List of Roman-to-modern scheduled monuments in Gwynedd facts for kids
Gwynedd is a large county in North Wales, known for its beautiful countryside. The northern part has the tall mountains of Snowdonia and the mixed farms and hills of the Lleyn peninsula. These areas used to be called Caernarvonshire. The southern part of Gwynedd has softer coastal areas and hills, which used to be Merionethshire. Gwynedd is the second largest county in Wales and has many important historical sites.
There are 497 Scheduled monuments in Gwynedd. These are special places protected by law because they are so old and important. It would be too much to list them all in one place! So, they are split into different lists. There are 365 prehistoric sites (from before written history), which are in two separate lists: 171 sites in former Merionethshire and 194 sites in former Caernarvonshire.
This article focuses on the 132 sites that date from Roman times all the way up to modern times, covering all of Gwynedd. Gwynedd is a single local authority today, but it used to be made up of parts of two historic counties. For a while, in 1974, it even joined with Anglesey, but since 1996, Anglesey has been its own separate county again.
These special sites are protected by law. This means it's against the law to dig up the ground or damage any old buildings there. The group that creates this list is called Cadw Welsh Historic Monuments. They work with other groups like RCAHMW and Gwynedd Archaeological Trust to find and protect these amazing places.
Contents
Discovering Gwynedd's Historic Sites
This section explores the amazing historical sites in Gwynedd, from the time of the Romans to more recent history.
Roman Era: Soldiers and Settlements
There are 16 Roman sites on this list. Most of them were built for the Roman army or for local defense. Imagine Roman soldiers living and working here!
- Pier Camp in Bangor: This was a strong hilltop fort. A Roman coin from the 4th century was found here.
- Dinas Emrys Camp in Beddgelert: This hilltop fort is linked to old Welsh legends about Vortigern and Merlin. People have found evidence from the Iron Age, Roman times, and the Dark Ages here.
- Brithdir Roman Fort in Brithdir and Llanfachreth: This was a small Roman fort, possibly with a settlement nearby.
- Segontium Roman Fort in Caernarfon: This was a very important Roman fort! Roman soldiers lived here from 77 AD to 394 AD, which is a super long time for a Roman fort in Wales. It was the main center for northwest Wales during that period. You can still see some of the excavated buildings today.
- Lower Roman Fort in Caernarfon: Another Roman fort in the area.
- Bryn-Glas Roman Signal Station in Caernarfon: A place where Romans would send signals, perhaps to other forts.
- Llanfor Roman Fort and Camps in Llandderfel: These sites were discovered from aerial photos!
- Caer Gai Roman Site in Llanuwchllyn: Another Roman fort.
- Dinas y Prif Camp in Llanwnda: An old Roman enclosure.
- Castell Tomen y Mur and Tomen y Mur in Maentwrog: These sites include a Roman amphitheatre and a Roman fort.
- Cefn-Caer Roman Site in Pennal: Another Roman fort.
- Roman Bath-House, Tremadoc in Porthmadog: Romans loved their bathhouses, and there was one here!
- Roman Kilns 225m SE of Pen-y-Stryd in Trawsfynydd: These kilns were used by the Romans.
- Dol-ddinas Roman Earthworks and Roman Practice Camp 440m WSW of Braich-ddu and Roman Practice Camps 190m W of Llyn Hiraethlyn in Trawsfynydd: These were practice camps for the Roman army.
- Roman Road Extending SE 650m from Llyn Hiraethlyn toward Glasgoed in Trawsfynydd: A section of an old Roman road.
Early Medieval Period: Mysterious Stones
The 14 early medieval monuments (sometimes called the Dark Ages) are mostly individual stones. They have carved crosses or other old writings on them. One even has a sundial!
- The Senacus Stone and The Veracius Stone in Aberdaron: These are old inscribed stones.
- Cross-Inscribed Stone in the Chapel, Bardsey Island and Inscribed Stone in the Chapel, Bardsey Island in Aberdaron: Stones with crosses or writings found on Bardsey Island.
- Sundial in Clynnog Fawr Churchyard in Clynnog: An old sundial in a churchyard.
- Cross Inscribed Stone Near Capel Uchaf in Clynnog: A stone with a cross carved into it.
- Gesail Gyfarch Inscribed Stone and Llystyn Gwyn Inscribed Stone in Dolbenmaen: More ancient inscribed stones.
- Early Christian Inscribed Stone in the Churchyard, Llanaelhaearn and Part of Inscribed Stone Built into Wall of Churchyard in Llanaelhaearn: Old Christian stones in a churchyard.
- Inscribed Stone in St Cian's Churchyard, Llangian in Llanengan: An inscribed stone in a churchyard.
- Cross-Incised Stone in Llangybi Churchyard in Llanystumdwy: A stone with a cross.
