1. Home
  2. Wales
  3. North Wales
  4. Gwynedd
  5. Caernarfonshire
  6. Maes y Gaer

Maes y Gaer

Heritage Site in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Maes y Gaer

Tan-y-clogwyn A group of cottages at the corner of Ffordd Gwyllt above the Morfa Madryn.
Tan-y-clogwyn Credit: Jonathan Wilkins

Maes y Gaer is a historic heritage site situated in Caernarfonshire, Wales. It is located on a hilltop near the village of Llanbedr-y-Cennin, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and the Snowdonia National Park. This site holds immense historical significance, dating back to the Iron Age.

The highlight of Maes y Gaer is its well-preserved hillfort, which served as a defensive fortification during ancient times. The fort occupies an area of approximately 2.8 hectares and is encircled by multiple earthwork ramparts and ditches. These defensive features were constructed using local stone and earth, showcasing the engineering skills of the Iron Age inhabitants.

Archaeological excavations at Maes y Gaer have uncovered various artifacts, including pottery, metalwork, and tools, providing valuable insights into the daily life of the people who once occupied this hillfort. These findings indicate that the site was inhabited from the 1st century BCE until the Roman conquest of Wales in the 1st century CE.

Visitors to Maes y Gaer can explore the remains of the hillfort and imagine the lives of its ancient inhabitants. The site is easily accessible through a well-maintained footpath, and informative signage provides historical context for visitors. Additionally, the panoramic views from the hilltop offer a stunning backdrop for those interested in photography or simply appreciating the natural beauty of the area.

Overall, Maes y Gaer is a fascinating heritage site in Caernarfonshire, showcasing the intriguing history and archaeological significance of Wales' Iron Age hillforts.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Maes y Gaer Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.232/-4 or Grid Reference SH6672. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Tan-y-clogwyn A group of cottages at the corner of Ffordd Gwyllt above the Morfa Madryn.
Tan-y-clogwyn
A group of cottages at the corner of Ffordd Gwyllt above the Morfa Madryn.
Footpath to Llys-y-gwynt A footpath running around the foot of the mountain grazing.
Footpath to Llys-y-gwynt
A footpath running around the foot of the mountain grazing.
Ffordd Gwyllt Looking down from the zig-zag track to the fields bordering Ffordd Gwyllt. A slight atmospheric haze softens the potentially harsh light of this early Spring image.
Ffordd Gwyllt
Looking down from the zig-zag track to the fields bordering Ffordd Gwyllt. A slight atmospheric haze softens the potentially harsh light of this early Spring image.
Coed Tan-yr-allt The delightful woodland on the steepest slopes above Madryn is traversed by tracks put in for access, but the woods are private property.
Coed Tan-yr-allt
The delightful woodland on the steepest slopes above Madryn is traversed by tracks put in for access, but the woods are private property.
Long distance path The North Wales LDP follows the zig-zag access track up the steep hillside. Here there is a gate where the track leaves the Gorddinog estate, whose boundary is marked by a fine wall. The track follows the wall until the next hair-pin bend.
Long distance path
The North Wales LDP follows the zig-zag access track up the steep hillside. Here there is a gate where the track leaves the Gorddinog estate, whose boundary is marked by a fine wall. The track follows the wall until the next hair-pin bend.
Bod Silin A beautiful Winter treescape at Bod Silin, with a variety of colours and forms on view in the largely deciduous woodland of the Gorddinog Estate. The strong boundary wall is very evident, but the cottage is almost invisible in the trees.
Bod Silin
A beautiful Winter treescape at Bod Silin, with a variety of colours and forms on view in the largely deciduous woodland of the Gorddinog Estate. The strong boundary wall is very evident, but the cottage is almost invisible in the trees.
Sheep pens by Bod Silin An eclectic mixture of building materials at the sheep pens. Glacially-derived boulders form much of the estate wall, with its top course in shaped blocks of micro-diorite from the Penmaenmawr quarries, while riven-slate pales and corrugated-iron are use to impound the sheep.
Sheep pens by Bod Silin
An eclectic mixture of building materials at the sheep pens. Glacially-derived boulders form much of the estate wall, with its top course in shaped blocks of micro-diorite from the Penmaenmawr quarries, while riven-slate pales and corrugated-iron are use to impound the sheep.
Pasture and Coed Gorddinog Below Bod Silin the wide field drops away in a shallow valley leading towards Nant y felin-fach and the wooded slopes above Gorddinog. The open pasture has a park-like appearance, with isolated mature trees, some of which show evidence of a hard life - like this Oak which has shed some major limbs.
Pasture and Coed Gorddinog
Below Bod Silin the wide field drops away in a shallow valley leading towards Nant y felin-fach and the wooded slopes above Gorddinog. The open pasture has a park-like appearance, with isolated mature trees, some of which show evidence of a hard life - like this Oak which has shed some major limbs.
Nant y felin-fach The footpath from Bod Silin crosses the nant here, at a ford with low stepping stones. There are many paths in the woods, which are privately owned and inaccessible. My Geograph assistants wanted to play here as they thought it was just their sort of territory.
Nant y felin-fach
The footpath from Bod Silin crosses the nant here, at a ford with low stepping stones. There are many paths in the woods, which are privately owned and inaccessible. My Geograph assistants wanted to play here as they thought it was just their sort of territory.
Glacial erratic boulder A monster of a glacially-derived boulder lies partly buried at the foot of the slope by Rhiwiau-isaf.
Glacial erratic boulder
A monster of a glacially-derived boulder lies partly buried at the foot of the slope by Rhiwiau-isaf.
Rhiwiau-isaf Looking across pasture to Rhiwiau-isaf, which is now offering bed & breakfast accommodation, though the map confidently refers still to a venture as a riding centre which seems to have concluded.
Rhiwiau-isaf
Looking across pasture to Rhiwiau-isaf, which is now offering bed & breakfast accommodation, though the map confidently refers still to a venture as a riding centre which seems to have concluded.
Footpath near Rhiwiau-isaf Ascending one of the network of footpaths above Llys-y-gwynt. My assistants are still on their leads, but for a camera-moment I am not holding them. We all love the early Spring before the Bracken takes over!
Footpath near Rhiwiau-isaf
Ascending one of the network of footpaths above Llys-y-gwynt. My assistants are still on their leads, but for a camera-moment I am not holding them. We all love the early Spring before the Bracken takes over!
View to Garreg Fawr Looking over sheep pasture above Rhiwiau-isaf and Llys-y-gwynt towards the distant eminence of Garreg Fawr (see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4157764">SH6873 : Quarry, Garreg Fawr</a>).
View to Garreg Fawr
Looking over sheep pasture above Rhiwiau-isaf and Llys-y-gwynt towards the distant eminence of Garreg Fawr (see SH6873 : Quarry, Garreg Fawr).
View to Coed y rhiwiau View over Rhiwiau-isaf to Coed y rhiwiau and the distant hills.
View to Coed y rhiwiau
View over Rhiwiau-isaf to Coed y rhiwiau and the distant hills.
Generator House, Abergwyngregyn Hydro Scheme
Generator House, Abergwyngregyn Hydro Scheme
Aber Road by Hafod Fadog
Aber Road by Hafod Fadog
Road bridge over the A55 The road runs to Madryn.
Road bridge over the A55
The road runs to Madryn.
Station Road in Abergwyngregyn
Station Road in Abergwyngregyn
Show me another place!

