Prehistoric · Hillfort

Gaer Fawr

Breconshire, Wales
Cadw SAM BR052
Period
Prehistoric
Site type
Hillfort
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Gaer Fawr is a prehistoric hillfort located in Breconshire, Wales, situated on high ground in a strategically commanding position typical of Iron Age defensive settlements. The monument comprises substantial earthwork defences including a rampart and ditch system that would have enclosed the hilltop settlement. Dating to the Iron Age, Gaer Fawr represents one of the significant fortified settlements in the Brecon Beacons region, reflecting the settlement patterns and territorial organisation of late prehistoric Wales. The site remains visible today as earthwork remains, forming an important archaeological resource for understanding Iron Age settlement and defence in the upland areas of South Wales.

Gaer Fawr is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference BR052. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Gaer Fawr?

Gaer Fawr is a prehistoric hillfort located in Breconshire, Wales, situated on high ground in a strategically commanding position typical of Iron Age defensive settlements. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference BR052.

What period does Gaer Fawr date from?

Gaer Fawr dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a hillfort. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Gaer Fawr?

Gaer Fawr 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 BR052.

What other scheduled monuments are near Gaer Fawr?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Fennifach Standing Stone (7.8 km), Caer Rufeinig y Gaer (8.5 km), Coed Fenni-Fach Camp (8.6 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Gaer Fawr