Sweyne's Howes

Heritage Site in Glamorgan

Wales

Sweyne's Howes

Cliff cleft  reveals Rhossili Beach The scale of these imposing cliffs can be ascertained by referring to the diminutive figures perched on their top.
Cliff cleft reveals Rhossili Beach Credit: Stuart Logan

Sweyne's Howes, located in Glamorgan, Wales, is a notable heritage site and one of the finest surviving examples of chambered tombs in the region. This ancient burial site dates back to the Neolithic period, around 5,000 years ago, making it a significant archaeological and historical site.

The site consists of two burial mounds, known as round barrows, which are situated on a ridge in the rural landscape. The mounds are circular in shape and constructed using earth and stones. The larger mound measures approximately 30 meters in diameter, while the smaller one is around 20 meters in diameter.

Excavations conducted on the site have revealed that the burials within the mounds were communal, with multiple individuals interred together. The remains discovered include both adults and children, suggesting that the site was used by a local community for several generations.

The chambers within the mounds were likely used for multiple burials and were accessed through a narrow passage. The construction of these chambers using large stones is a testament to the advanced building techniques of the Neolithic people.

Sweyne's Howes provides valuable insights into the burial practices and social structures of ancient communities in Glamorgan. The site is not only of historical significance but also offers a picturesque view of the surrounding countryside, making it a popular attraction for visitors interested in archaeology and prehistoric culture.

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Sweyne's Howes Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.582/-4.273 or Grid Reference SS4289. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cliff cleft  reveals Rhossili Beach The scale of these imposing cliffs can be ascertained by referring to the diminutive figures perched on their top.
Cliff cleft reveals Rhossili Beach
The scale of these imposing cliffs can be ascertained by referring to the diminutive figures perched on their top.
Rhossili Bay Looking north across a deserted beach in early March. Mist touching the top of Rhossili Down on the right.
Rhossili Bay
Looking north across a deserted beach in early March. Mist touching the top of Rhossili Down on the right.
The Bristol Channel At Rhossili Beach.
The Bristol Channel
At Rhossili Beach.
The Wreck of the Helvetia Remains of a shipwreck on Rhossili Beach.
The Wreck of the Helvetia
Remains of a shipwreck on Rhossili Beach.
Rhossili Beach Showing the foot of Rhossili Down on The Gower.
Rhossili Beach
Showing the foot of Rhossili Down on The Gower.
Rhossili Down From Rhossili Beach on The Gower.
Rhossili Down
From Rhossili Beach on The Gower.
Turn of the tide on Rhossili Beach I just caught these few square yards of sand between breakers, shortly after low tide - but I had to leg it up back the beach when the next wave came in!
Turn of the tide on Rhossili Beach
I just caught these few square yards of sand between breakers, shortly after low tide - but I had to leg it up back the beach when the next wave came in!
Rhossili village
Rhossili village
Repair work on Rhossili church Repointing the stonework on the church before the winter gets into it.
Repair work on Rhossili church
Repointing the stonework on the church before the winter gets into it.
The Norman doorway of St Mary the Virgin church
The Norman doorway of St Mary the Virgin church
Scratch sundial outside the door of the church
Scratch sundial outside the door of the church
Inside the church of St Mary the Virgin
Inside the church of St Mary the Virgin
Edgar Evans - memorial Petty Officer Edgar Evans (born 1876 in Middleton) accompanied Robert Scott on the ill-fated Antarctic expedition, and perished along with the rest of the Pole party in Feb 1912.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Evans" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Evans">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Edgar Evans - memorial
Petty Officer Edgar Evans (born 1876 in Middleton) accompanied Robert Scott on the ill-fated Antarctic expedition, and perished along with the rest of the Pole party in Feb 1912. LinkExternal link
The classic view of Rhossili Bay from the southern end
The classic view of Rhossili Bay from the southern end
That's about all you get... A few square yards of sand, near the bottom of a normal tide, between breakers. As the tide came up, a moderate swell developed, and the surfers came out to play at the southern end of the beach.
That's about all you get...
A few square yards of sand, near the bottom of a normal tide, between breakers. As the tide came up, a moderate swell developed, and the surfers came out to play at the southern end of the beach.
A daft dog on Rhossili beach Low water on Rhossili beach, and plenty of space to run around.
A daft dog on Rhossili beach
Low water on Rhossili beach, and plenty of space to run around.
Immediately after low tide on Rhossili beach
Immediately after low tide on Rhossili beach
Hillend campsite from the northern end of Rhossili Down The bridleway climbs steeply up the northern end of the Down, but the effort is worthwhile as more and more of the northwards view towards the small island of Burry Holms opens up.
Hillend campsite from the northern end of Rhossili Down
The bridleway climbs steeply up the northern end of the Down, but the effort is worthwhile as more and more of the northwards view towards the small island of Burry Holms opens up.
Show me another place!

Sweyne's Howes is located at Grid Ref: SS4289 (Lat: 51.582, Lng: -4.273)

Unitary Authority: Swansea

Police Authority: South Wales

What 3 Words

///heaven.forgiving.bats. Near Rhossili, Swansea

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.582,-4.273
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 51.586056/-4.271742
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 51.585628/-4.271976
Gower Way 3
Information: route_marker
Marker: stone
Name Cy: Ffordd Gŵyr 3
Ref: 3
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 51.579999/-4.2677808
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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