View source for Cefn Bryn

{{Short description|Ridge in Swansea, Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2025}}
[[File:Cefn Bryn - geograph.org.uk - 301407.jpg|thumb|right|Summit of Cefn Bryn]]
{{Gower Peninsula|sidebar=yes}}
'''Cefn Bryn''' is an ancient ridge in [[Great Britain|Britain]]. It is a 5-mile-long [[Old Red Sandstone]] [[ridge]] in south [[Wales]], in the heart of the [[Gower Peninsula]], in the City and County of [[Swansea]].  Local people colloquially refer to it as the "backbone of Gower", as it protrudes from surrounding [[limestone]]. The highest point on the ridge (188m/617&nbsp;ft [http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=Y&rf=4597]) is the second highest point in the peninsula, offering panoramic views of the surrounding country and seas.  The swathes of grassland around the ridge are known as ''Cefn Bryn Common''.

Along the ridge of the hill, banked by grassy common on both sides is the road from Cilibion to [[Reynoldston]].  The road was previously known as the Old Coal Road and Red Road.  Wandering sheep, wild ponies and cows can be seen along the road.  Large swells and dips can be encountered along the route, formed by [[swallets]] and [[sinkhole]]s in the surrounding [[limestone]].  The highest point of the road intersects with the ridge summit.

==Arthur's Stone==

{{Other uses|Arthur's Stone (disambiguation){{!}}Arthur's Stone}}
[[File:Arthur's stone, near Swansea.jpeg|thumb|left|Arthur's stone, near Swansea as depicted c. 1840]]
[[File:Arthur's Stone - geograph.org.uk - 479360.jpg|thumb|right|Arthur's Stone]]
Just north of the ridge summit of Cefn Bryn, there is a [[Neolithic]] burial ground, known as "Arthur's Stone" ({{Langx|cy|Maen Ceti}}). Its name comes from a legend that the ancient British [[King Arthur]] threw a large stone from [[Llanelli]] which landed on this spot.

It is believed that during the [[Bronze Age]] Cefn Bryn was used extensively for ceremonies and rituals.  Beneath the bracken on the hill over sixty [[cairn]]s have been discovered.  Most of these are likely to be no  more than collections of stones cleared by local farmers; but just north-west of Arthur's Stone three prominent cairns have been excavated that prove their ancient role - the largest being Great Cairn, a circular heap of stones above a central grave.

==Broad Pool==
[[File:Cilibion, Broad Pool - geograph.org.uk - 185204.jpg|thumb|right|Broad Pool]]
There is a small [[fresh water]] pool called Broad Pool at the foot of the eastern approach to the ridge.  This pool is known to have existed since 1645, and has dried out and been re-excavated twice.  Today it is a protected nature reserve.  It lies in a shallow basin on the limestone plateau beneath Cefn Bryn, and consists of an [[acidic]] [[pond]], [[Heath (habitat)|heath]] and [[bog]], which is important for [[aquatic plant]]s, [[amphibian]]s, [[dragonflies]] (including [[Southern Damselfly]]) and [[wetland]] [[bird]]s.<ref>[http://www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/protecting-our-landscape/special-landscapes--sites/protected-landscapes-and-sites/sssis/sssi-sites/idoc.ashx?docid=42fc5bff-f388-4dc3-b3ac-646cf8323e6c&version=-1 Cefn Bryn factsheet from CCW]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927020152/http://www.explore-gower.co.uk/Content/pa=showpage/pid=29.html Explore Gower: Cefn Bryn]
*[http://www.swansea-gower.co.uk/placestovisit/broadpool.htm The Gower Information Center: Broad Pool]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20010629052739/http://www.glamorganwalks.com/local_features_west.htm Local Features West: Gower Walks]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070730140008/http://www.enjoygower.com/gower_reserves/broadpool.html Broad Pool and Bog]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081124224845/http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/gsl/education/page2557.html Geological Society - Cefn Bryn]

{{coord|51|34|48|N|4|08|25|W|display=title}}

{{Gower Peninsula}}
{{European megaliths}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 4th millennium BC]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Swansea]]
[[Category:Bronze Age Wales]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Swansea]]
[[Category:Geology of Wales]]
[[Category:Megalithic monuments in Wales]]
[[Category:Prehistoric sites in Swansea]]
[[Category:Gower Peninsula]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of Swansea]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in West Glamorgan]]
[[Category:Stone Age Britain]]
[[Category:Stone Age sites in Wales]]
[[Category:Ridges of Wales]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Swansea]]