Scheduled MonumentsWalesBurry Holms Camp
Prehistoric · Promontory Fort - coastal

Burry Holms Camp

Wales
Cadw SAM GM088
Period
Prehistoric
Site type
Promontory Fort - coastal
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Burry Holms Camp is a prehistoric promontory fort situated on the Gower Peninsula in Swansea, Wales. The site occupies a rocky headland jutting into the Bristol Channel and is defended by a substantial rampart and ditch system that cuts across the neck of the promontory, creating a naturally fortified position. Dating to the Iron Age, the fort demonstrates the defensive strategies employed by Iron Age communities in South Wales, exploiting geographical advantage to create a stronghold with restricted access. The site's coastal location would have afforded control over maritime routes and resources, though limited archaeological investigation has constrained detailed understanding of its occupation history and chronology.

Burry Holms Camp is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM088. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Burry Holms Camp?

Burry Holms Camp is a prehistoric promontory fort situated on the Gower Peninsula in Swansea, Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM088.

What period does Burry Holms Camp date from?

Burry Holms Camp dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a promontory fort - coastal. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Burry Holms Camp?

Burry Holms Camp is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is GM088.

What other scheduled monuments are near Burry Holms Camp?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Remains of Medieval Building & Church at Rhossili (4.6 km), Old Castle Camp (4.7 km), Promontory Fort on Worms Head (5 km).

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