Featured: Current Archaeology Book of the Year 2019!

Current Archaeology Book of the Year 2019!

Random Image

Engelly Round

Engelly Round

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Native American Indian Mounds

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Native American Indian Mounds

Login

Register here - as a registered user you get more features and fewer ads.

Who's Online

There are currently, 1099 guests and 3 members online.

Sponsors

<< Our Photo Pages >> Ystum Cegid Isaf - Chambered Tomb in Wales in Gwynedd

Submitted by MartinBurke on Friday, 21 November 2025  Page Views: 20224

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Ystum Cegid Isaf Alternative Name: Coetan Arthur
Country: Wales County: Gwynedd Type: Chambered Tomb
Nearest Town: Criccieth  Nearest Village: Garndolbenmaen
Map Ref: SH49884132  Landranger Map Number: 123
Latitude: 52.948202N  Longitude: 4.235775W
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.
 3 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

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

elad13 KieKa whese001 SolarMegalith PAB would like to visit

Catrinm visited on 19th Apr 2019 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3 Visited at last - huge capstone

Penbron have visited here

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by CoralJackz : A photo from 2024, one of a few rescued from our 'plugole' which is where where failed uploads end up. More mystery photos from the plugole here - can you identify any of them? (Vote or comment on this photo)
Situated within dry stone walling between two farmer’s fields. The chamber looks like it would have been about 1.8m (6ft) in height when originally built. The substantial capstone, roughly a trapezoid in shape, looks a bit precariously balanced on the four remaining supporting stones. The capstone measures about 4.5m (15ft) at its longest point and 3.3m (11ft) at its widest.

A further broken stone can be seen which looks like it would have originally been a fifth support.

Note: A photo from 2024, one of a few rescued from our 'plugole' which is where where failed uploads end up. More mystery photos in our gallery - can you identify any of them?
You may be viewing yesterday's version of this page. To see the most up to date information please register for a free account.


Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Postman : Moon going down just before the sun came up (7 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Bladup : Ystum Cegid Isaf. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by tombraider : Fairly accessible and worth seeing (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Bladup : Ystum Cegid Isaf. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Postman : A really good dolmen, that is little visited as its not close to the road. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by MartinBurke : The monument is situated within dry stone walling between two farmer’s fields. The chamber looks like it would have been about 6 foot in height when originally built..

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Bladup : Ystum Cegid Isaf.

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Bladup : Ystum Cegid Isaf.

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Horatio : Set in the stone wall, lovely capstone, resemble an arrow head (or is it me?)

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Horatio : A nice long walk but very boggy the route I took from the north via Ystumcegid farm and then the deserted farm of Ystum-cegid ganol further along the path, very boggy just prior to this farm as a stream basically bottoms out here. As the path opens up and you get to see the chamber in front of you, dont walk directly to it as there is now way over the stone walls (barbed wire on top) and also bogg... (3 comments)

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Penbron : Ystumcegid burial chamber nr Afon Dwyfor,Cwm Pennant.

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by tombraider : Fairly accessible and worth seeing

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Bladup : Ystum Cegid Isaf.

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by MartinBurke : The substantial capstone, roughly a trapezoid in shape, looks a bit precariously balanced on the four remaining supporting stones. The capstone measures about 15 feet at its longest point and 11 feet at its widest. My reading on site was 52.94827N, 4.23568E. (3 comments)

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Bladup : Ystum Cegid Isaf (At Night)

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by CoralJackz : Photograph of Ystum Cegid Isaf by Griffith in the year 1900

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Justfrank : I drove to the last farm and walked threw two firlds.Look at the huge cap stone very impressed

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Antonine : Visited 2017

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Horatio : Showing how the tomb sits as part of the dividing wall, nice large but low tomb in an idyllic setting.

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Postman : Despite trying to hide it in a wall it sticks like a smacked bum in a snow drift. (2 comments)

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Postman : Winner: Best caption 2019.

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by Postman : Two dolmens for the price of one.

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by CoralJackz : Ystum Cegid Isaf

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by CoralJackz : Peepbo cows!

Ystum Cegid Isaf
Ystum Cegid Isaf submitted by CoralJackz : Ystum Cegid Isaf (2 comments)

These are just the first 25 photos of Ystum Cegid Isaf. If you log in with a free user account you will be able to see our entire collection.

Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.
Click here to see more info for this site

Nearby sites

Click here to view sites on an interactive OS map

Key: Red: member's photo, Blue: 3rd party photo, Yellow: other image, Green: no photo - please go there and take one, Grey: site destroyed

Download sites to:
KML (Google Earth)
GPX (GPS waypoints)
CSV (Garmin/Navman)
CSV (Excel)

To unlock full downloads you need to sign up as a Contributory Member. Otherwise downloads are limited to 50 sites.


