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Stonehenge Sacred Symbolism - Ancient Beliefs in Britain and Northern Europe

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<< Our Photo Pages >> Gwal y Filiast - Chambered Tomb in Wales in Carmarthenshire

Submitted by vicky on Thursday, 12 November 2020  Page Views: 35003

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Gwal y Filiast Alternative Name: Bwrdd Arthur
Country: Wales County: Carmarthenshire Type: Chambered Tomb
Nearest Town: St Clears  Nearest Village: Llanboidy
Map Ref: SN17052564  Landranger Map Number: 145
Latitude: 51.899190N  Longitude: 4.660533W
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
 3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 5 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
 3

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I have visited· I would like to visit

jess TheDuke SolarMegalith KieKa emh504 Gryffincoch would like to visit

Couplands visited on 16th Oct 2023 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 5 Access: 3

Seb4253 visited on 10th Oct 2022 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 3 Lots has already been said about this fascinating site, a few brief observations of my own however: -If this was intended to a "tomb" of some kind - why is it barley long enough to accommodate me ( and i'm pretty short ) laying down. As is the case for many cromlechs I've encountered ? -ive noticed the obviously colossal weight of the cap stone is balanced on the tinniest of points on almost all supporting uprights- a feature I've noticed in a few other cromlechs. In some cases a cap stone has been placed entirely on fine points. -the interior face of the furthest upright from the "entrance" is worn smooth with an indentation at the uppermost part ( discovered by accident when laying inside to test the feasibility of this being a tomb)....I could easily- and nearly did- drift off in to there as it was actually amazingly comfortable, obviously very many others had, hence the ergonomicly worn indentation mentioned above. - as an unrelated aside, there are some amazing fungi on neighbouring trees, for any amateur mycologists out there!!

woodini254 visited on 14th Jun 2012 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 3 Directions From Crymych travel south on the A478 to the hamlet of Glandy Cross, turn left towards Llanglydwen for approximately 4Km. Drive through the village past the Bont pub. Turn right towards Login and pull into the lay by on the right. Around 100 yards is the start of the footpath marked ‘Penpontbren’ walk down this path following the wood which is on the right for between 10 and 15 minutes until you come to a steel farm gate, climb over the gate and take the left hand path for approximately 100 yards to the monument. This impressive monument consists of a large single capstone supported by four uprights which appear to delineate a polygonal chamber. A fifth upright was recorded by Barnwell in 1872 suggesting that this formed an entrance. Surrounding the monument is a series of kerb stones which are possibly the remnants of an earthen mound.

Penbron PERKYPUFFIN Bladup paulcall PAB have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3 Ambience: 5 Access: 3

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by impish69 : I love this place in the autumn :) (Vote or comment on this photo)
Located 6km south east of Crymych in Carmarthenshire on a steep wooded ridge overlooking the River Taf (at this point the river changes character from slow flowing to rapids). The large capstone (pointing towards the river to the west) is supported by four uprights. The tomb would once have been covered by an oval or circular mound - some kerbstones remain.

Note: Gwal y Filiast trees update - CADW say the owner is not felling the trees, but in conjunction with the footpath people, looking at making any diseased ones safe.
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Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : Back on my home turf and back to Gwal, my local (ish) burial chamber. Love this place for a picnic. This aerial shot above the trees I really wanted to do when the snow was down but ended up getting 'snowed in' myself. I also wanted to get a winter astro shot but once again missed out possibly due to myself being too nesh/soft/a pussy (cold) to go out at night on those clear crisp Baltic d... (Vote or comment on this photo)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : Back on my home turf and my local burial chamber of Gwal Y Filiast this is a drone shot to get a bit of height (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : The location is opened up slightly now due to either felling or wind but I prefer it, a bit more 'open'. A great picnic site and I've had a few here, seeing as it's a local one for me. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : This is the second image with the very contrasting light yesterday as the storm rolled in. Fallen trees and thankfully none hitting the chamber (for now) (Vote or comment on this photo)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : Contrasting light yesterday as the storm rolled in. From bright to dark in several minutes and back also blowing a hooley with rain added in to the mix. Knowing this was par for the course for the day I took the dog a walk to my local (ish) burial chamber knowing it should be fairly sheltered due to its location. I decided to take my drone just in case it was calm enough amongst the trees to g... (Vote or comment on this photo)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : View from the north on approach from Llanglydwen. The approach and visual on this is better from the south as you see it in the distance whilst you walk through the trees on a slight incline. A lovely tomb and in a lovely position amongst (now thined out) trees.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : A few trees have be taken down so makes it much lighter and not as atmospheric now. Nice to see evidence of people enjoying this site by all the footprints and one of my picnic spots in summer. The capstone is supported by four orthostats and points towards the river Taf bubbling below the hillside.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Seb4253 : A smooth flat stone located near the centre of the interior approximately 20cm x 20cm

