<< Our Photo Pages >> Carreg Samson, Abercastle - Chambered Tomb in Wales in Pembrokeshire

Submitted by JJ on Saturday, 18 May 2019  Page Views: 40993

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Carreg Samson, Abercastle Alternative Name: Carreg Sampson
Country: Wales County: Pembrokeshire Type: Chambered Tomb
Nearest Town: Fishguard  Nearest Village: Abercastle
Map Ref: SM84843351  Landranger Map Number: 157
Latitude: 51.958335N  Longitude: 5.132919W
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
 5 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.
 4 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

43559959 Jimwithnoname CarmenK dh88comet would like to visit

Chrononaut1962 visited on 6th Jul 2016 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

TheCaptain visited on 5th Oct 2015 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 4 Access: 4

woodini254 visited on 31st May 2011 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 4 Carreg Samson can be accessed via a driveway to the farm. This monument is really impressive backdrop of the Pembrokeshire coast. The site can also be visited by a longer walk from the beautiful village of Abercastle. Well worth a visit at any time of the year.

KieKa visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

Penbron Humbucker DrewParsons coin rldixon PAB AngieLake have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 4.25 Ambience: 4.5 Access: 3.75

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by Horatio : In a dramatic clifftop location just outside the pretty port of Abercastle stands a Neolithic burial chamber known as Carreg Samson. The name translates as 'Samson's Stone' and refers to the legend that St Samson placed the huge capstone in place using just his little finger. The dolmen is composed of seven upright stones topped by a huge capstone. The capstone is over 4.5m long (about 15 fee... (Vote or comment on this photo)
This Neolithic burial chamber stands in splendid isolation overlooking the bay. The capstone is supported on three of the seven upright stones. Earlier this century stones were used to block the holes in the sides of this tomb and it was used as a sheep-shelter.

The whole structure was possibly once covered by a mound of earth or stones.
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Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by stonetramp : First Prize in Category A This stunning cromlech is right on the Pembrokeshire coast, not far from Fishguard. It sits in a coastal sheep meadow, accessable over the cattle grid off the farm driveway. The ambience is magnificent as you can see. (13 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by Johnny : Carreg Samson, Mathry, Dyfed (SM 848 335) One of the most magnificent megalithic "tombs" in Wales, Carreg Samson is otherwise known as the Longhouse cromlech, after the farm on which it is situated. The massive capstone is supported two meters above ground level by three out of a total of seven remaining upright monoliths. Excavation in 1968 suggested that there were originally one or two extr... (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by Penbron : Carreg Samson looking NE from Longhouse farm. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by aurora : Carreg Samson, North Pembrokeshire. (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by pattersa : Carreg Samson taken from the side - shows the capstone and structure beautifully (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by pab : Carreg Samson, sunrise June 2010. The combination of glorious sunrises and magnificent locations makes it almost easy to crawl out of (campervan) bed at such an unearthly hour.. Made much easier by being camped in the adjacent field of course....so please don't tell anyone how magical this place is! (6 comments)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by PaulM : CARREG SAMSON TOMB NGR: SM84833350 (Landranger map 157/Outdoor Leisure North Pembrokeshire map (No 35)) Located close to the village of Mathry on the coast adjacent to a public footpath through a farmyard. The huge capstone is downward sloping towards the bay and Strumble Head beyond. Seven uprights exist but only three support the capstone. The whole may once have been covered by a rec... (1 comment)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by pab : Confirming both the photo and the site as worthy winner of the Spring 2006 prize! We loved the long late afternoon shadows, and the one of the 'principal sheep' made us realise that many ancient animal drawings make more sense if thought of as shadow tracings? The theory falls down rather for cave paintings though! One wonderful thing about this site is the fact that there is a 'CL' campsite... (2 comments)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by Humbucker : Carreg Samson showing just how enormous the capstone actually is close up! (4 comments)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by pattersa : View of Carreg Samson showing position overlooking the coast

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by pattersa : View of Carreg Samson looking towards the sea

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by woodini254 : Carreg Samson in black and white.