Maes y Gaer is located at Grid Ref: SH6672 (Lat: 53.232, Lng: -4)

Unitary Authority: Gwynedd

Police Authority: North Wales

What 3 Words

///widely.testy.stages. Near Aber, Gwynedd

Nearby Locations

Bont Newydd Allt y Bont Coed Tan-yr-allt Maes y Gaer

Related Wikis

Anafon River
Anafon River

The Anafon River, or Afon Anafon, is a river in Gwynedd, Wales, that flows into the Afon Aber. It originates on the slopes of Foel-fras and the Drum of...

Pen y Bryn
Pen y Bryn

Pen y Bryn is a two-storey manor house, in Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, in north-west Wales, adjacent to the A55, five miles east of Bangor and eight miles...

Kingdom of Ceredigion
Kingdom of Ceredigion

The Kingdom of Ceredigion was one of several Welsh kingdoms that emerged in post-Roman Britain in the mid-5th century. Cardigan Bay to the west and the...

Powys Wenwynwyn
Powys Wenwynwyn

Powys Wenwynwyn or Powys Cyfeiliog was a Welsh kingdom which existed during the high Middle Ages. The realm was the southern portion of the former princely...

Kingdom of Powys
Kingdom of Powys

The Kingdom of Powys (Welsh: Teyrnas Powys; Latin: Regnum Poysiae) was a Welsh successor state, petty kingdom and principality that emerged during the...

Seisyllwg
Seisyllwg

Seisyllwg (Welsh: [sɛiˈsəɬʊɡ]) was a petty kingdom of medieval Wales. It is unclear when it emerged as a distinct unit, but according to later sources...

Glywysing
Glywysing

Glywysing was, from the sub-Roman period to the Early Middle Ages, a petty kingdom in south-east Wales. Its people were descended from the Iron Age tribe...

Abergwyngregyn
Abergwyngregyn

Abergwyngregyn (Welsh: [abɛrɡwɨnˈɡrɛɡɨn]) is a village and community of historical note in Gwynedd, a county and principal area in Wales. Under its historic...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 53.232,-4
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.2287984/-4.0043825
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.2299527/-4.0050103
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.2303427/-4.0057044
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.229486/-4.0046793
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.2302923/-4.0065591
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Maes-y-Gaer Hillfort
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 53.2328605/-4.0039784
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Maes y Gaer
Alt Name: Maes-y-Gaer
Ele: 221
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 53.2325382/-4.004349
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Disused Barrier: gate
Lat/Long: 53.2278695/-4.0010351
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 53.2300922/-3.99449
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Passing Place
Passing Place: right
Lat/Long: 53.2297464/-4.0060951
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Natural: spring
Lat/Long: 53.2342838/-4.0006498
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Man Made: adit
Lat/Long: 53.2354925/-3.9998923
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Maen-serth Radnorshire
Maesbury Castle Somerset

Have you been to Maes y Gaer?

Leave your review of Maes y Gaer below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy