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<< Our Photo Pages >> Gwal y Filiast - Chambered Tomb in Wales in Carmarthenshire (Sir Caerfyrddin)

Submitted by vicky on Thursday, 12 November 2020  Page Views: 41196

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Gwal y Filiast Alternative Name: Bwrdd Arthur
Country: Wales County: Carmarthenshire (Sir Caerfyrddin) 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

Haseya emh504 jess KieKa SolarMegalith TheDuke Gryffincoch would like to visit

Possumputer visited on 4th Jun 2026 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 2 Did the anti clockwise circular walk from login, track through field by Dickman (timber merchant) is very overgrown and landowner ranted at us for using OS maps! Quite steep and tricky underfoot through forestry, but if you came directly from main road on east side of burial chamber it is a relatively straightforward!

Rhianb visited on 26th Dec 2025 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 3 Originally had planned to go somewhere else but that needed landowner permission so had to postpone. Had a bit of a google and look around near my Mum's house and found this place. Its absolutely gorgeous, well worth the walk and despite a lot of storm damage visible with many trees strewn across the path, the way was cleared and relatively easy to follow. I was a little pensive as my Mum is a worrier (haha!) but we got there at golden hour just before sunset. It was so peaceful and quiet I am so glad it was my first find!

rhodct visited on 25th May 2024 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3

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: 3.67 Ambience: 4.83 Access: 2.83

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 Possumputer : Site in Carmarthenshire (Sir Caerfyrddin) Wales (Vote or comment on this photo)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Possumputer (Vote or comment on this photo)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Rhianb (Vote or comment on this photo)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Bladup : The Marvelous Gwal y Filiast (Vote or comment on this photo)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : In the Top 10 of Horatio's picnic sites in Carmarthenshire. I spent three hours here today, reading, eating, drinking, drumming and just a chillin' (Vote or comment on this photo)

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : A few branches down after Storm Daragh but thankfully the chamber didn't suffer a strike. The 'walk in' is a bit more taxing as so many trees down, it's do able but a bit of contortionism is required.

Gwal y Filiast
Gwal y Filiast submitted by Horatio : Something a bit different for my local chamber. Ansel Adams stylee... Had the the day off so sat here on my own chilin' and quietly drumming with my partner in crime, Jess my 17½ yr old Jack Russell. She keeps going slowly but surely (6 comments)

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...

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)

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.

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)

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...

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)

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"Gwal y Filiast" | Login/Create an Account | 15 News and Comments
  
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Re: Gwal y Filiast by Anonymous on Friday, 25 July 2025
There is now a metal roadside footpath sign directing walkers down the footpath from Penbontbren. A nearby lay-by can be used for parking. The fallen trees on the footpath near Penbontbren have been cleared by path maintenance volunteers (July '25) so no more scrambling over trees but there are still a few to duck underneath! The overgrowth has also been cut back by the volunteers so you can walk onto the footpath past Glyntaf Farm (do not go into Glyntaf house). Or you can walk down to the newly installed Dolwilym bridge and continue on the footpath to Login.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Gwal y Filiast by rogerkread on Sunday, 13 July 2025
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Revisited my favourite cromlech in late June 2025. Possibly the house at Penbont Pren has changed hands - gate propped open, no barking dogs as on previous visits, eggs for sale by the path. All very friendly and encouraging. However many large trees have blown down across the path beyond the house (down some time by the look of them) making it 'entertaining' to continue past them to the cromlech. Might have been dissuaded if I hadn't previously visited several times. Well worth the scramble though!
[ Reply to This ]

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 [email protected] & 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,...

Read the rest of this post...
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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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