Worth visiting, this well-preserved and well-known complex of stone houses is located within a stone enclosure on Anglesey. Its an interesting combination of round and rectangular huts, which some historians have suggested is indicative of an Iron Age villa.
The houses stone walls and defences comprise limestone slabs, standing up straight on their edges. Some of these buildings would have been domestic, others were workshops. Finds including metalwork, pottery and glassware indicate a settlement which continued into the Roman period.
The site stands on a low cliff and is worth a visit for the view alone. Entry to the site is through a rectangular building on the east side a barn which doubled as a gatehouse.
Din Lligwy has many striking features. In one corner are the remains of a large and impressive house, a well-built circle of large limestone slabs with steps up to the entrance. This was the principal domestic building and finds here include a silver ingot, pottery and glassware.
Historians suggest that the other round building in the south-east corner was also domestic, whereas the two largest rectangular buildings, in the north-east corner and against the south wall, were workshops with rows of iron-working hearths and dumps of slag.
The site, as it stands, is probably the result of a lengthy period of development even the enclosure wall may have been built in two stages for there are clear changes in building style.
Managed by Cadw.
Directions
Take road signposted Din Lligwy from roundabout on A5025 south-west of Moelfre. After passing a Neolithic tomb, the road widens and theres room to park here (about 1km from A5025). Follow footpath past Capel Lligwy.
your comments
Cheryl Marney, Manchester
Absolutely fantastic! You can actually envisage the history and the movement of this settlement. It's like a great little secret protected by its landscape of woodland. The Llygwy Burial Chamber is a short walk from this site, less than 1/2 mile. It has got wow factor!
Thu Jul 23 15:10:37 2009
Peter & Rona, Darlington
We visited the site in July 2008 - well worth visiting for the stunning views and peaceful setting. The burial chamber nearby is fascinating and gives a real sense of the history of this land.
Tue Aug 26 10:39:28 2008
Lionel Joynson Ynys Mon
The island has always been prone to attacks from the sea and the settlement at Din Llygwy provide good seaward views of approaching invaders while being quite hidden themselves. In the event of discovery, with the thickness of the surrounding walls, I would think it could have been easily defended, and as to the height of the remaining walls, it must have proved rather successful. I have often wondered as smelting took place there, if this was the place where Parys mountain copper was smelted by pre Roman people, we know copper has been mined for up to 4000 years, yet to date no bronze age smelters have been discovered in the vicinity of the mountain itself.
Mon Aug 4 09:31:21 2008
Steve Parish, Northampton
Why - I wonder has no one linked this megalithic site to the DRUIDS? The buildings are obviously a training centre for a priesthood and the island was thier spiritual home? Show me a comparative site?
Tue May 6 10:45:00 2008
steve parish northampton
the stunning druidic site has made such a profound impression upon me that i am in the process of building my own celtic tribute site. at wells next the sea in norfolk
Tue May 6 09:35:57 2008
Steve Parish
To me it is obviously a druidic site. Perhaps an oratory. Massive stonework, only the best for the gods! Megaliths, not any sort of ordinary dwelling. Druids needed many years of training, this is one of the important sites where learning was by rote.
Thu Feb 28 09:48:05 2008
Margaret Roth, California, USA
I used to attend the local school, many years ago. I would love the teacher taking us for "rambles". We would walk down Lligwy road and end up at this site, which was quite a distance. On the way, we would pick up leaves and such to take back to school. A report was required of our trek.
Mon Nov 20 10:10:58 2006
Derek Carr from Birmingham
I loved the site, and really want to get back there when I can. One of the things that really struck me was that the square "tower" with the thick walls was slightly offset from the surrounding wall, suggesting that the orientation of this square building was very important.
Thu Oct 5 12:23:41 2006
Gaenor Williams Devon
I was born near this site, and I have very fond memories of playing house here. My sister once told her son that her pet dinosaur was buried under the cromlech near the road. On a visit to the site with his primary school class he told his teacher that the cromlech marked the site of his mother's pet. Imagine his embarrassment now that he is 22 and is an engineer working in North Wales, especially on Anglesey.
Tue Sep 5 09:10:17 2006
Andrea from Macclesfield
I have visisted this site on several occasions and it has never failed to impress. On reaching the settlement through the dense trees you are amazed by how open and bright the site it. It has a calmness about it which leaves everyone wanting to explore in silence. The earth feels hollow beneath your feet perhaps a sign of more history buried below. Its a treat to just sit and listen and take in the atmosphere. Well worth a visit!
Wed Aug 9 10:11:58 2006
A Cummins from Warrington
this site has a peacefulness about it that feels unreal, but pleasant. It's a fascinating spot, both the church and the site being a beautiful reminder of the days of our forefathers. Well worth a visit if 'old' interests you.
Tue Jul 18 09:56:23 2006
David Marshall, Penmachno
Went to Din Llugwy via the coastal path from Moelfre. The remains of the buildings and wall are impressive. I was puzzled by the two metre thick walls with very big stones to enclose small spaces. Why expend so much effort for no apparent advantage? I enjoyed sitting within the remains of a building and looking through its door as the inhabitants must have done.
Fri May 5 14:31:19 2006
Julie Osborne from Stoke-on-Trent
This is a very interesting site. I have been coming to Anglesey since I was 5 and I never tire of visiting it. In the summer the church is a fantastic place to have a picnic. Every time I go to this site I find something new to look at. It is well worth a visit, even if you just look at the fantastic views you can see.
Fri May 5 11:40:35 2006
David Hazeldine from Warrington
This a fascinating site. It is well preserved and safely set back from a minor road leading down to Lligwy Bay so it is relatively unspoilt. There is awoodland surrounding the site which is likely to contain addtional archaeological sites but these are obscured by dense undergrowth. Not far from the site is a burial chamger dating back 3,500 years so there is a depth of settlement history. Views across Lligwy Bay are stunning. Well worth a visit.
Thu Mar 16 23:40:44 2006
