Braich y Dinas

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Ringwork)

There are earthwork remains

NameBraich y Dinas
Alternative Names
Historic CountryCaernarfonshire
Modern AuthorityConwy
1974 AuthorityGwynedd
CommunityLlanfairfechan

A small hillfort on a rounded hillock with steep slopes on all sides except NE. There appears to have been a central enclosure of about 120' diameter with two additional rampants on the S and on the N. The walls were about 9' thick, of loose stones faced with upright slabs. The fort has been extensively robbed and the walls survive only to about 1' in height. There are traces of 14 huts, varying from 20'-30' in diameter. Most of them seem to be later than the rampants. The rampants were sectioned in 1925 and the central hut was partly excavated. No dating evidence was found. Terraced fields, more round huts, and a single long hut to the NE, outside the scheduled area. Dinas is a small hillfort which has been extensively robbed. It would appear to consist of a central enclosure some 40m in diameter with a central hut and three additional ramparts on the north and south sides. Traces of a further 13 huts, of 7-10m in diameter, lie within these additional ramparts. Partial excavation in the 1920's by Harold Hughes and Beazant Lowe revealed two quern fragments and fragments of a rubbing stone. (Coflein)

A small hillfort on a rounded hillock with steep slopes on all sides except NE. There appears to have been a central enclosure of about 120ft diameter with two additional ramparts on the S and on the N. The walls were about 9ft thick, of loose stones faced with upright slabs. The fort has been extensively robbed and the walls survive only to about 1ft in height. There are traces of 14 huts, varying from 20ft-30ft in diameter. Most of them seem to be later than the ramparts. The ramparts were sectioned in 1925 and the central hut was partly excavated. No dating evidence was found. The remains are nothing more than these of an enclosed hut group, rather unusually situated. (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust HER)

Gatehouse Comments

A small Iron Age hillfort in a strong natural position. Lewis writes "In this formidable post the remnant of the Welsh army is said to have been placed, as in a retreat of inviolable security, during the negotiations that were pending between Edward I. and Llewelyn, previously to the final submission of the principality to English authority." Not a medieval castle but Lewis account can not be dismissed and there is a possibility that some work was done to reinforce the prehistoric earthworks by Llewelyn's men.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSH700738
Latitude53.2454414367676
Longitude-3.94947004318237
Eastings270020
Northings373830
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • RCAHMW, 1956, A Survey and Inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Caernarvonshire Vol. 1: East (HMSO) p. 119 no. 391 online copy
  • Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales online copy

Journals

  • Hughes, H. and Lowe, W.B., 1925, 'Dinas, Llanfairfechan. Excavations by the Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and District Field Club' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 80 p. 342-364