Bachwen Neolithic Portal Dolmen Tomb

Description
Visiting Information

Ancient burial chamber with intriguing carvings

A beautiful and enigmatic structure overlooking the sea on the Llŷn Peninsula, this type of tomb is known as a portal dolmen. The one at Bachwen is thought to be some 5000 years old, which would place it in the Neolithic era.

The dolmen, or tomb, comprises four upright stones covered by a large, flat, wedge-shaped capstone. This capstone is littered with so-called cup-marks, small circular indentations carved into the flat surface. There are said to be over a hundred of these on the upper surface, with a further eight carved into the eastern face of the stone. They are thought to have had a religious or spiritual significance.

There is much speculation as to how the tomb would have appeared when it was built. It has been suggested that the top of the capstone was left open to the elements, with the gaps between the uprights filled with dry-stone walling. Nobody is really sure. It is generally believed that most tombs of this type were covered over with earth so that only the entrance was left exposed.

Directions

By Road

Clynnog Fawr is on the A499 Caernarfon to Pwllheli road.

By Rail

Bangor - 18.7 miles

By Bus

Bus stop at Clynnog near the church

By Bike

Cycle route alongside A499

Walking

1 mile from the centre of Clynnog Fawr. Cross new road and follow footpath towards direction of the sea. Footpath turns left along fields to monument.