Pentre Ifan Tomb
Neolithic burial dolmen and iconic megalithic site
Pentre Ifan, a Neolithic dolmen in Wales, features a massive capstone atop upright stones over a burial chamber; visitors come for megalithic architecture and surrounding countryside walks.
Pentre Ifan at a Glance#
Address: Pentre Ifan, Nevern, Pembrokeshire (near Cardigan Bay), Wales, United Kingdom
Hours: Open access (outdoor monument) - always accessible
About Pentre Ifan#
Pentre Ifan is a Neolithic dolmen in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, dating to around 3500-3200 BCE and recognised as one of the best-preserved megalithic tombs in Britain. The monument consists of a large capstone supported by upright stones above a burial chamber.
Visitors come to see the striking capstone and simple megalithic architecture; the capstone measures about 5.1 meters across and appears to balance dramatically on a group of upright stones. The site is compact and easy to visit on foot, making it a popular stop on local archaeological and scenic routes.
The setting on gently rolling farmland offers clear views around the monument and a sense of scale for the surrounding Neolithic landscape. Interpretation signs at the site provide context for its probable funerary and ceremonial use.
The dolmen was constructed in the Late Neolithic as part of communal burial and ritual practices. It has survived largely intact through centuries of agricultural use and became a protected antiquity in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Pentre Ifan stands in Pembrokeshire in southwest Wales, within open countryside near the Preseli Hills and accessible from local roads serving small nearby villages.
- Capstone size: The capstone measures roughly 5.1 meters across and is estimated to weigh about 16 tonnes, balanced on supporting uprights in a classic portal-tomb arrangement.
How to Get to Pentre Ifan#
Pentre Ifan is in Pembrokeshire near Nevern, west Wales. Drive via the A487 coast road and follow local signage; there is a small car park and a short walk to the monument. Public transport options are limited; a car is the most practical way to reach the site.
Tips for Visiting Pentre Ifan#
- Visit at golden hour for quiet light on the capstone and the long shadow the dolmen casts.
- Explore the immediate landscape - the long barrow fragments around Pentre Ifan tell the fuller story of Neolithic funerary practice.
- Respect the site: it is ancient and exposed; climbing on the capstone is discouraged by caretakers to prevent damage.
Best Time to Visit Pentre Ifan#
Outdoor site accessible year-round; late spring to early autumn offers the most pleasant weather.
Weather & Climate near Pentre Ifan#
Pentre Ifan's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 3°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1142 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 7° | 1° | 118 mm | overcast | 88% | 7.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 3° - 7° | 1° | 86 mm | overcast | 88% | 7.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.8h |
| March | Poor | 4° - 9° | 2° | 92 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 5.6 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 7° - 13° | 10° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 5.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 76 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 4.9 m/s | 1.5 very high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 72 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.8 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.9h |
| August | Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 92 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 11° - 16° | 13° | 96 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 9° - 13° | 11° | 123 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Poor | 6° - 10° | 4° | 128 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 4° - 8° | 2° | 122 mm | overcast | 88% | 7.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
