Cors y Gedol - Neolithic Site Info
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Visited in January 2024 and was quite busy then! This is accessed via narrow lanes and there is a very small carpark at the end for approx 3 cars, 1.50 donation. no other realistic parking available as you would be blocking the lane or access gates to farms/fields etc. The path that runs past the chamber is tarmac so therefore flat, the chamber is just off it and is of course very rocky ground around it but you can easily view from the path if you are of limited mobility. Please keep dogs on leads as there are sheep around the field that the chamber is in and take your rubbish home!... Yes we picked up our dog's poo and took it home ????
This is Cors Y Gedol, situated in the old parish of Llanddwywe, an area which is full of the remnants of our Neolithic past. Just a few miles away is Gwern Einion, a monument we explored last week on our YouTube channel, and a pair of cromlech in Dyffryn Ardudwy which we will feature in our next video... Like those other sites, this one boasts spectacular views with Eryri on one side and the stretching coastline on the other...
The name Cors y Gedol comes from the name of the 16th century manor house which is close to the site. But in some old books, we found a couple of references to it being called Arthur's Quoit, or Coetan Arthur, a name that has been given to an incredible number of these monuments.
This name refers to legends of King Arthur throwing what is now the capstone of an ancient cromlech. Existing variations include Carreg Coetan Arthur in Newport, Coetan Arthur near st davids and Arthurs Stone on the Gower peninsula. But 100 years ago many more sites also bore the name, and even Pentre Ifan was referred to as Arthur's Quoit in some texts.
A quote from 1921, in an inventory of the ancient and historical monuments and constructions of the county of Merioneth:
"Of the prehistoric monuments of the county by far the most numerous are the ruins of the circular stone enclosures which are known, as well from traditional report as from actual scientific exploration in various parts of Britain, to have been the dwellings of a primitive people. There can be little doubt that many of the Merionethshire examples are genuine remains of early man, but it is equally certain that a considerable proportion are not of the antiquity with which they are generally credited. A number of these in the parishes of Llanaber and Llanddwywe were visited in late autumn when many were found to be partically water-logged, and in their then condition, were altogether beyond possibility of occupation as dwellings for however short a time.
On the uncertain problem of whether all cromlechs were originally covered by earth or stones the study of the Merionethshire examples does not help towards a definite solution. The great carneddau at Hengwm were manifestly intended to cover the huge cists which, partially exposed, remain still in position, but it may be questioned if the Dyfrryn cromlechau were ever so hidden."
We have a lovely video about this site on our YouTube channel, Corlajackz...
Amazing neolithic burial chamber site with lovely views over the rugged hills and Cardigan Bay. Bit out of the way but has easy paved access for anyone with mobility issues (you could even get a wheelchair to it if needed without major problems). Not very big of course but essential for collectors of stone age sites.
Great place to hide from the rain or sun. It's best to park down the hill and walk up. We were lucky to have met a local who gave us a tale of how the stone got there.
When there are no clouds, the view is amazing. I do recommend that place. The car park is free but they ask for donations of £1.50.
Lovely little find!
Not a large site, just at the side of a small road!
Beautiful location
Wales best kept secret could do with better signs! Worth the visit if you are within 50 miles of this place. Beautiful and will take your breath away .If you cant find it drive up the road as far as you can go and there will be a car park on your right hand side. Park there and the will be a paved road follow that until you get there.
It's a very steep drive to get up too. Car park at the top very small. Make sure you go through the correct Gate, otherwise your loose hours walking in the wrong direction. Steep climb after parking. Unfortunately, I took the wrong gate, so I missed the stones completely. No sign posting. I was sorry to have missed it and left with a negative experience. It was almost like nobody wanted anybody to find it. In my case, they succeeded!!
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