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Crug Hywel Camp is a prehistoric hillfort located in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference BR128. The site occupies bedrock of Lower Devonian age, comprising sandstone and conglomerate interbedded together, which formed during the Early Devonian period. This varied geology of harder and softer stone layers would have influenced both the natural contours the fort builders chose and the practical challenges of constructing defences into the underlying rock.
Hillforts of this type typically date from the Iron Age, though some may have originated in the Late Bronze Age. They served as defended settlements, stock enclosures and centres of territorial control. The choice of this particular location reflects the strategic considerations of prehistoric communities: the elevated position afforded views across surrounding land whilst the substantial bedrock provided a defensible foundation for ramparts and ditches.
The monument survives as earthworks visible in the modern landscape. Its preservation under Cadw's guardianship ensures this archaeological record of Iron Age settlement and social organisation remains protected for future study and public access. The site contributes to our understanding of how prehistoric Welsh communities adapted to their local geology and environment whilst building the defensive structures necessary for their society.
Crug Hywel Camp is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference BR128. View the official record →
Crug Hywel Camp is a prehistoric hillfort located in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference BR128.
Crug Hywel Camp dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a hillfort. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Crug Hywel 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 BR128.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Clydach Ironworks (remains) and Smart's Bridge (7.4 km), Clydach Railroad Section near Brynmawr (8.7 km), Clydach Coal Level (8.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Crug Hywel Camp's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Crug Hywel Camp stands on Lower Devonian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is sandstone and conglomerate, interbedded.