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Longhole Cave is a prehistoric cave situated in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference GM391. The cave has formed within Dinantian limestone and associated sedimentary rocks of Mississippian age, part of the extensive carboniferous karst landscape characteristic of South Wales. This geology—with its combination of limestone, sandstone and argillaceous strata—has created natural cavities that made the site attractive for human occupation during prehistoric times.
The cave's archaeological significance lies in its position within the broader pattern of cave use during the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods. The sheltered conditions provided by the limestone outcrop offered protection and access to resources in the surrounding landscape. Caves of this type commonly preserve evidence of early human activity, from stone tools to faunal remains, providing insight into how prehistoric communities exploited Wales's cave systems and the surrounding environment.
Today Longhole Cave remains an important archaeological resource and a tangible record of prehistoric settlement patterns in Wales. Its protection reflects recognition of both its historical value and its contribution to understanding human adaptation to the post-glacial landscape of Britain. The monument stands as evidence of the long history of human use of Wales's natural caves.
Longhole Cave is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM391. View the official record →
Longhole Cave is a prehistoric cave situated in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference GM391.
Longhole Cave dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a cave. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Longhole Cave 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 GM391.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Culver Hole Dovecot (1.5 km), Paviland Cave (1.6 km), Paviland Camp (1.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Longhole Cave'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.
Longhole Cave stands on Dinantian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Mississippian. The rock here is limestone with subordinate sandstone and argillaceous rocks.