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Seb4253 : A familiar feature I've seen in a few cromlechs - the immense capstone resting on the slimmest of points.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Seb4253 : Interior showing the smoothed interior face of one of the uprights, the upper part of this upright has a clear indentation at head hight.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : View from the East and the back of the chamber. The tomb pointing towards the river below the slope. The three side uprights are about 4 and a half feet high, the rear upright is slightly smaller giving the capstone an upward tilt where the entrance to the tomb would've been.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : View from the north, of this Inland cromlech Gwal Y Filiast - 'Lair of the grey hound bitch'. This tomb is in a very secluded and mesmerising position on a steep wooded ridge over looking the RiverTaf. I notice that several diseased trees have been felled which possibly could fall on to this cromlech and damage it. There a several large stones that may have formed part of the structure an entran...

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : 1x tree 1x selfie stick 1x madman trying to get a different viewpoint of this Inland cromlech Gwal Y Filiast - 'Lair of the grey hound bitch'. This tomb is in a very secluded and mesmerising position on a steep wooded ridge over looking the RiverTaf. I notice that several diseased trees have been felled which possibly could fall on to this cromlech and damage it. There a several large stones tha... (3 comments)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Antonine : 2020

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Antonine

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Antonine

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by woodini254 : Beautiful Gwal-Y-Filiast which was taken with sunrays which was more luck than skill.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Jimwithnoname : Gwal y Filiast (4 comments)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by DeborahWales : Taken from a distance to try to convey the splendour of the setting, high up over the Afon Taf. (1 comment)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Penbron : On the track from the Dolmen to see the Cross of St Clydwen , I came across an old well in the rock of the banks of the Afon Taf.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Penbron : A most delightful location with ancient broad leaf trees to boot, especially beech trees.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by PERKYPUFFIN : 14 ton capstone. Could be an early construction.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : This Neolithic Cromlech is just outside the small village of Llanglyydwen, west Carmarthenshire near the upper reaches of the river Taf. It dates from around 4000 B.C and consists of a 13ft capstone supported by four uprights with an opening facing the river below. The literal translation of its Welsh name means 'Lair of the grey hound bitch' but was more likely named after a 'Lair of Wolves' ...

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Postman : The wind blows coldly on the mountain top.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Postman : It's not easy thinking of something to say every time I load up a picture, No wait, yes it is.

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"Gwal y Filiast" | Login/Create an Account | 13 News and Comments
  
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Re: Gwal y Filiast - the owner is not felling the trees by Anonymous on Thursday, 19 November 2020
Update on the beech trees -
Re Gwal y Fiiast, good news!- the owner is not felling the trees, but in conjunction with the footpath people, looking at making any diseased ones safe. This info is from Cadw - I think the rumour is Chinese whispers!
Best wishes, Jo.
[ Reply to This ]

I have heard the landowner wants to cut down the ring of beech trees circling by Andy B on Thursday, 12 November 2020
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Member JohnnyThunder writes: My friend lives near to the site and has just learned that the landowner wants to cut down the ring of beech trees circling the site. For those of us who know & love the site, they are an integral part of the monument & to remove these trees would be absolute sacrilege.

I’ve been advised that writing to CADW (the Welsh Government's historic environment service) objecting to these plans may help. The email address for CADW is cadw@gov.wales & it looks like there is some urgency over this as the landowner has a reputation for taking things into his own hands.

Anything you can do to help would be much appreciated.
Best Wishes,
JohnnyThunder
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: I have heard the landowner wants to cut down the ring of beech trees circling by Anonymous on Thursday, 12 November 2020
    Hi, I spotted this info on Facebook last night, been meaning to visit for years, so decided today was the day.......I couldn’t find it. I found penbontbren but there was a closed gate across the lane. I also found recording studio near the church but it seemed to be private land on the wrong side of the river. Can anyone recommend how to find the public footpath. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer, very happy to email cadw to show support. Thank Nat :-)
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: I have heard the landowner wants to cut down the ring of beech trees circling by Anonymous on Sunday, 15 November 2020
      We were there Thursday . You were on the wrong side of the river . Check out the Carmarthenshire definitive guide of walks online abd match with ordnance survey map .
      [ Reply to This ]
      Re: I have heard the landowner wants to cut down the ring of beech trees circling by DeborahWales on Tuesday, 01 December 2020
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      In response to the person asking where the path starts ..... The footpath IS through the gate at Penbont Pren. Any walker's sign marker has been removed. The owner is very unfriendly but the path is public and skirts to the right of her house so don't take any notice. The cromlech is amazing and well worth a trip. You can continue on the path and eventually come back to the lane, take a left turn and end up back where you started near Penbont Pren. It is about 2 miles in total.
      [ Reply to This ]
    Re: I have heard the landowner wants to cut down the ring of beech trees circling by Anonymous on Friday, 13 November 2020
    Seemingly this "ring of beech trees" has not always been an "integral part" as this photo from 1906 reveals. It shows the site in a quite open setting:
    https://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/126827/gwalyfiliast.html
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: I have heard the landowner wants to cut down the ring of beech trees circling by Anonymous on Sunday, 15 November 2020
    Interestingly Countryfile last week ( repeated this morning ) showed a gesture in exactly this issue in Cornwall . The reason for removing the beech trees is they are shallow rooted and if they fall ( which is evident elsewhere on this walk ) they can potentially disturb the burial ground which would be even more tragic .
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: I have heard the landowner wants to cut down the ring of beech trees circling by Anonymous on Thursday, 19 November 2020
    Update on the beech trees -
    Re Gwal y Fiiast, good news!- the owner is not felling the trees, but in conjunction with the footpath people, looking at making any diseased ones safe. This info is from Cadw - I think the rumour is Chinese whispers!
    Best wishes, Jo.
    [ Reply to This ]

