The Caer Drewyn Hillfort
QUICK INFO
Region: Denbighshire
Built: +/- 2500 years ago
In the care of: The Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Free Parking: No
Dogs allowed: Yes
Admission: N/A
Postcode: LL21 9HU
Open: 24 hours
Caer Drewyn showing northeast entrance, annex, and circular depressions in walls.
History
Caer Drewyn (locally known as Mynydd y Gaer) is thought to be around 2500 years old, being constructed in the Iron Age. It would appear that it was built as protection by the local people, who were farmers, as well as craftsmen, traders and warriors, as a secure place to live and work in. It was also possibly utilised for celebrations and trading markets.
The hillfort continued in use long after the Iron Age had finished, and - arguably - one of the most historic uses where Wales is concerned, was in 1400 when Owain Glyndwr raised his Standard on the hillfort, at the start of his war of independence against the English Crown. Interestingly, it is thought that the Standard he used at this time was the Black Dragon of Powys. Glyndwr did not start using the more well known Golden Lion until later, when he was at Caernarfon. Glyndwr used the hillfort owing to how high it was situated (800-985ft above sea level) as well as being on his ancestral lands.
What Can You See?
Caer Drewyn is situated in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley and designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is sited on the western spur of the ridge which runs between Llangollen and Corwen. Its stone ramparts covers an enclose an area of 3 hectares (30,000 square metres).
The first small fort that was built is only partially visible as a grass-covered bank. However, the later, much bigger hillfort can be traced by a dry stone wall. Interestingly Caer Drewyn doesn’t have earthen banks or ditches like other hillforts in the area.
There are two inturned entrances. One of them, at the highest point of the site in the north-east corner, appears to have a possible guard chamber. The other to the west contains foundations of rectangular buildings
Accessibility
This is a demanding climb for anyone with any degree of disability. Even the farmer's track is deeply rutted and stony. guess the steep route could be quite slippery when it's wet so take care and it's safer to wear suitable footwear.
Sources
‘Owain Glyndwr: The story of the last Prince of Wales’ by Terry Breverton (2013 edition)
The Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty websitehttps://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/projects/hillfort-caer-drewyn/
Ariel Photo of Caer Drewyn Peoples Collection Wales https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/5482
‘Based in Churton’ website https://basedinchurton.co.uk/
Further information
Caer Drewyn is off the B5437 north of Corwen (Grid Ref: SJ083441 - Explorer 256 or 255).
Closest parking is at the local leisure centre on the B5437 opposite the bridge over the River Dee on the road from Corwen (A5). The car park is shut on Sundays but there is a car park in Corwen (about 700m away).
The 3km/1.8 mile waymarked circular walk from the Leisure Centre car park is an ideal way to explore the hillfort.
The footpath follows a good track which winds below the western side of the hillfort. It then swings hard right, up the western flank, along the outside of the southern rampart and to the north-east gate.
Owain Glyndwr was thought to have used the Black Dragon of Powys as his standard in 1400.
Caer Drewyn showing northeast entrance, annex, and circular depressions in walls.
Artist impression of what Caer Drewyn could have looked like.