Turn off the page maps and other distractions

Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 905m NE 47° Bryniau Ystumcegid Hut Circles Ancient Village or Settlement (SH5056041920)
 1.1km SSE 166° Bryn Braich y Saint Carved Stone* Rock Art (SH5012040232)
 1.4km NE 38° Bryniau'r Tyddyn* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SH50784240)
 1.5km N 10° Tyddyn Mawr Hut Circles* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH5019042760)
 1.6km NNE 25° Craig-Y-Tyddyn Camp* Hillfort (SH50594272)
 1.6km WSW 252° Rhoslan* Burial Chamber or Dolmen (SH48344088)
 1.6km NNE 22° Craig y Tyddyn Enclosed Hut Circle Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH5052042800)
 1.7km SE 144° Braich y Saint Stones* Standing Stones (SH5086239902)
 1.9km NNE 22° Castell Dolbenmaen* Artificial Mound (SH5066043071)
 2.0km S 169° Moel Ednyfed Hillfort* Hillfort (SH5018039370)
 2.1km NNE 28° Cerrig Dolbenmaen* Standing Stones (SH5089543113)
 2.1km N 360° Ty Newydd Enclosed Hut Group* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH4994043450)
 2.1km ENE 70° Garnedd-hir Modern Dolmen* Modern Stone Circle etc (SH5192441988)
 2.3km NNE 12° Craig y Llan Hut Circle Ancient Village or Settlement (SH5041043510)
 2.6km N 1° Hut Circle nr St David's Church* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH49994387)
 2.7km N 359° Garndolbenmaen Round Hut* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH499440)
 2.7km NNE 31° Castell Dolwgan Uchaf* Hillfort (SH5136243582)
 2.7km NNW 345° Maen Tyddyn Du* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SH4926543974)
 2.7km NNE 18° Castell Caerau* Hillfort (SH508439)
 2.8km N 9° Gyrn Goch Cairn* Cairn (SH504441)
 3.0km WSW 248° Capel Galltcoed Ancient Temple (SH47084030)
 3.1km NNW 346° Ty'n y Caeau Hut Circle* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH4921044310)
 3.2km NNE 13° Carreg Ffridd Newydd* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SH5068744433)
 3.2km ESE 119° Trefllys* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SH52663968)
 3.2km SSW 193° Bron Eifion Standing Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SH4907038180)
View more nearby sites and additional images

<< Dolmen de Cal Boixadera

Rochers de Kerambail >>

Please add your thoughts on this site

Contribute!

· NEW: I have visited
· I would like to visit
· Submit an Image
· Add a description
· Give accurate position
· Add a comment or news about this site

Magic Stones: The Secret World of Ancient Megaliths

Magic Stones: The Secret World of Ancient Megaliths

Sponsors

Latest Visit Logs

  • La Cieneguilla Petrolyphs
    “This is a historic site owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It is located on the out…”
    by stonetracker · 11 Jun 2026
  • Ring of Brodgar
    “Early morning jaunt to get photos without humans.”
    by DeannaMcC · 10 Jun 2026
  • Badnabay
    “A short walk through rather boggy ground towards the west end of the horseshoe-shaped road coming of…”
    by RingPaw · 7 Jun 2026
  • Tsankawi
    “The complete Tsankawi Village loop trail is about 2 miles round trip. The parking lot is large, pave…”
    by stonetracker · 6 Jun 2026
  • Dun Beag (Struan)
    “Nothing much to add to earlier comments - a short walk but steep in parts. A spectacular site, defin…”
    by Glaschu · 5 Jun 2026

"Ystum Cegid Isaf" | Login/Create an Account | 12 News and Comments
  
Go back to top of page    Comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by CoralJackz on Thursday, 03 July 2025
(User Info | Send a Message)
Collection of our research on Ystum Cegid Isaf. Includes earliest illustrations and photographs of the site, as well as antiquarian reports: https://thathistorycouple.co.uk/2025/07/03/ystum-cegid-isaf/
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by CoralJackz on Thursday, 07 November 2024
(User Info | Send a Message)
A beautiful site.. Although guarded by lots of cows! We have a video on our YouTube channel where we explore Ystum Cegid Isaf and cover the known history and archaeology of the monument. We hope you enjoy!

[ Reply to This ]

Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf Folklore by CoralJackz on Tuesday, 15 October 2024
(User Info | Send a Message)
This prehistoric cromlech burial chamber is said to be an abode of the fairies – as a farmer that lived directly nearby happened to make one his wife. John Rhys relates a story about in his Celtic Folklore Welsh And Manx:
I walked across to Criccieth Station; but on my way I was directed to call at a farm house called Llwyn y Mafon Uchaf, where I was to see Mr. Edward Llewelyn, a bachelor then seventy-six years of age. He is a native of the neighbourhood, and has always lived in it; moreover, he has now been for some time blind. He had heard a good many fairy tales.
.. He told me of a man at Ystum Cegid, a farm not far off, having married a fairy wife on condition that he was not to touch her with any kind of iron on pain of her leaving him for ever. Then came the usual accident in catching a horse in order to go to a fair at Carnarvon, and the immediate disappearance of the wife. At this point Mr. Llewelyn’s sister interposed to the effect that the wife did once return and address her husband in the rhyme, “Os bydd anwyd arfy mab“, etc. Then Mrs. Llewelyn enumerated several people who are of this family, among others a girl, who is, according to him, exactly like the Fairies. British Folklore
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by thespiraltimes on Thursday, 30 June 2022
(User Info | Send a Message)
2022 - If you drive down the private road (coming from the A487 side not the Rhoslan side) past the Ymlwch Bach holiday homes and are nice (say 'Bore Da'.. if it's morning) to the farmer at Ystum Cegid Ishaf, he is very happy to let people park on his land "to see the Cromlech") you just need to carefully negotiate the sheep and walk five minutes across the field to the site.

