Scheduled MonumentsWalesMedieval Hermitage Site on Burry Holms
Early Medieval · Hermitage

Medieval Hermitage Site on Burry Holms

Wales
Cadw SAM GM473
Period
Early Medieval
Site type
Hermitage
Broad class
Religious, Ritual and Funerary
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Burry Holms is a tidal island located off the Gower Peninsula in Swansea, Wales, and contains evidence of early medieval religious occupation. The hermitage site, designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM GM473), comprises structural remains and archaeological deposits associated with monastic or eremitic activity, likely dating to the Early Medieval period. The island's isolated position made it a suitable location for religious practitioners seeking solitude and separation from secular society, a characteristic feature of early medieval hermitages in Wales and the wider British Isles. The site's archaeological significance lies in its potential to illuminate patterns of early medieval Christian settlement and the relationship between monastic communities and their natural, coastal environments.

Medieval Hermitage Site on Burry Holms is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM473. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Medieval Hermitage Site on Burry Holms?

Burry Holms is a tidal island located off the Gower Peninsula in Swansea, Wales, and contains evidence of early medieval religious occupation. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM473.

What period does Medieval Hermitage Site on Burry Holms date from?

Medieval Hermitage Site on Burry Holms dates from the early medieval period, and is classified as a hermitage. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Medieval Hermitage Site on Burry Holms?

Medieval Hermitage Site on Burry Holms 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 GM473.

What other scheduled monuments are near Medieval Hermitage Site on Burry Holms?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Remains of Medieval Building & Church at Rhossili (4.5 km), Old Castle Camp (4.6 km), Promontory Fort on Worms Head (5.1 km).

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