Aberdovey, Gwynedd, Wales

Carn March Arthur

Carn March Arthur

Three miles northeast of Aberdovey is a stone called Carn March Arthur (pictured above), which translates as the “Hoof of Arthur’s Horse”. It was named so because this is where he is said to have made the jump across the Dovey Estuary. The mark on the stone is said to be from a hoof of the great steed.

The Ghost Bells

The tale originated from the time when Seithenin the Drunkard was Lord High Commissioner to Gwyddno Garanheir (the Lord of Ceredigion). Seithenin was entrusted to preserve the sea walls and dykes that protected the land from the sea.

 

However, he had already earned the name of the “Drunkard”, and it was on one such evening that he was feasting and drinking that a great storm caused the sea to swell and breach the walls he was meant to protect. The sea flooded the rich and fertile land, and swept aside any buildings that stood in its path. The city was lost forever. Only a small handful of men escaped, including the King’s Bard, Taliesin. His songs now tell the stories of the lost cities. The bells of the city are said to be heard on “still evenings”.

 

For further information, please read Haunted Wales by Peter Underwood.

Llyn Barfog

Llyn Barfog translates as the Bearded Lake, and it is here that you will find the Echo Stone. It is said that if you shout across the lake from this stone you will awaken the echo – a monster that once lived in the waters. Fairies and other supernatural creatures were also once said to inhabit the shores of Llyn Barfog. It was here that a farmer once captured a fairy cow, and he became famous as a result – the produce of milk, butter and flesh from such an animal was said to be delicious. However, when it was taken to slaughter the cow and its offspring where rescued by the Fairy Queen. The cow and her offspring ran into Llyn Barfog, never to be trusting of humans again.

 

For further information, please read Haunted Wales by Peter Underwood.

Location

Visitor Information

Aberdyfi (English: Mouth of the River Dyfi), or Aberdovey (the Anglicised spelling is in common use) is a village and community on the north side of the estuary of the River Dyfi in Gwynedd, on the west coast of Wales.

Pictured is Carn March Arthur courtesy of Ian Medcalf. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.