-clicking-competition&catid=18%3Ageneral&lang=en
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Re: Denbighshire's Heather and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Project by Andy B on Wednesday, 09 August 2006
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See also Caer Drewyn
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=5967
and do they mean Foel Fenlli, not Moel Fenlli, or are we missing a hill fort from our database?
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=5973
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    Re: Denbighshire's Heather and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Project by Andy B on Thursday, 06 November 2008
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    As far as I can tell, Foel Fenlli and Moel Fenlli are the same site...
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      Re: Denbighshire's Heather and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Project by Anonymous on Tuesday, 12 May 2009
      Hello,

      Moel Fenlli and Foel Fenlli are the same hillfort. The change in the first letter is down to the complexities and delights of the wonderful welsh language, as letters often mutate depending on the word and its context. For the project we chose to refer to the hillfort at Moel Fenlli as Fenlli is apparently a Giant and Moel would be the masculine version of the word, Foel the feminine.

      Erin
      Heather and Hillforts Interpretation Officer
      [ Reply to This ]

Denbighshire's Heather and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Project by Andy B on Wednesday, 09 August 2006
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Denbighshire's Heather and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Project has arranged a series of free training days on archeological surveying techniques to en-courage people to learn more about their landscape.

Run by archaeologists, the sessions will cover aspects of how to help discover the history of a site, while carefully conserving the area. The first session will take place on Moel Fenlli on August 30 with training days also at Caer Drewyn on September 2 and at Pen-y-Cloddiau on September 3.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Denbighshire County Council, and Cadwyn Clwyd through the Leader Plus Programme, the Heather and Hillforts Project has recently won a European Europa Nostra award for its research and study programme.

Previous survey of the hillforts in the project area have found 90 previously unrecorded archaeological features within the hillforts.

More: IC North Wales, Heather and Hillforts Project web site.
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Re: Penycloddiau by TimPrevett on Sunday, 10 October 2004
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BBC Local Site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/celts/pages/moel_y_cloddiau.shtml
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