Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Ffridd Fechan Fort
Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Hillfort
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Date of designation
- 7 May 1991
- Community
- Barmouth
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.74056, -4.05257
- SAM number
- ME127
- Cadw record number
- 2495
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.
The monument comprises the remains of a hillfort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c.800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). Hillforts are usually located on hilltops and surrounded by a single or multiple earthworks of massive proportions. Hillforts must have formed symbols of power within the landscape, while their function may have had as much to do with ostentation and display as defence.
This small hillfort stands on a steep-sided rocky hill, with impressive views over the coastal area below. It is defensible except that it is overlooked on the north-east by higher ground within projectile range. The interior is oval, and uneven, with outcropping rock and several steps or (at least partly) natural small terraces within; more than one of these looks likely to have been utilised as a hut platform. The wall remains to a height of 1m, often more, on the north and east, except where the modern field wall, which cuts off a sliver of the site on the north-west, goes through. On the north-east the gap utilised by this wall could be the original entrance. On the south and west much less of the wall survives; as there is no field wall here the cause is unlikely to be robbing, and it seems that the stone has simply fallen off the hillside - some can be seen scattered below. Several areas of external facing survive, particularly on the N. The construction method can be seen: the wall is composed of long, narrow slabs, laid at right-angles to the line of the wall to form the body of it, but with a facing on the outside (and possibly once also on the inside) of the same kind of slabs laid parallel with the wall.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric context and within the surrounding landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.
Nearby in the register
- Deserted Rural Settlement South of Ffridd OlchfaDeserted Rural Settlementunder 1 mi
- Hut Circle at GellfawrUnenclosed hut circleunder 1 mi
- Barn at Llwyn Onn BachAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
- Llwyn Onn Bach FarmhouseDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.