Opening the creaking gate onto the area where the chambers are located, the soft grass underfoot is quickly replaced by a floor of stones and pebbles which look remarkably like a stony beach.

Tiptoeing over stones

Hopping from stone to stone, you’ll soon be met by the stones of Dyffryn Ardudwy Burial Chamber.

Standing for almost 6000 years on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, these old stones have been peacefully watching the times come and go.

It’s impossible not to feel awed by the place.

Built all that time ago with little tools other than the power of the human body, it’s hard to even imagine how they were constructed.

We don’t know about you, but just the thought of lifting up stones that big is enough to get us out of breath.

Big chamber, little chamber

You get two for one at Dyffryn Ardudwy Burial Chamber. The larger of the tombs was constructed several generations after the smaller one. We don’t know if that’s significant or not.

Maybe a very important person deserved an even bigger tomb, or maybe people living in the Neolithic period were very competitive and wanted to outdo their predecessors.

Nearby adventures

Cors y Gedol is nearby, a whole area where evidence of the Neolithic period can be found.

Everything from another burial chamber to the historic pattern of fields gives you a fascinating insight into the lives of people all that time ago.

And to not mention the setting would be a travesty. Even if history isn’t your thing, a walk around the area – over vast fields and high plateaus – is a great way to spend the day.

Benar Beach is also only a short drive away. We can’t think of a better way to finish off your trip than lying in the sun after a refreshing dip in the sea.

The mighty oak standing by

The burial chamber has been sheltered slightly from the Dyffryn Ardudwy weather by the branches of a large oak. The tree stands nearby, leaning over the chambers.

It’s more than likely the wind is the cause of the odd angle, but perhaps not.

Perhaps, when it was just a little sapling an urge overtook the tree to grow and protect the ancient remains. We’ll leave that conclusion up to you.