Cefn Bryn

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Cefn Bryn (English: Ridge Hill) is a 5 mile long Old Red Sandstone ridge in the heart of the Gower Peninsula in Wales. Local people colloquially refer to it as the "backbone of Gower". The highest point on the ridge (186m) is the second highest point in Gower, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Gower countryside.

Along the ridge of the hill, banked by grassy common on both sides is the road from Cilibon to Reynoldston. The road was previously known as the Old Coal Road and Red Road. Wandering sheep, wild ponies and cows can be seen along the road. Large swells and dips can be encountered along the route, formed by swallets and sink-holes in the limestone. The highest point of the road intersects with the ridge summit.

Just north of the ridge summit, there is a neolithic burial ground, known as "Arthur's Stone". Its name comes from a legend that King Arthur threw a large stone from Llanelli which landed on this spot.

It is believed that during the Bronze Age, Cefn Bryn was used extensively for ceremonies and rituals. Beneath the bracken on the hill, over sixty cairns have been discovered. Most of these mounds are likely to be nothing more than a collections of stone cleared by local farmers. However, just north west of Arthur's Stone, three prominent cairns were excavated proving their role in ancient history, with the largest being Great Cairn, a circular heap of stones above a central grave. grave.

There is a small freshwater pool called Broad Pool at the foot of the eastern approach to the ridge. This pool is known to have existed since 1645 and has dried out and been re-excavated twice. Today it is a protected nature reserve.

[edit] External links

• Explore Gower: Cefn Bryn
• The Gower Information Center: Broad Pool