Ysbyty Cynfyn

Ordnance Survey map reference: SN 752791.

Landranger map number: 135.

Latitude: 52.24 degrees.

Longitude: -3.5 degrees.

Architecture: Possible circle henge..

Length of the major axis: ? metres.

Length of the minor axis: ? metres.

Height of the highest stone: 3.3 metres.

Shape: ?.

Number of stones in the circle originally: ?.

Number of stones in the circle now: 4.

Impression of the site (10 amazing, 1 limp): 1

Burl rating of the circle: 4 (Destroyed and unrecognisable).

Thom reference for the circle: -.

Astronomical alignments from this circle: -.

Excavations undertaken at this circle: None.

Details of any finds at this circle: None.

This circle is not in state care.

Access to the circle:

Surrounding the church yard of Ysbyty Cynfyn are the supposed remains of a circle henge and it's remaining stones, the tallest of which, and probably only original stone, can be found in the north wall of the church yard to the very far right of the path and about 20m away from the entrance gate. The stone stands 3.3m (11ft) high and is built into the wall. In summer it is difficult to spot from the path as it is partially concealed by a tall tree. From the churchyard side of the wall the stone appears much smaller as the ground level in the churchyard is higher than that of a lane that passes on the opposite side of the wall. It is from this lane that the stones true height can be appreciated.

Next to the entrance of the churchyard about 2m to the right of the gate, and also built into the wall, is another stone. This is much smaller in height and it's base can clearly be seen above that of the walls foundations making it a later and suspicious addition to the site. The gate posts themselves make up two more stones, the tallest of which stands at 1.62m high.

There is no record of a stone circle at this site in 1755 or 1796 but Malkin writing about the church in 1804 mentions a tall upright stone, three years later he comments in a later edition of his writings of a large druid temple with many of the stones remaining. A possible explanation for this according to Burl is that the stones where added during restoration of the site in the early nineteenth century to give effect and enhance the churchyard with a possible view to enticing tourists.

Whatever the explanations regarding the origins of the site it is most definitely not one of the better circles in Wales to visit and it is only the fact that it is situated so close to a road and with easy access that it makes it worth the effort at all.