Caer Drewyn (SJ088444) is located on the western spur of the ridge which runs between Llangollen and Corwen.

It is not situated on the highest part of the ridge but rather on a slope which overlooks land around the meeting place of the rivers Dee and Alwen.

Phases

Evidence suggests that the first fort was a small enclosure built against the natural scarp. Only part of this early enclosure is visible as a grass covered bank. The later, larger hillfort is clearly visible due to its stone ramparts, rather than having earthen ramparts like the other five hillforts within the project area.

Features

The stone ramparts enclose an area of three hectares. There are two inturned entrances, one of which, at the highest point within the site in the north east corner, appears to have a possible guardchamber. The other to the west, contains foundations of rectangular buildings.

There is an external enclosure, or annex, which contains stone foundations of a possible hut platform.

Studies

Caer Drewyn is first mentioned by Edward Lhwyd. Writing in the late seventeenth century[i] he describes Caer Drewyn as ‘a place where they kept their cattle in war time' and is also described by Thomas Pennant[ii] whilst on his tour of Wales.

The site was first truly examined by Reverend Hugh Pritchard in 1887[iii]. He carried out some preliminary clearing of the dry-stone rampart to reveal a well constructed wall of between 5 and 7 metres thick. He noted that the faces on either side were well built and were stepped in construction.

 Willoughby Gardner also carried out investigations on the dry-stone wall in the 1920s[iv] and published sections and photographs of the wall construction but did not excavate. Like Pennant he mentions the circular depressions within the dry-stone wall and suggests that they are possible grouse butts.

In the History of Merionethshire, written by Bowen and Gresham in 1967, there are suggestions for a four phase development of the site[v].

As far as can be established there has been no excavation of Caer Drewyn in the past.

In 1993 and 1994 a study of lichen present on the hillfort walls took place. This work identified 60 species of lichen, some of which are locally rare.

In 2006 EAS (Engineering Archaeological Services) carried out a topographical survey of Caer Drewyn which identified 8 possible hut platforms within the main enclosure along with a possible phasing for the construction of the hillfort. Click  here  to download a copy of the Caer Drewyn report

[i] Edward Lhwyd Parochialia

[ii] T.Pennant Tours in Wales

[iii] Rev. Pritchard 1887 Archaeologica Cambrensis

[iv] W Gardner 1922 Archaeologica Cambrensis 108-125

[v] Bowen and Gresham 1967 History of Merioneth