Skip to main content

We use JavaScript to set most of our cookies. Unfortunately JavaScript is not running on your browser, so you cannot change your settings using this page. To control your cookie settings using this page try turning on JavaScript in your browser.

About cookies

We've saved some files called cookies on your device. These cookies are:

  • essential for the site to work
  • to help improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it

We would also like to save some cookies to help:

  • improve our website by measuring website usage
  • remember your settings
Change cookie settings

You've accepted all cookies for this website. You can change your cookie preferences at any time

St Lythans Chambered Tomb

Lonely Neolithic tomb with links to Arthurian legend

This bare and imposing Neolithic (New Stone Age) tomb stands alone in the centre a field on the outskirts of Cardiff. While it was originally covered by an earthen mound around 90ft/27m in length, only traces of this now remain, leaving its huge stones fully exposed to the skies. 

The largest is the massive capstone, still supported by three unusually tall uprights. Excavations in 2012 demonstrated that originally the chambered tomb was buried within a large cairn of stones 30m long and 12m wide.  The chamber itself has never been excavated, so who or what is buried here remains a mystery.

Despite its Neolithic origins, the site’s name may derive from the Arthurian legend of Culhwch and Olwen, which appears in two 14th-century texts.

Opening times & prices

Opening times

1st April - 31st March Open all year

Open all year — during reasonable daylight hours

Visitor information

Dogs welcome icon

Dogs welcome

Please be aware there may be livestock within the fields particularly during the spring and summer seasons.

Please keep all pets on leads and do not approach any animals on your journey.

Walking difficulty icon

Walking difficulty

Terrain: Level 3 — Moderate

Drone policy icon

Drone policy

Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance

No smoking icon

No smoking

Smoking is not permitted.

Health & Safety icon

Health & Safety

Care and attention must be paid when visiting this monument. It will be regularly exposed to the natural elements and may be slippery or muddy underfoot.

Appropriate footwear for the season and type of monument must be considered prior to your visit. Please only attend during the set opening hours, these have been chosen for your safety i.e. appropriate level of lighting.

Many of our monuments are located at areas of height, attention must also be paid therefore to the surrounding areas, ditches and moats when visiting.

Guardrails have been installed to prevent access to any areas of the site that we have deemed as dangerous or to prevent falls in specific areas. Please do not climb over or through any fixed installation.

Any handrail provided should be used to help you safely navigate historic steps, as these may be uneven and may be of different height.

As with all ancient monuments there is always a risk of stones being dislodged in bad weather, however, we manage this through extensive monitoring. 

Climbing may result in serious injury

There are several wild plants and flowers, although these are great pollinators, they may be poisonous to visitors and animals, we strongly advise you not to touch or allow dogs to eat any vegetation.

There may be shared access or neighbouring farmland that may involve the presence of grazing cattle or farm animals.

Please watch our health & safety film before visiting Cadw sites.

Iechyd a Diogelwch / Health and Safety

Please report any anti-social behaviour such as climbing, setting fires, graffiti etc. to CadwAccidentsReports@gov.wales

The following signs can be found around the site at key areas of risk, please pay attention where appropriate.

Slippery or uneven surfaces icon

Slippery or uneven surfaces

Directions

Google Map
Road: 1 1/2m (2.4km) S of St Nicholas, off A48, 6m (9.7km) SW of Cardiff
Rail: Waungron Park 41/2m (7.2km). For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.
Bike: NCN Route No.88 (4.1m/6.6km).

Grid Ref: ST101723. Lat/Lon: 514426, -3.2946

what3words: ///spans.beards.customers

No designated parking.

Unlimited access to Wales' past

Join Cadw for as little as £2.00 a month and gain unlimited access to over 100 historical sites.

Join Cadw today

Enjoy the many benefits of Cadw membership

  • 10% off Cadw gift shops
  • 50% off entry to English Heritage and Historic Scotland sites
  • FREE entry to English Heritage and Historic Scotland on renewal
  • FREE entry to Manx National Heritage properties
  • FREE membership pack including car sticker and full colour map