- Cross Slab Built into Farm Building Ty'n-y-Cae in Nefyn: A cross slab built into a farm building.
- Tymawr Cross-Incised Stone in Pistyll: A stone with a cross carved into it.
Medieval Times: Castles and Villages
The 53 sites from after the Norman Conquest (the medieval period) include famous castles that are part of the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd World Heritage Site. There are seven castles, 11 'mottes' (mounds where castles once stood), and seven enclosures. You can also find deserted villages, two abbeys, five chapels, and two holy wells.
- Aber Castle Mound (Pen-y-Mwd) in Aber: A castle mound.
- Medieval Homestead 400m SE of Maes y Gaer and Enclosure & Associated Structures at Pen-y-Bryn in Aber: Remains of medieval homes and enclosures.
- St Mary's Abbey, Bardsey Island in Aberdaron: An old abbey on Bardsey Island.
- Site of St Merin's Church, Long Houses, Enclosures & Field Systems, Bardsey Island, Capel Anelog, Long House South of Talarfor, and St Mary's Church in Aberdaron: Various medieval sites including churches, chapels, and longhouses.
- Llys Bradwen Medieval Site and Cyfannedd-Fach Homestead in Arthog: Medieval enclosures and homesteads.
- Tomen y Bala Castle Mound in Bala: A castle mound.
- Ty'n Twr in Bethesda: An unclassified medieval building.
- Hafod-y-Wern Long Hut and Ystrad Rural Settlement in Betws Garmon: Remains of medieval huts and a deserted village.
- Cored Gwyrfai Fish Weir in Bontnewydd: A medieval fish trap.
- Castell Cynfal, Bryn Crug in Bryn-crug: A castle mound.
- Caernarfon Town Walls and Caernarfon Castle in Caernarfon: Famous medieval town walls and a castle, part of a World Heritage Site.
- St Beuno's Well and Long Hut North of Cwm Farm in Clynnog: A holy well and a medieval hut.
- Criccieth Castle and Criccieth Castle, Outer Bank Defences in Criccieth: A medieval castle and its outer defenses.
- Dolbenmaen Castle Mound in Dolbenmaen: A castle mound.
- Maes Coch Deserted Rural Settlement in Dolgellau: A deserted medieval village.
- Settlement & Fields Systems above Egryn Abbey, Eithin-Fynydd Platform House Settlement, and Deserted Rural Settlement South of Ffridd Olchfa in Dyffryn Ardudwy: Medieval settlements and field systems.
- Harlech Castle in Harlech: Another famous medieval castle, part of a World Heritage Site.
- Medieval Ecclesiastical Structure SE of Ty'n y Coed Cottage in Llanbedr: A medieval chapel.
- Dolbadarn Castle and Cwm Brwynog Deserted Rural Settlement in Llanberis: A medieval castle and a deserted village.
- Rectangular Earthwork 110m NW of Coed Ty Mawr, Castell Llanddeiniolen, and Llys Dinorwig in Llanddeiniolen: Medieval earthworks, a castle mound, and an enclosure.
- Pen-Ucha'r-Llan Ringwork in Llandderfel: A medieval ringwork.
- Domen Ddreiniog in Llanegryn: A castle mound.
- Cymer Abbey and Cymmer Castle in Llanelltyd: A medieval abbey and a castle mound.
- Castell y Bere in Llanfihangel-y-Pennant: A medieval castle.
- Pont Maesgwm Deserted Rural Settlement in Llanfrothen: A deserted medieval village.
- Castell Gronw Castle Mound in Llangywer: A castle mound.
- Huts 90m N of Cil Twllan and Cwm Caseg Deserted Rural Settlement in Llanllechid: Medieval huts and a deserted village.
- Ty-Newydd Mound & Bailey Castle in Llannor: A medieval castle with a mound and outer area.
- Castell Carn Dochan in Llanuwchllyn: A medieval castle.
- Tomen Fawr, Ffynnon Gybi, and Penarth Fawr Medieval House in Llanystumdwy: A medieval ringwork, a holy well, and a medieval house.
- Tomen Las Castle Mound in Pennal: A castle mound.
- Inscribed Stone in Llanfihangel Traethau Churchyard and Llidiart-Garw Platform House and Paddock in Talsarnau: An inscribed stone and a medieval house platform.
- Castell Prysor in Trawsfynydd: A medieval castle.
Post-Medieval and Modern Times: Industry and War Defences
The 49 post-medieval sites include ten bridges, many sites related to quarries, mines, engine houses, and railways, and five World War II defences. These show how people lived and worked in more recent times.
- Bont-Newydd in Aber: A post-medieval bridge.
- Cwm Erch Copper Mine in Beddgelert: An old copper mine.
- Glasdir Copper and Gold Mine Mill in Brithdir and Llanfachreth: A mill from a copper and gold mine.