It's faithfully guarded by dairy cows who've made a mockery of the drystone wall so maybe avoid calfing season.

Some intriguing more recent but still very old looking carvings on the inside of one of the supporting stones (looks a bit like a church!)
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by Anonymous on Sunday, 16 May 2021
Sadly a lot of the local stiles have been blocked or made very difficult to climb over..
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by Andy B on Wednesday, 04 April 2018
(User Info | Send a Message)
Does anyone know why this is listed as a Passage Grave? Doesn't seem to be one...
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by rogerkread on Tuesday, 28 June 2011
(User Info | Send a Message)
Changed field boundaries can make finding this site difficult, but it is a nice walk from Cefn Isaf cromlech, and it is easy to park near there at Rhoslan village. Go through the gate just beyond Cefn Isaf, then follow the field edge on the left all the way to a gate that gives access to a green lane (yes I know that's not the right of way as marked on the map but never mind). Turn left, and when the green lane ends turn right downhill, through the gate ahead and bear left to an obvious stile. Over and keep downhill through a moist (!) field to the river where there is a bridge. Over bridge, bear slightly left to pick up a short green lane, continue to the corner of a small wood when the lane ends. Now bear right through obvious wall gap and straight ahead to far left hand corner of the big field. Through the old iron gate there and turn immediately left through the new, huge gate posts. Go straight ahead across the middle of the field and the cromlech soon appears.
I spent 20 minute...

Read the rest of this post...
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by rogerkread on Sunday, 25 June 2023
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Revisited the site last week (June 2023), following my own directions - I would no longer recommend this route. The bridge has decayed alarmingly, the wooden section being completely rotten with considerable parts of it missing. Just possible to still cross it with extreme care, but it won't be for long. There is little evidence that the bridge is in regular use so the chances of it being repaired are slim. Fording the beck would not be much fun to put it mildly. A pity, as otherwise still an interesting short walk.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by coldrum on Monday, 11 January 2010
(User Info | Send a Message)
Coflein entry.

http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/95293/details/YSTUM-CEGID+BURIAL+CHAMBER%3BCOETAN+ARTHUR/
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by AngieLake on Saturday, 24 November 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
Access?
Hi Martin. You didn't mention access here, so wonder if parking and entry to fields is easy, or not? (Just in case I get another opportunity to visit).
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by MartinBurke on Saturday, 24 November 2007
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    You can get most of the way to the site on the B4411 road, then there is a single track road, then a sign on a narrow track to Ystumcegid Isaf. The Ordnance survey map (OS123) may be required to view the lanes and paths. I found my way by taking coordinates off the map and using my GPS.
    One gate needed to be opened to get access. There are sheep and cattle in the fields so the gate needs to be closed behind you.
    I walked to the site from Criccieth railway station so I ddn't have to consider parking.
    The weather was dull and drizzly while I was there in early November so it would be nice to see some pictures taken in better light.

    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Ystum Cegid Isaf by MartinBurke on Friday, 23 November 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
An extract from:

Proceeding of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Volume 2

Thursday December 5th 1850


“Nathaniel Neale Solley, Esq. …. communicated an account of a Cromlech known by the name of Ystumcegid, in the parish of Llanfihangel-y-Pennant in the county of Carnarvon… This Cromlech is placed at the edge of a field, with the walls of loose stone built up to it; round about are low undulating hills, much covered with large boulders of a sort of greenish trap-rock, and in the distance is a view of Cardigan bay. Three of the pillars or upright supports of the Cromlech are of this trap rock. The fourth supporting stone, as well as the slab forming the top, are composed of a hard gray stratified rock, which was probably obtained from the hills in the immediate neighbourhood, as many pieces or fragments of this stone, as well as the trap rock, are used in the construction of the adjoining walls. The top or roofing stone is nearly flat and resembles in shape a boy’s paper...

Read the rest of this post...
[ Reply to This ]

Your Name: Anonymous [ Register Now ]
Subject:


Add your comment or contribution to this page. Spam or offensive posts are deleted immediately, don't even bother

<<< What is five plus one as a number? (Please type the answer to this question in the little box on the left)
You can also embed videos and other things. For Youtube please copy and paste the 'embed code'.
For Google Street View please include Street View in the text.
Create a web link like this: <a href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk">This is a link</a>  

Allowed HTML is:
<p> <b> <i> <a> <img> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <tt> <li> <ol> <ul> <object> <param> <embed> <iframe>
We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.