Luke Hudson (Member no: 364)

Gwal y Filliast / St.Lythans Burial Chamber

It is believed that the megalithic structure is around six thousand years old, and was a burial chamber for the ancient people that farmed the lands around the site

A short walk from Dyffryn Springs leads to the neolithic site of Gwal y Filliast, or it’s anglicised name St.Lythans Burial Chamber. The megaliths stand at the centre of a field, accompanied only by a ring of gnarled Oak trees (lovely to sit amongst and drink a flask of something) and on some days a herd of cows. 

The structure that remains is a tomb made up of 4 large stones, and is surrounded by myth and legend.
It is believed that the megalithic structure is around six thousand years old, and was a burial chamber for the ancient people that farmed the lands around the site. Protected by a vast mound of earth, it faced East so that those buried within could be warmed by the reviving force of the rising sun. Only the stone skeleton of the tomb survives today.

The tomb’s name in Cymraeg is Gwal y Filliast (which translates to Kennel of the Greyhound Bitch). This is believed to be a reference to the Arthurian tale of Cullwch and Olwen, in which King Arthur leads a hunting party with dogs on an epic chase across Wales in pursuit of a monstrous wild boar. 
It is said that wishes whispered into the tomb on Halloween will be granted. The field in which the burial chamber sits is known as ‘The Accursed Field’ and that on Midsummer’s Eve the capstone spins three times and the stones go to the river to wash.