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Visiting the Past: Finding and Understanding Britain's Archaeology

Visiting the Past: Finding and Understanding Britain's Archaeology

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<< Our Photo Pages >> Bryn Cader Faner - Ring Cairn in Wales in Gwynedd

Submitted by celticmaiden55 on Monday, 05 June 2017  Page Views: 48380

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Bryn Cader Faner
Country: Wales County: Gwynedd Type: Ring Cairn
Nearest Town: Porthmadog  Nearest Village: Talsarnau
Map Ref: SH64793529  Landranger Map Number: 124
Latitude: 52.897997N  Longitude: 4.011505W
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.
 1 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
 5

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I have visited· I would like to visit

tlcearth Runemage WindC DrewParsons 43559959 lichen eirrac5 DocRivers Andy B Magaret1932 SumDoood Humbucker muddysox Orcinus MikeAttwell would like to visit

Northernchief visited on 23rd Sep 2023 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 2 Well worth the walk. The direct path, although wet, was easily passable.

w650marion visited on 18th Apr 2023 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 3 Path from Eisingrug the wettest I've seen in 30 years visiting. Waterproof boots, gaiters and bog prodders essential. Return journey was via the hut circle settlements on the slopes above the path. Much easier!

Catrinm visited on 18th Apr 2019 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 2 Worth the trek, great views

SteCymru14 visited on 29th Dec 2016 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 2

SteCymru14 visited on 29th Dec 2016 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 2 https://stecymru14.wordpress.com/2016/12/30/per-mare-per-terram-evorsio/

morphoto visited on 1st Sep 2013 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 1 We followed the directions of flyerphil, driving up the track that parallels the Maes-y-Neuadd Hotel on the south side. Be sure to bare to the right as you go up. Once at the car park, leave a donation and follow the trail that is on the south side. It will cross over the Taithardudwy Way Trail. Take that trail, it is much easier and less boggy than flyerphil's path to the lake and then around the lake. It was a chilly, spooky, foggy, rainy day and we spied the crown of thorns topping a hill shrouded in the fog in the distance. It was like being in a mystical world, far away and long ago. The site is much altered, but still stunning. Well worth the hunt.

crystalskull84 visited on 4th May 2011 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 2 Superb location! One of the most rewarding finds.

celticmaiden55 w650marion Bladup PAB TimPrevett TheCaptain have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.29 Ambience: 4.86 Access: 2

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by celticmaiden55 : Bryn Cader Faner aka Crown of Thorns in Gwynedd. Taken on a beautiful day in May with the Snowdonia Range as a spectacular backdrop. (Vote or comment on this photo)
This cairn-circle has to be one of the most visually-appealing circles in the entire British Isles, despite extensive damage to the stones both by treasure-hunters of the last century and soldiers during World War II. Fifteen stones remain of the original thirty, each standing about 6 feet, and lean outward in such a way that from a distance, it looks like a crown of thorns.

Access: 7km of track and trail, some of it through wet and boggy terrain, make this a challenge for the novice circle-hunter. Success is well worth the effort.

Page originally by Tom Bullock

Note: Great new set from celticmaiden55, if this doesn't inspire you to get out and see some stones I don't know what will!
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Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : Another high angle view of Bryn Cader Faner looking south west along the path. (4 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : I couldn't submit pics of Bryn Cader Faner without one showing the 'standard' but nevertheless spectacular view. (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Talsarnau_Times : Bryn Cader Faner stone circle high in the hills above Talsarnau, Gwynedd (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : Another high angle view of Bryn Cader Faner's interior, showing the layout of the stones and the off-centre pit, this time looking south west. (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : A high angle view of Bryn Cader Faner looking westward. The picture was taken on 30 January 2010 on a bitterly cold but beautifully sunny day. Best of all, mine were the only footprints in the snow! (3 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : Western side of Bryn Cader Faner looking north to the Snowdon range (2 comments)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by kevsy : Fantastic. I don't think I've ever seen a better site. Well worth the hour or so walk to see it and the view from it is spectacular. (5 comments)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : Some of Bryn Cader Faner's uprights, on the south western arc of the circle

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : Another shot from inside the Bryn Cader Faner ring, looking south west.

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : High angle view of Bryn Cader Faner's interior, showing the layout of the stones and the off-centre pit.

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by pab : Hoping that I have managed to get this panorama right for display on the Portal! Sept 2011 (2 comments)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : View of Bryn Cader Faner from the rock outcrop nearby (2 comments)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : Another of the uprights of the Bryn Cader Faner ring, looking north to the peak of Mt Snowdon.

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : Shot from inside the Bryn Cader Faner ring, looking west to the Snowdon range. (3 comments)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by TimPrevett : First light at Bryn Cader Faner 2nd August 2010. Looking south. (3 comments)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Talsarnau_Times : Bryn Cader Faner, December 20, 2010

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by TimPrevett : First light at Bryn Cader Faner 2nd August 2010. (1 comment)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : Shot from inside the Bryn Cader Faner ring, looking north to Mt Snowdon

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Thingy : One of the uprights of the Bryn Cader Faner ring, looking north east. This one has interesting, but entirely natural, criss-cross markings. (1 comment)

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Talsarnau_Times : Stone Circle Walk, December 20 2010

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by celticmaiden55 : Crown of Thorns as seen from the footpath we used as we approached. An inspirational site after driving up a long and narrow lane followed by a 4Km walk!

