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Dorwen standing stone is a prehistoric standing stone located in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference BR333. The monument rises from bedrock of the Pennine Lower Coal Measures Formation and South Wales Lower Coal Measures Formation, Westphalian in age, comprising mudstone, siltstone, sandstone, coal, ironstone and ferricrete. This geological foundation reflects the coalfield landscape characteristic of south Wales during the Iron Age and earlier periods when the stone was erected.
Standing stones served various functions within prehistoric communities, likely marking territorial boundaries, acting as waymarkers along ancient routes, or serving ceremonial and burial purposes. Dorwen's position within this coalfield terrain suggests it was positioned as a significant landmark within its contemporary landscape, visible against the ridge and valley topography of the region.
The monument survives as evidence of prehistoric activity in Wales and demonstrates the enduring relationship between early communities and their natural surroundings. Its continued protection ensures that this standing stone remains available for study and public engagement with Wales's deep archaeological heritage.
Dorwen standing stone is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference BR333. View the official record →
Dorwen standing stone is a prehistoric standing stone located in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference BR333.
Dorwen standing stone dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a standing stone. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Dorwen standing stone 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 BR333.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Tramroad at Ystradgynlais (4.9 km), Canal Aqueduct over the River Twrch, Ystalyfera (5 km), Bryn Llechwen ring cairn (5.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Dorwen standing stone'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.
Dorwen standing stone stands on Pennine Lower Coal Measures Formation And South Wales Lower Coal Measures Formation (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Westphalian. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone, sandstone, coal, ironstone and ferricrete.