- Pont y Cim in Clynnog: A historic bridge.
- Water Balance Incline at Aberllefenni Slate Quarry in Corris: An incline at a slate quarry.
- Gorseddau or Ynysypandy Slate Factory, Gilfach Copper Mine, Gorseddau Slate Quarry, and Treforys Deserted Quarry Settlement in Dolbenmaen: Sites related to slate and copper mining.
- Pont Scethin in Dyffryn Ardudwy: A post-medieval bridge.
- Pont Dol-y-Moch in Ffestiniog: A post-medieval bridge.
- Berth-Llwyd & Cefn Coch Gold Mining Complex, Hermon or Dolfwynog Copper/Gold Bog Kiln, and Cwm Heisian West Lead and Gold Mine in Ganllwyd: Sites related to gold and copper mining.
- Pont Llanbedr in Llanbedr: A post-medieval bridge.
- Dinorwic Quarry: Hafod Owen Winding Engine, Locomotive Shed, Main Waterwheel and Housing, Dinorwic Quarry Barracks 'A' Incline, Vivian Slate Quarry, Inclines, Walia & associated structures, and Dinorwic Quarry in Llanddeiniolen: Important sites from the huge Dinorwic slate quarry.
- Pont Fawr in Llandderfel: A post-medieval bridge.
- Dinas Dinlle Seagull Trench in Llandwrog: A World War II defence.
- Slate Gwaliau at Felin Fawr, Penrhyn, Ogwen Fish Weir, and Cegin Viaduct (Penrhyn Railroad) in Llandygai: Sites related to slate, a fish weir, and a railway viaduct.
- Llanelltyd Bridge in Llanelltyd: A post-medieval bridge.
- Water Powered Chain Incline at Bryneglwys Slate Quarry and Alltwyllt Slate Quarry Incline in Llanfihangel-y-Pennant: Sites related to slate quarrying.
- Rhosydd Incline, Drumhouse & Tramway in Llanfrothen: An industrial monument from a quarry.
- Corn Drying Kiln Near Carn-Gadell Uchaf in Llangelynin: A kiln used for drying corn.
- The Holyhead Road: the Ogwen Pass in Llanllechid: A historic road.
- Drws y Coed Copper Mine, Dorothea Quarry Beam Engine, Dorothea Quarry, Pyramids, Inclines, Mill & Winding Houses, etc., Pen-yr-Orsedd Quarry, Blondins and Associated Structures, Ty Mawr East Slate Quarry Winding Engine House, Blaen y Cae Slate Quarry, and Cloddfa'r Lon Slate Quarry in Llanllyfni: Many sites related to copper and slate mining, including engine houses and quarries.
- Pont Tai-Hirion Old Bridge in Llanycil: An old bridge.
- Capel Gallt-Coed in Llanystumdwy: A post-medieval chapel.
- Afon Cynfal Deserted Rural Settlement and Afon Goch Deserted Rural Settlement in Maentwrog: Deserted rural settlements.
- Pont Minllyn in Mawddwy: A post-medieval bridge.
- Machynlleth Bridge in Pennal: A historic bridge.
- Cei Tyddyn Isa in Penrhyndeudraeth: A quarry site.
- Pen-y-Gwryd Pillboxes in Beddgelert: World War II pillboxes.
- Fairbourne Anti-invasion Defences in Arthog: World War II tank traps along the beach.
- Anti-invasion Defences 630m E of Cae'r-tyddyn in Brithdir and Llanfachreth: World War II anti-tank obstacles.
- Nant Ffrancon Anti-invasion Defences in Llandygai: World War II anti-invasion defences.
- Anti-invasion Defences 2000m NE of Cwmrhwyddfor Farm in Llanfihangel-y-Pennant: World War II anti-tank obstacles.
Images for kids
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View of Bangor and Penrhyn from the Roman Camp
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Dinas Emrys
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Looking NW across the site of the Segontium Roman Fort
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Castell Tomen y Mur
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Bardsey Island - St Mary's Abbey
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Caernarfon Town Wall
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Caernarfon Castle
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St Beuno's Well, Clynnog Fawr
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Criccieth Castle
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Harlech Castle at sundown
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Dolbadarn Castle, Llanberis Pass
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Cymer Abbey
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Castell y Bere courtyard
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Penarth Fawr, near Chwilog, Pwllheli
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Castell Prysor
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Bont Newydd
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historic bridge known as "Pont Y Cim"
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Pont Scethin
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Gold mine Mills
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Dinorwig quarry
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Pont Fawr
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Pont Llanelltyd
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Dorothea pumping engine
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Pont Tai-Hirion Old Bridge
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Pont Minllyn, Afon Dyfi
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Dovey Bridge, Machynlleth
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Dragon's teeth, Fairbourne beach defences
More About Wales's History
