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.

Carreg y Bwgan Standing Stone

Carreg y Bwgan (Bogey Man’s Rock) is of course not an ancient monument, but as it is so well-known to everyone in Holyhead as a local ‘standing stone’ I will include photographs of it here – purely out of interest. To locate Carreg y Bwgan from Holyhead

Carreg Lleidr (Robbers Stone)

Located in a field not far from the village of Llandyfrydog on Anglesey. A standing stone to which several myths are attributed. The most popular – because of the shape of the stone – is that a man robbed a church. Throwing his bag of stolen property

Bryn Gwyn Standing Stones

This impressive ancient monument is worth a visit – believe me! From Brynsiencyn take the A4080 towards Newborough. On the left-hand side of the road you will come to a layby with a CADW sign for Castell Bryn Gwyn. I believe that if I had walked back

Bodewryd Standing Stone

Certainly one of the tallest and mythical of Anglesey’s standing stones. I didn’t have any measuring tape with me but it was about double my height, and must, therefore, be between 11 and 12 feet tall. Stands erect in the middle of a field on the Plas

Trefignath Burial Chambers

This site was built on a base of natural stone. and consisted of 3 separate burial chambers. Prior to their erection, this site was inhabited. It was only when habitation ceased that these burial chambers were erected. Using carbon dating on objects found underneath these chambers the

Rhoscolyn Burial Chamber

A possibly fake ancient monument on the island of Anglesey, situated near to Borthwen Beach in Rhoscolyn. In extremely good condition and looking out over the sea. Easily accessible from the beach. Doubt has been cast over its authenticity. Locals remember it being there in the 1940s.

Presaddfed Burial Chambers

These burial chambers are located just on the outskirts of the village of Bodedern on an estate named Presaddfed. There are the remains of two Neolithic burial chambers, possibly a portal tomb. Amazingly they were reputedly used in the 1700s as a squat (for a small family?).

Plas Newydd Burial Chambers

A stunning yet simple pair of ancient burial chambers especially appreciated during the rising of the sun. This burial chamber is on a private estate, and permission must be obtained to view. There are 2 chambers, one larger than the other, with individual capstones on each. Finding

Pant y Saer Cromlech Burial Chamber

This an impressive Cromlech (Burial Chamber) with a large capstone. Excavated in the 19th century, and also in 1933 by Lindsay Scott. During these excavations pottery and bones were discovered, in fact, I have also read that up to 40 burials were discovered here. Pant y Saer