Ancient Monuments in Anglesey

Ancient Monuments on Anglesey in North Wales

Anglesey, Llanddaniel, Bryn Celli Ddu, General view of the front
Anglesey, Llanddaniel, Bryn Celli Ddu. General view of the front.

These places of magic, mystical megaliths and burial chambers, these places of ancient sorrowful goodbyes and grateful thanksgiving, these places of sacrifice and ceremony, are in abundance here on Anglesey.

The island of Anglesey in North Wales is rich with ancient monuments – over 120 scheduled ancient monuments – that are thousands of years old, and these atmospheric jewels in Anglesey’s crown are well worth a visit. There are, for example, approximately 30 Neolithic / Bronze age burial chambers on the island, several ancient settlements, and Anglesey standing stones are abundant. We are not really aware of their purpose and we have yet to understand many of their secrets, but it is clear they were to do with some kind of pagan / pre-Christian worship. I have read that the strategic location of the Neolithic sites may represent Sagittarius – and that may be the case – but whatever the truth is, they were certainly very important to the people that inhabited our island before us.

Most, but not all, are located within view of Anglesey’s shores. In most cases, the locations are in an elevated position, often within clear view of the Snowdonia mountain range on the mainland. Please ensure that you appreciate how important these sites are, and that care must be taken in order for their successful preservation to continue.

Wherever you travel throughout Anglesey, you are sure to see ancient standing stones, and most would be between 4500 and 5000 years old. The earliest signs of life on Anglesey found during archaeological digs are 8,000 years old, and they are flint workings near Aberffraw.

Without a doubt, this website has the most complete record and photographs of Anglesey’s ancient monuments – and yet I still have so many to do.

Pen yr Orsedd Standing Stone 1

This impressive Pen yr Orsedd standing stone must stand at least 11 or 12 feet tall. In an elevated position, it commands a view far and wide. If – as I believe – these stones are memorials to early chieftains, then this was to one held in

Penrhos Feilw Pair of Standing Stones

This site dates from the early Bronze age (2000-1500 BC) and the pair of standing stones are quite enigmatic. They face Holyhead mountain, but also Snowdonia, which is probably their true focus. They stand about 11 foot tall, and the same distance apart. Located within a couple

Maenaddwyn Standing Stone

Yet another large stone, almost impossible to recognise as a stone because it is covered in ivy. Situated between the villages of Maenaddwyn and Capel Coch, it forms part of a wall directly opposite a small school.

Llech Golman Standing Stone

Go through the villages of Capel Coch and then Maenaddwyn. When you reach the T junction, turn left. After a distance of around a third of a mile, turn left onto a farm road. The road is not tarmacked but is easily travelled by car. Carry on

Llanfaethlu Standing Stone

Named the Soar Standing Stone after the chapel situated next to the field it occupies. This impressive large stone is situated on the A5025. Travelling from Valley on Anglesey in the direction of Llanfaethlu, you approach a chapel on your right next to a pub named the

Llandegfan Standing Stone

The Pen y Maen standing stone is close to the village of Llandegfan and is easily spotted because of the elevated position it enjoys. I travelled on the A55 road from the Holyhead direction, turning off just before the Stephenson tubular bridge, signposted for Menai Bridge. Turning

Cunogussus Inscribed Stone

Possibly a prehistoric standing stone which was re-used in 520 AD as a burial marker. Inscribed CVNOGVSI HIC IACIT – meaning The stone of Cunogussus – He lies here. Standing at six and a half feet tall and 2 and a half feet wide, it is located