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Talsarnau_Times : Privileged to live relatively close to such a tranquil spot.

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by Talsarnau_Times : 2 June 2011, the sun finally shone here today, so sallied forth to Stone Circle.

Bryn Cader Faner
Bryn Cader Faner submitted by flyerphil : Good Friday at around 17-15, a weather front from the South and East rapidly approaching (6 comments)

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 277m WSW 243° Bryn Cader Faner Hut Circles* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH64543517)
 289m W 270° Stones North East of Llyn Caerwych* Standing Stones (SH645353)
 363m SSW 210° Llyn Eiddew Ring Cairn* Ring Cairn (SH64603498)
 497m NW 307° Moel Geifr Hut Circles Ancient Village or Settlement (SH644356)
 530m NW 316° Y Gyrn Hut Circle Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH64433568)
 720m NE 43° Nant Pasgan Bach Hut Circle Settlement.* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH653358)
 733m NE 54° Hut Circles North West of Moel Ddinas* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH654357)
 888m NW 307° Y Gyrn* Cairn (SH64093584)
 905m SW 218° Llyn Eiddew Bach Stone Rows* Stone Row / Alignment (SH6421534589)
 906m SW 218° Llyn Eiddew Bach Ring Cairn 1* Ring Cairn (SH6421534588)
 906m SW 219° Llyn Eiddew Bach III* Ring Cairn (SH642346)
 1.1km SW 223° Taith Ardudwy* Ancient Trackway (SH640345)
 1.2km NW 310° Cairn and Erratic Stone Ring West of Y Gyrn* Cairn (SH63923607)
 1.2km SW 227° Afon Eisingrug Hut Circle* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH639345)
 1.2km SW 223° Cairn, S of llyn Caerwych* Round Cairn (SH63943444)
 1.3km SW 223° Afon Eisingrug Cairns* Barrow Cemetery (SH639344)
 1.3km ESE 122° Moel Ysgyfarnogod Cairn* Cairn (SH6584534594)
 1.3km WNW 300° Cairn East of Maes y Caerau* Cairn (SH6368235974)
 1.3km WSW 237° Hut Circle Settlement South East of Moel Y Geifr* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH63653460)
 1.4km NE 40° Nant Pasgan Mawr Hut Circle* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH65753635)
 1.5km NW 308° Hut Circle East of Maes y Caerau* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH63673623)
 1.5km NE 45° Nant Pasgan Mawr Standing Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SH65913635)
 1.6km NW 311° Hut Circle North East of Maes y Caerau* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH63653635)
 1.6km NW 304° Maes y Caerau* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH63503621)
 1.7km WNW 286° Circular Enclosure South West of Maes Y Caerau* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH632358)
View more nearby sites and additional images

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"Bryn Cader Faner" | Login/Create an Account | 20 News and Comments
  
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Re: Bryn Cader Faner by sem on Friday, 02 June 2017
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OS grid ref (Coflein) SH64793529
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by evdsteen on Sunday, 28 August 2016
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I just had a chat with the farmer who owns the land on which Bryn Cader Faner stands. He has an honesty box by the car park (the one above Eisengrug), and the fee is £2, which goes to charity. He is heartily fed up with the fact that hardly anybody pays the fee, and threatens to close access to the car park.
So if you visit, please, please just pay the fee. £2 is hardly excessive for one of the most spectacular prehistoric monuments in Wales.....
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by morphoto on Monday, 20 June 2016
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My husband and I went up in September 2013. It was cloudy and rainy and foggy. Almost got lost, but trudged on. Route was via the hotel. Finally found the site. It was pouring and we were drenched through. Stayed to shoot (pix) for a few minutes and left. Found the marked trail on the way back. Much easier and less boggy than by the lake. Had a great time, lovely walk. Really I mean it. It was a little scary but so much fun.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by Upozi on Wednesday, 03 June 2015
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I went to Bryn Cader Faner this May (2015)

Getting to BCF is very easy.

The first step is to take the car up to the parking place. You can follow Philip D's “you tube” directions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwVFMvAHI7o

Then follow the road to the lake Llyn eiddew Bach. Again, Philip D has a you tube video at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCtBadJjhKA There is a reprise of the car journey but its truncated so keep watching. Now here's the thing: I followed Philip's directions down to the lake and along the shore – then up onto the ridge and down into the valley and up onto the hill to join the “Drovers' Road” where you turn right (North) and keep going until you see the stones on the right (North East). Its a very pleasant walk. But it's unnecessary. After the third stile you can turn off the road onto the “Drovers' Road” which has now been recategorised as a long distance footpath. It is clearly signposted. It's called the Taith Ardudwy Trail http://www.taithardudwyway.com/ and is described as a “Bronze Age Trackway”

Its a marvellous place.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by morphoto on Thursday, 10 October 2013
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We visited this site in September 2013. Followed the track that runs beside the Maes-y-Neuadd Hotel on the south side. Be sure to bear right as you go up. Park at the car park, make a donation and head up the trail that is off to the right (south) side. This track will cross the Taithardudwy Way Trail which is well marked. Take this trail - it goes right by the site, it's a lot less boggy than the directions going by the lake. The site is much altered, but well worth the hike.

[ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by TimPrevett on Sunday, 08 August 2010
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I'm sure some of the loose uprights have been reinserted since my last visit in 2005!
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    Re: Bryn Cader Faner by MartinBurke on Saturday, 16 April 2011
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    I returned to this site in February 2011 and it is clear that the site has been altered since I was there in 2007. A couple of uprights have been inserted and some of the stones of the cairn have been moved, or removed from the site. There are a couple of places where stones have been removed, leaving crushed straw coloured grass underneath.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by Martin_L on Thursday, 04 February 2010
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The site description states "Fifteen stones remain of the original thirty", but the photos show more than 15 standing stones.
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    Re: Bryn Cader Faner by flyerphil on Tuesday, 20 April 2010
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    You are quite right Martin_L regarding the stones. On my last visit a short while ago I am quite sure that the number of upright stones including the very small ones totalled about 21, so it really needs updating, unless of course the tiny uprights are not included. On my next visit I will give a definite update to the site, as I visit the area frequently
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Bryn Cader Faner by Martin_L on Monday, 26 April 2010
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      Thank you very much for your instructive reply flyerphil. I am looking forward to your update of this obviously outstanding site.
      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: Bryn Cader Faner (original ctones) by flyerphil on Sunday, 16 May 2010
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        The number of original upright stones, indeed total fifteen. I checked this half a dozen times to be sure. The "actual number of upright stones total twenty two". Whether the extra seven have been positioned over the years is hard to say, but they are quite moveable having been wedged into place and held by boulders. The fifteen "original" are rock solid immersed as laid I should imagine at it's initial construction. In addition, inside the circle, are one or two huge slabs buried and laying at a shallow angle.
        It would be very interesting indeed to get an accurate report or sketch on the earliest construction details, which it seems is quite elusive, having checked out the local library. I should imagine some archives might possibly exist on Bryn Cader Faner.
        [ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by Anonymous on Thursday, 04 February 2010
i have visited Bryn Cader Faner several times in all weather. be aware it's very boggy round there so u need to wear waterproof gear. all the best with your visit which u'll find inspiring. love gwynant
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by Anonymous on Thursday, 04 February 2010
i have visited this site many times in all kinds of weather and times. they are inspiring and well worth a visit but be aware it's boggy round there. many other undiscoverd sites exist in north wales.
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Re: Bryn Cader Faner by coldrum on Thursday, 22 January 2009
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Link:

http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk/Ancient_Sites/Bryn_Cader_Faner.htm
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Re: Bryn Cader Faner by coldrum on Wednesday, 14 January 2009
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RCAHMW site record:

http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/302869/details/CAIRN+SW.+OF+THE+SUMMIT+OF+BRYN+CADER+FANER/


And possible ring cairn:

http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/308632/details/BRYN+CADER+FANER+(W)%2C+POSSIBLE+RING+CAIRN/
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by PAB on Monday, 10 September 2007
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Thanks flyerphil for the suggested route - that's one of the things I like about the Portal, people are so willing to share the delights they have experienced! Definitely on the list now for a trip..thanks again.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Bryn Cader Faner by flyerphil on Sunday, 16 September 2007
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    Thanks for your comment. I will definitely be returning near future, a place full of inspiration and good vibrations.
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Bryn Cader Faner by flyerphil on Saturday, 12 January 2008
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      I should have mentioned that, arriving at the parking area, don't take the trail with the public footpath sign as this leads you away. Take the route past the gate which has a donation box attached for the Air Ambulance. Happy Trekking.
      [ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by flyerphil on Sunday, 09 September 2007
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From the "Maes-Y-Neuadd" hotel, follow the narrrow no through road (sign posted) which runs parallel to it. go across two cattle grids and one gate which you must close, and you come to the parking area (5 minutes or so uphill and around some narrow bends).
Bryn Cader Faner is about an hour and 20 minutes (include a short 5 min break). Follow the trail until you arrive at Llyn Eiddew Back, then veer sharp left and follow the lake edge until the narrow path veers left and then widens (seems that a vehicle has made the wide path which helps) across marshy but quite firm ground until you intersect the main path to the burial ground. Once you intersect this path which at the moment is bone dry, Bryn Cader Faner is about 15 minutes away.
I looked up about 10 minutes into it and then saw it on a hillside to my right.
This was my third attempt to find it, despite being very close at the second attempt. This route was my personal preference so I am not endorsing it in any way. Most inportantly, make sure you have an OS map and compass, and a couple of walking sticks.

I had only seen photos previously, but when it came into focus my heart missed a beat, as it was an incredible sight and quite moving
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Bryn Cader Faner by TimPrevett on Tuesday, 17 May 2005
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Megalithic Meets should be visiting this in September - see:
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=2146412036
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