Dolgellau Archaeology Weekend

July 18th and 19th, 10am til 4pm

Cricket Pavilion, The Marian, Dolgellau, LL40 1UU

A fun-packed weekend of free activities in and around Dolgellau including:

Guided walks around the town, to the local Hillforts as well as a visit to the Churchyard of St Mary’s all lead by expert archaeologists in their field, (bookings via email or phone, see below).
Owain Glyndŵr will be along all weekend in complete with his sword and one of his trusty men to give an exciting, authentic insight into the life of Glydŵr’s army.
Ancient Arts will be giving experimental archaeological demonstrations all weekend, showing aspects of everyday life and production from the Paleolithic to Medieval Wales.
Have a go at our Knowledge Treasure Hunt, and other fun quizzes. You could win a prize!
Ask the Archaeologist! Ask anything you would like to know about being an archaeologist and the discoveries that help us detect the people of the past.
Have a go at being an archaeological surveyor with resistivity survey demonstrations!
Pottery making; make prehistoric and historic pot replicas to take home
Handling the past with Bangor Museum, every wanted to touch a Bronze Age axe or prehistoric spear, well here is your chance.
Finding out about local heritage using the Historic Environment Record,
Information and displays from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, The Snowdonia National Park, Cadw and Gwynedd Archaeological Trust.
Bring your finds to record through the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Time tabled events

Coil pots workshops-10 am -12 pm daily
Finds handling-1 pm - 4 pm daily
Bring your own finds to record into the Portable Antiquities Scheme between 10 am-1pm daily
Hands-on, Experimental Archaeology and Re-enactment displays will be going on throughout the day.

Town Walks

10.30-12.30 pm Saturday: Guided walk around the town - discover the history of Dolgellau through its buildings. Walk guided by Head of Archaeology for Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, Andrew Davidson and Project Archaeologist Robert Evans.

2pm Saturday: Learn the hidden secrets of St Mary’s Church. Walk guided by Bangor University’s specialist archaeologists Aimee Pritchard and Karen Pollack.

10.30-12.30 pm Sunday: Guided walk around the town - discover the history of Dolgellau through its buildings. Walk guided by Welsh Inspector of Ancient Monuments Cadw, Judith Alfrey.

For all the above meet at the Cricket Pavilion, The Marion. Dolgellau

Contact: Adele W Thackray. Phone; 01248 352535; Email

Hilltop walk

2pm–5pm, Sunday 19 July. Iron Age Hillforts of the Mawddach Valley: Moel Offrwm Guided Walk

Precipice Walk car park, Llanfachreth.

A guided walk, with bilingual discussion, to two major Iron Age Hillforts on Moel Offrwm, important sites that have only recently become accessible as a result of the creation of Access Land by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. The two forts on Moel Offrwm are very different from each other in size and design, providing interesting ideas about the changing status and functions of Hillforts. Walk distance: 3 miles (4km). Difficulty: Difficult. Steep climb and rough ground. Special requirements: Walking boots. Wet weather clothing. Drinks and snacks.

Contact: George Smith.

Directions: The car park lies 1 mile (1.5km) south of Llanfacreth and can be reached from the A470 turn off east just south of Ganllwyd, or from the A494, turn off north at Dolgellau. SH 7455 2110 (OS Explorer map 18)

T: 01248 352535 / 07871172590

This fantastic weekend of events has been brought to you by: Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Gwynedd / Gwynedd Archaeological Trust (co-ordinators), Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri / Snowdonia National Park Authority, Amgueddfa ac Oriel Gwynedd/ Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, , Cadw, Royal Commission of Ancient and Historical Monuments Wales, Engineering Archaeological Services and Bangor University.

For further information or to book a place on the walks contact: Adele W Thackray. Phone; 01248 352535; Website