Mythology and Landscape by Karen Sawyer by Andy B on Friday, 23 February 2018
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They say every picture tells a story… well, this is mine. It’s about the relationship between myth and landscape and my connection with a 5,000 year-old cromlech (or dolmen) in Britain that goes by two names; Bwrdd Arthur (‘Arthur’s Table’) and Gwâl y Filiast (‘Lair of the Greyhound Bitch’).

I first visited the cromlech one fine spring day – April 28th 2010, to be precise – shortly after I’d decided to write a book about the Muse. It sits on a hillside above the river Tâf, in a liminal place between two counties in Wales – Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire – called Cilymaenllwyd, which means ‘retreat of the ancient stone’ (cil: ‘retreat’, maen: ‘stone’, llwyd: ‘ancient’). I was immediately enchanted by the place. Little did I know then that, three years later, I would come to live nearby and spend many, many hours here with my dogs, come rain (and snow) or shine, tuning-in and musing upon its original function and appearance.

There’s an old Welsh legend, The Tale of Taliesin, that tells of Ceridwen’s cauldron and her strange brew called Awen (Welsh for ‘Muse’). The story goes that three magical drops touched Gwion’s lips and he became wise (the name Taliesin means ‘shining intellect’). I was reading The Mythology and Rites of the British Druids (1809) by Edward Davies and nearly fell off my chair when he said that;

“...in the tale of Taliesin’s initiation, the table of Arthur is connected with the mysteries of Ceridwen, and in Llan Beudy [Llanboidy] parish, in Carmarthenshire, we find a monument which joins the name of Arthur with another name, which we can only refer to that goddess. It is called Bwrdd Arthur, Arthur’s table, and Gwal y Vilast, the couch of the Greyhound bitch.”

In the story, which took place during the days of King Arthur, Gwion turns into a hare and Ceridwen transforms herself into a greyhound bitch and chases him down to the river. Could this cromlech perhaps be the physical locale mentioned in the story? I don’t believe this was a burial chamber or passage tomb – not sepulchral, but chthonic. In the Mysteries of Ancient Greece, initiation took place underground in dark spaces overseen by the Muses.

In a sense, Ceridwen was a British Muse; a teacher of these ancient Mysteries in Britain. The cromlech was originally covered by an earthen mound where one could, literally, ‘go within’ and receive insight and inspiration, just as monks retreated to their ‘cells’ and hermitages.

I continued reading: “… the period which was employed in preparing the mystical cauldron, the anniversary of its commencement would fall, of course, upon the twenty-ninth of April.” I looked at the date… it was the 29th April, almost three years to the day of my first visit (make of that what you will).

To me, this is more than just a photograph that I took one cold, winter morning as the sun rose through the mist – it’s about the genius loci of a place; a reminder that the Muse lives on… by a cromlech in a wooded valley somewhere in wild West Wales.
Bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.

Karen Sawyer
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Gwal y Filiast by sem on Thursday, 01 June 2017
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OS grid ref (Coflein) SN17052564 [updated, thank you]
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Gwal y Filiast by Anonymous on Thursday, 31 March 2016
I live about 2 miles from Gwal y Filiast and plan to walk there soon, but I'm interested in a settlement that's marked on maps as being directly across the river from my home at SA34 0TN, but I can't find any info on it, not even on here. Aerial views clearly show a circular form in the landscape. Do any locals know anything about it? I've only lived here for a year.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Gwal y Filiast by PAB on Friday, 01 April 2016
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    It's not easy to be sure using only your postcode (as this covers 11 properties over quite a big area), but I think you may be talking about the Defended Enclosure which can be seen on OS Maps marked as a 'fort'. If so, you can find a bit more information on the Coflein database through this Link
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Gwal y Filiast by PaulM on Tuesday, 25 October 2005
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When we first visited this site it gave us the willies (Blair Witch type experience!) but in the autumn of 2005 the site is totally different.

20 minute walk there (25 back as it is slightly up hill) if you go from the north - the path can get very wet.
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