St Lythans Burial Chamber: A Majestic Neolithic Dolmen in the Vale of Glamorgan
Explore the ancient Neolithic St Lythans Burial Chamber, a mysterious dolmen near Cardiff with towering stones and rich legends.
St Lythans Burial Chamber is a striking Neolithic dolmen built around 4000 BC, located near Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. This ancient chambered tomb features three tall upright stones supporting a massive capstone, originally covered by a long earthen mound. The site remains largely unexcavated, preserving its mystery and offering a glimpse into early communal burial practices and prehistoric ceremonial life.
A brief summary to St Lythans Burial Chamber
- Cardiff, Wenvoe, GB
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 3 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-4 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
- Thursday 10 am-4 pm
- Friday 10 am-4 pm
- Saturday 10 am-4 pm
- Sunday 10 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Wear sturdy footwear as the site can be slippery and uneven, especially in wet weather.
- Visit during daylight hours when the site is open for the best visibility and safety.
- Bring a camera to capture the dramatic silhouette of the massive capstone against the sky.
- Respect the monument by not climbing on the stones to help preserve this ancient site.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Car
Driving from Cardiff city center takes approximately 20–30 minutes via the A48 road. Parking is limited near the site, so plan to park in nearby designated areas and walk the final stretch across farmland. No parking fees apply.
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Public Transport
Take the train to Waun-gron Park station, about 7 km from the site, then use local bus services or a taxi for the remaining distance. Total travel time from Cardiff is around 45–60 minutes. Bus services may be infrequent on weekends.
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Walking
For active visitors, a countryside walk of approximately 2.5 km from Wenvoe village offers a scenic approach over gentle terrain. The path is unpaved and may be muddy in wet weather, requiring sturdy footwear.
St Lythans Burial Chamber location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about St Lythans Burial Chamber
An Enduring Monument of Neolithic Engineering
St Lythans Burial Chamber stands as a remarkable example of Neolithic megalithic architecture, constructed around 4000 BC during the mid-Neolithic period. The tomb is a dolmen, a type of chambered long barrow characterized by large upright stones (orthostats) supporting a heavy capstone. The chamber itself is formed by three tall orthostats, unusually high compared to similar monuments, which support a rectangular capstone measuring approximately 14 by 10 feet. Originally, the tomb was covered by an earthen mound about 27 meters long and 11 meters wide, though only traces of this remain today, leaving the imposing stones exposed to the open sky.Landscape and Archaeological Context
Situated in the field known as Maes-y-Felin, near Wenvoe on the outskirts of Cardiff, the burial chamber occupies a commanding position at about 70 meters above sea level. Excavations in 2012 revealed that the chamber was once buried within a large cairn of stones approximately 30 meters long and 12 meters wide. The site has never been fully excavated, preserving its enigmatic aura. Finds of human remains and pottery date back to the Neolithic, with additional artifacts from later periods suggesting intermittent use or sheltering during the Iron Age, Roman, and medieval times. The surrounding field is traditionally called the “Accursed Field,” reputedly barren, adding to the site's folklore.Cultural Significance and Legends
Beyond its archaeological importance, St Lythans Burial Chamber is steeped in local legend and myth. Its Welsh name, Maes-y-Felin, meaning “The Mill in the Meadow,” connects to stories that the capstone spins three times on Midsummer’s Eve and that the stones bathe in the nearby river on the same night. The site is also linked to Arthurian legend, with some interpretations connecting it to tales in medieval Welsh texts. Historically, the tomb was once referred to as a kennel for greyhounds, reflecting a period when early Christians may have repurposed or dismissed such pagan monuments.Visitor Experience and Atmosphere
Today, St Lythans Burial Chamber stands isolated in a tranquil rural setting, offering visitors a direct connection to Wales’ deep prehistoric past. The bare stones and open surroundings create a solemn yet powerful atmosphere, inviting contemplation of ancient rituals and the passage of millennia. The site’s elevated position provides scenic views of the Vale of Glamorgan landscape. Visitors should be mindful of safety as the stones are exposed to natural elements and can be slippery when wet. The monument’s simplicity and mystery make it a compelling destination for those interested in archaeology, history, and mythology.Conservation and Accessibility
Managed by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, St Lythans Burial Chamber is open to the public year-round during daylight hours, with no entrance fee. Conservation efforts have stabilized the site, including replacing soil and turf to protect eroded areas. While there are no visitor facilities on site, the surrounding countryside offers a peaceful setting. Access requires appropriate footwear due to uneven terrain. The site’s preservation as a largely unexcavated tomb maintains its authenticity and invites ongoing curiosity about its original builders and their culture.Connections to Wider Neolithic Heritage
St Lythans forms part of a broader tradition of chambered tombs across Wales and the British Isles, contemporaneous with famous sites like Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza, but predating them by over a millennium. It shares characteristics with other Severn-Cotswold type monuments, emphasizing communal burial and ceremonial functions. Its intervisibility with nearby tombs like Tinkinswood suggests a network of prehistoric sites with possible social or ritual connections. This enduring monument offers a tangible link to the dawn of farming communities and their spiritual landscapes in prehistoric Britain.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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