Pentre Ifan


Pentre Ifan Dolmen is impressive both for its size and its setting*
Pentre Ifan Dolmen is impressive both for its size and its setting

Pentre Ifan - the name means "John's Village", by the way - is the largest and most remarkable tomb of its type in Wales - at least, that's what the sign on the site claims. You might like to view the film on Barclodiad y Gawres on Anglesey before swallowing the claim entirely!

It certainly is in a dramatic setting, on the lower slopes of the Prescelly Mountains with wide, sweeping views looking out over Cardigan Bay. The enormous flat stone - 17' long and weighing 16 tons - perched precariously on three points of stone, is most impressive and it boggles the imagination to think how our Neolithic ancestors managed to hoist it into position without the aid of heavy lifting machinery.

And, of course, to wonder why they went to all that trouble!