King's Quoit facts for kids
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 Location in Pembrokeshire
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| Location | Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, Wales |
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| Coordinates | 51°38′26.88″N 4°48′21.72″W / 51.6408000°N 4.8060333°W |
| Type | Burial chamber |
| History | |
| Periods | Neolithic |
King's Quoit is a very old stone structure found in Manorbier, a beautiful coastal village in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It's located about 5 miles (8 kilometers) east of Pembroke, Pembrokeshire. This special place is a burial chamber from the Neolithic period. This means it was built by people living a very, very long time ago, when farming first began in Britain. King's Quoit is also a scheduled monument, which means it's protected by law because it's so important to history.
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What is King's Quoit?
King's Quoit is a type of ancient tomb or monument. It was built during the Neolithic Age, also known as the New Stone Age. This period was from around 4,500 BC to 2,500 BC. During this time, people started to farm the land and live in settled communities.
Understanding Neolithic Burial Chambers
Neolithic burial chambers like King's Quoit were often used as places to bury important people. They might also have been used for ceremonies. These structures show how clever and organized ancient people were. They moved huge stones without modern tools.
Why is it a Scheduled Monument?
Being a scheduled monument means King's Quoit is a nationally important site. It's protected by the government. This protection helps make sure that this ancient structure is preserved for future generations. It stops people from damaging it or building on top of it.
Where to Find King's Quoit
This amazing ancient monument is located south of Manorbier Bay. It sits on high ground above the steep cliffs. From its spot, you can look out over the beautiful bay and beach below. Its position suggests it was a very important place.
The View from King's Quoit
Imagine standing where ancient people once stood. You can see the sea stretching out in front of you. The location of King's Quoit offers stunning views. It makes you wonder why they chose this exact spot for such a significant structure.
What King's Quoit Looks Like
King's Quoit is sometimes called a cromlech. This is a type of megalithic tomb. Megalithic means "made of large stones." The main part of King's Quoit is a huge capstone. This is a very large, flat stone that forms the roof of the chamber.
The Giant Capstone
The capstone at King's Quoit is impressive. It measures about 4 meters (13 feet) long and 2.5 meters (8 feet) wide. It is also about 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) thick. This massive stone is partly held up by the rising ground. Two upright stones also help to support it.
The Supporting Stones
Originally, there might have been more supporting stones. One upright stone to the east has fallen over time. The burial chamber itself is partly below the ground. This design helped to create a secure and protected space. It also shows how people used the natural landscape in their building.
