Bryn Euryn facts for kids
Bryn Euryn is a cool hill in Conwy County Borough, Wales. It's a special place for nature, known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. At the very top, you'll find a trig point, which is a marker used by mapmakers.
This hill stands tall above the seaside town of Rhos-on-Sea and the village of Mochdre, Conwy. It's about 131 metres (430 feet) high. At the bottom of the hill, you can see the old remains of a place called Llys Euryn.
Contents
Discovering Dinerth: An Ancient Hillfort
What Was Dinerth?
Bryn Euryn offers amazing views of the Conwy Valley and the coast. Long ago, this spot was home to an ancient hillfort. A hillfort was like a strong, walled village built on a hill for protection.
Digging Up the Past
Archaeologists from the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust started digging here in 1997. They found a huge, well-built wall made from limestone rocks. Experts believe this wall was once about 3 metres (10 feet) tall! It also had a thick layer of rubble in front of it, making it even stronger.
Who Lived Here?
The archaeologists didn't find specific items that told them exactly who lived there. However, the way the fort was built, before the Normans arrived, made them think it might be linked to an early king.
A researcher named David Longley thought it could be the home of Cynlas the Red. He was a king of Rhos in the early 500s. An old text mentions a "Bear Den" (receptaculi ursi). Since a local name for the area is Dinerth, which means "Fort Bear" (Din Eirth), it seemed like a good match!
Bryn Euryn in World War II
The hilltop was used again during World War II. First, the Home Guard used it as an observation post. This meant they watched for enemy activity from the top of the hill.
Later, the RAF took over. They set up one of the very first radar stations there. This radar helped them spot German bombers flying towards Liverpool.
