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Ogof Pant-y-Wennol is a prehistoric cave situated in Wales, developed within Dinantian limestone bedrock of Mississippian age. The underlying geology comprises limestone with subordinate sandstone and argillaceous rocks, typical of the Carboniferous deposits that dominate much of the Welsh landscape. Cave formation in this geology occurs through the slow dissolution of soluble limestone by slightly acidic groundwater, creating the passages and chambers characteristic of karst landscapes. Such caves have attracted human occupation since earliest prehistory, offering shelter and protection in the landscape.
The site is protected by Cadw, the Welsh heritage conservation agency, under reference CN190, recognising its significance as a prehistoric settlement or occupation site. Caves and rock shelters were favoured locations for human activity throughout the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods, and often later, as they provided natural protection from the elements. The archaeological potential of such sites derives from the accumulation of occupation layers, artefacts and organic remains preserved within the cave sediments.
The specific conditions within Ogof Pant-y-Wennol—its size, orientation, dryness and accessibility—would have determined its suitability for human use and the types of activity conducted there. Understanding such cave sites contributes significantly to knowledge of prehistoric settlement patterns and resource use in Wales.
Ogof Pant-y-Wennol is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CN190. View the official record →
Ogof Pant-y-Wennol is a prehistoric cave situated in Wales, developed within Dinantian limestone bedrock of Mississippian age. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CN190.
Ogof Pant-y-Wennol dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a cave. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Ogof Pant-y-Wennol 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 CN190.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Castell Conwy (4.8 km), Conwy Town Walls (4.9 km), Site of Medieval King's Hall and Wardrobe, Rosehill Street (4.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Ogof Pant-y-Wennol'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.
Ogof Pant-y-Wennol stands on Dinantian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Mississippian. The rock here is limestone with subordinate sandstone and argillaceous rocks.