Nevern, near Crymych, Pembrokeshire SA41 3TZ
Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber
Prehistoric
Place photograph
7.8
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.8A vast Neolithic capstone, apparently balanced on three uprights, has remained in place for more than 5,000 years. The outline of the chamber frames the Preseli Hills, source of the bluestones used at Pentre Ifan and Stonehenge.
Pentre Ifan makes its impact through one extraordinary physical detail: a five-metre capstone that seems to balance impossibly above the chamber. Set against the Preseli Hills, it brings a deep-time story into sharp view without needing a grand complex around it.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapNevern, near Crymych, Pembrokeshire SA41 3TZ
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The experience
Allow time to look closely at the chamber’s three supporting uprights and the enormous capstone above them, then notice how the monument’s outline frames the Preseli Hills. Cadw describes the exposed remains as the bare bones of a tomb once covered by an earthen mound.
Things to do
Study the balancing capstone
Look closely at the giant capstone and the three uprights supporting it. Cadw gives its height as 16½ feet (5 metres) and says it has remained in place for more than 5,000 years.
Allow time to look around the monument
Frame the Preseli Hills
Notice how the outline of the chamber frames the Preseli Hills, identified by Cadw as the source of the bluestones used at Pentre Ifan and Stonehenge.
Walk in Pentre Ifan Wood
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park describes a 2.1-mile (3.4 km) walk taking about one hour. It is reasonably level, wooded and muddy in places; look out for conifer felling intended to allow broadleaved woodland to regenerate.
1 hour
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick Escape: the capstone and the Preseli view
- 01
Visit during Cadw’s listed opening hours.
- 02
Take in the chamber and its three supporting uprights.
- 03
Look through the monument’s outline towards the Preseli Hills.
Half day · About 2–3 hours
Half day: tomb and woodland walk
- 01
Visit Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber during its listed opening hours.
- 02
Allow time to examine the capstone, uprights and Preseli Hills backdrop.
- 03
Add the Pentre Ifan Wood walk: the National Park describes a 2.1-mile (3.4 km), one-hour route through reasonably level woodland that can be muddy in places.
Verified history
Cadw describes Pentre Ifan as a Neolithic chambered tomb. The remains visible today are the exposed chamber of a monument originally covered by an earthen mound. Its 16½-foot (5-metre) capstone rests on three uprights and has remained in place for more than 5,000 years. Cadw also identifies the Preseli Hills as the source of the bluestones used at Pentre Ifan and Stonehenge.
Hidden details
The missing mound — The exposed chamber is only the surviving visible part of a tomb that was originally covered by an earthen mound.
A window onto the Preseli Hills — Cadw notes that the chamber’s outline neatly frames the Preseli Hills, whose bluestones were used at Pentre Ifan and Stonehenge.
When to go
· No specific time of day is supported by the supplied evidence.
No seasonal highlight is specified in the supplied sources.
The monument is regularly exposed to the elements. Cadw warns that the ground may be slippery or muddy and recommends considering suitable footwear.
Worth pairing with
Pentre Ifan Wood walk
A nearby woodland walk described by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: 2.1 miles (3.4 km), about one hour, reasonably level and muddy in places.
What to look for
- 01
Look at the five-metre capstone resting on three uprights
- 02
imagine the earthen mound that once covered the chamber
- 03
then view the Preseli Hills through the monument’s outline.
The story
Prehistoric archaeology; Neolithic burial monument
Best time to go
No specific season is identified by the supplied evidence. The site is exposed to natural elements and can be slippery or muddy underfoot.
No best time of day or seasonal peak is established by the supplied evidence. Visit only during the listed opening hours and check current arrangements before setting out.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-4pm
- Tuesday: 10am-4pm
- Wednesday: 10am-4pm
- Thursday: 10am-4pm
- Friday: 10am-4pm
- Saturday: 10am-4pm
- Sunday: 10am-4pm
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Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Cadw lists visitor opening hours of 10am–4pm. The site is exposed to the elements and the approach may be slippery or muddy; check current information before visiting.
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Parking
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
Cadw classifies the terrain as Level 3 — Moderate. The supplied source row says the wheelchair-accessible entrance is false. Check current access information before visiting.
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Cost
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Around Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
