Pen y Gaer

Pen y Gaer is an Iron Age hillfort in Conwy County Borough with remains of defensive structures still visible on its northern summit. The site features both an outer ditch and an inner rampart that run across the elevated terrain.

The fort was built in the Iron Age and shows signs of occupation spanning many centuries. Archaeological excavations between 1933 and 1937 uncovered pottery fragments and metal items that reveal how people used this place over time.

The fort shows building methods similar to others found across the Welsh Marches, reflecting population movements from the east. Walking through today, you can still sense how people shaped and defended this high ground.

The site is reachable from a car park connected by road to the village of Llanbedr-y-Cennin in the Conwy valley. Wear sturdy shoes and bring weather protection, as the hilltop terrain is open and can be windy.

Two separate Bronze Age cairns sit on the northwestern slope, alongside ancient field systems. These features show how people lived and farmed on this land long before the Iron Age fort was built.

Location: Conwy County Borough

Elevation above the sea: 385 m

GPS coordinates: 53.20600,-3.87300

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:08