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by Bladup : Carreg Samson. This Original Artwork in a glass frame is £39.99 + Postage (Just whatever it costs), and is 18 cm x 12 and a half cm. A limited (to a 100) print in a 8" x 10" glass frame would be £19.99 + £2.90 postage, E-mail me at [email protected] if interested. (5 comments)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by rogerkread : Carreg Samson - the first cromlech I ever visited, taken there at the age of 10 in 1963. A formative experience! This photo taken June 2015, however.

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by aurora : Carreg Samson, North Pembrokeshire with Dinas Island beyond. (3 comments)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by AngieLake : The lovely dolmen in its scenic site, taken in April 2012, and sadly off-limits to me because of all the over-friendly cows! (3 comments)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by pab : Carreg Samson. Photo June 2010, to show detail of capstone.

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by enkidu41 : SM84833350 A capstone measuring 17’4” x 11’9” is supported by 3 of 7 large uprights to form a polygonal chamber 10’9” x 5’6”. The overall elongated shape suggests that there was once a large rectangular covering mound.

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by Horatio : The beautiful Neolithic chambered tomb above the bay of Abercastle and gazing out towards the Irish Sea. The large capstone 4.5m x 2.7m is supported on just three of the seven orthostats.

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by SandyG : View from the south.

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by ericgrindle : Carreg Samson - Pembroke The stones are very impressive with spectacular views to the bay. The capstone is supported by three of the uprights, it seems likely that additions have been made to form a shelter for cattle and sheep, be careful where you tread ! Eric. Image copyright: Eric Grindle (Eric Grindle), hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API.

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by AngieLake : Carreg Samson back in 2001 or 2002 from old film files.

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by jess : Grid References as above - one of the prettiest places in Pembroke to visit too. There's a camping pitch up with electricity in the field above on the farm too. Simply beautiful. (7 comments)

Carreg Samson, Abercastle
Carreg Samson, Abercastle submitted by DrewParsons : The immense size of the capstone is evident in this photo - it measures 5.3 metres by 3.6 metres. September 2010.

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"Carreg Samson, Abercastle" | Login/Create an Account | 13 News and Comments
  
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Re: Carreg Samson, Abercastle by CoralJackz on Sunday, 16 February 2025
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In this video we explore the history, excavations and archaeology of Carreg Samson.
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Re: Carreg Samson, Abercastle by CoralJackz on Sunday, 16 February 2025
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A collection of our research on Carreg Samson.
https://thathistorycouple.co.uk/2025/02/15/carreg-samson-pembrokeshire-wales/
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Re: Carreg Samson by CoralJackz on Thursday, 07 November 2024
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Using the Welsh newspapers archive, I found an interesting letter in The Cambrian newspaper, 19th September 1890, written by Mr E. Owen Phillips of St David's:

"....I have just returned from visiting the celebrated Longhouse cromlech, which, I am glad to say, remains in its integrity, untouched by the rude had of the destroyer, and I am thankful to believe likely to remain so.
Mr. Griffiths, the owner of the farm on which the Cromlech stands, accompanied me to the spot, and I have his authority for stating that he takes the greatest interest in this magnificent monument of prehistoric archaeology and in its preservation. His father-in-law, a former tenant of the farm, spent much time and labour, in clearing away obstructing rubbish, in order to bring the cromlech into bolder relief and afford a better view of it all round - a great improvement, as it certainly presents a more grand and striking appearance at present than it did when I saw it some years since.
On my asking Mr. Griffiths for an explanation of the statement which appeared in a letter to The Times of September 6, that a labourer who was engaged in grubbing up stones near the monument to fill in a gap in a fence, said that he, the owner, "threatened to overthrow and demolish the monument altogether in order to construct a new bank across an adjacent field!" Mr Griffiths replied that "there was not a word of truth in it, nor any foundation for the statement, and that very probably the man was hoaxing the stranger."
Mr. Griffiths complains and feels aggrieved that, assuming the statement to have been made, Mr. Greville Chester did not call on him to ascertain the truth or otherwise of it; the more so as Mr. Chester must have passed within a few yards of his house on returning from the cromlech. The disturbance caused by the stones, which are now to be seen filling up a gap in a fence, does not in the slightest degree interfere with the stability of the cromlech, which the public will be interested to know the present landlord is as anxious to preserve as carefully as it has been in the past.
At the same time, I agree with Mr. Greville Chester that it was an oversight, at least, on the part of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners "not to insert a proviso in the deed of sale for the preservation of so important a monument of prehistoric archaeology;" since the farm might have found a purchaser in one whose conservative interest in this grand old monument was less than that of the present owner. "
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3D Model of Carreg Samson by Andy B on Saturday, 20 March 2021
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3D Model of Carreg Samson

http://heritagetogether.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=135&pid=11442#top_display_media
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Re: Carreg Samson by Andy B on Wednesday, 04 April 2018
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Coflein
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/94129/details/carreg-sampson-burial-chamber
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A view from the west: the Neolithic of the Irish Sea zone by Vicki Cummings by Andy B on Friday, 06 November 2015
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A view from the west: the Neolithic of the Irish Sea zone by Vicki Cummings

At the heart of this study are the early Neolithic chambered tombs of the Irish Sea zone, defined as west Wales, the west coast of northern Britain, coastal south and western Scotland, the western isles and the Isle of Man, and the eastern coast of Ireland. In order to understand these monuments, there must be a broader consideration of their landscape settings. The landscape setting of the chambered tombs is considered in detail, both overall and through a number of specific case studies, incorporating a much wider area than has been previously considered. I investigate the background against which the Neolithic began in the Irish Sea zone and what led to the adoption of Neolithic practices, such as the construction of monuments. Following on from this, I consider what the chambered tombs and landscape can add to our understanding of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition.

This volume aims to incorporate landscape analysis into a broader understanding of the Neolithic sequence in this area and beyond. It provides an introduction to the Mesolithic and Neolithic of the Irish Sea zone, as well as a summary of previous work on this subject. It also offers a starting point for future research and a better understanding of this area.
Publisher: Oxford: Oxbow.
Publication Date: 2009

https://www.academia.edu/241824/A_view_from_the_west_the_Neolithic_of_the_Irish_Sea_zone

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Carreg Samson Street View by SteveDut on Monday, 29 March 2010
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Re: Carreg Samson by Anonymous on Monday, 02 November 2009
One of my students reports that the burial chamber has been pretty much destroyed, is that true?

Karl-James Langford
Timesigns Archaeology
[email protected]
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    Re: Carreg Samson by Anonymous on Thursday, 06 July 2017
    No. Visited today and is still standing proud in the field
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Re: Carreg Samson by Anonymous on Thursday, 11 September 2008
Carreg Samson is probably better known locally as Long House cromlech--after the farm on whose land it is situated.
Phiillip Matthews , Trefin.
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Re: Carreg Samson by IronAgeDave on Wednesday, 16 April 2008
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according to another web 2.0 site there are other variations of it and i think when I was over there it was even spelt 'samsen'

Nevertheless we know where it is thanks to OS grid refs and it really is one of the best Burial Chambers in at least Pembrokeshire and probably Wales, the setting is just fantastic as well.
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Re: Carreg Samson by h_fenton on Sunday, 23 October 2005
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Another interesting point to note is that three of the uprights (grouped together) at Carreg Sampson are of a quite a fine grained rock, while the other uprights and capstone are of a different rock. You can see this quite clearly in the photos submitted by AngieLake.
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Re: Carreg Samson by Anonymous on Thursday, 02 December 2004
I note that this is spelled both ways: Samson & Sampson
Which is correct?

Mike Sampson
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