Carreg Samson

Carreg Samson (also known as Carreg Sampson, Samson's Stone, or the Longhouse) is a 5000-year-old Neolithic dolmen located half a mile west of Abercastle near the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales -Mathry, Fishguard, Wales.

Carreg Samson has a capstone, 4.7 metres by 2.7 metres and 1.0 metre thick. The capstone rests on three of six stones 1.1 to 2.2 metres high.
The whole burial chamber was once covered by a mound of earth or stones and once these were removed stones were used to block the holes in the sides of the tomb so that it could be used as a shelter for sheep.
The site was excavated in 1968 which revealed four additional stone-holes, one having supported a further chamber stone, the others indicating a possible passage leading off to the northwest. Slight traces of a covering cairn were found to the south and it was shown that the monument had been raised over a pit 0.8 metres deep, filled with clay and stones. Finds included a small quantity of burnt bone, pottery, and flints.

In a dramatic clifftop location just outside the pretty port of Abercastle stands a Neolithic burial chamber known as Carreg Samson. The name translates as 'Samson's Stone' and refers to the legend that St Samson placed the huge capstone in place using just his little finger.
The setting is perhaps more beautiful than any other chambered tomb in Britain.
The dolmen is composed of seven upright stones topped by a huge capstone. The capstone is over 4.5m long (about 15 feet) and 2.7m wide (9 feet). The capstone is actually balanced perfectly on just 3 of the 7 support stones.
Excavations uncovered a pottery vessel holding the cremated ashes of several people. The bowl had been buried under a floor of yellow clay. The excavations also found evidence of post-holes for another four upright stones.
Some archaeologists have suggested that the dolmen is, in fact, all that remains of a passage tomb, though if so, nothing remains of the stones that would have formed a passage to the inner chamber.

Getting There

There are two ways to reach Carreg Samson. The first is by car to Longhouse farm, up a lane between Abercastle and Trefin. You will have to park along the lane and follow the signposted footpath to the east of the farm that will take you directly to the dolmen.

A much more enjoyable way to reach Carreg Samson is to park at Abercastle. There is free parking at the harbour. Take the Pembrokeshire Coast Path from the western side of the harbour. The path rises up the cliffs and crosses a small footbridge at Cwm Badau. At the top of the cliffs the path splits. The right-hand fork continues along the coast, while a footpath leads inland towards Longhouse.

Just follow the Longhouse path, signposted to Carreg Samson. You go through a pair of gates, and you will see the dolmen ahead of you in the farm field. From Abercastle to Carreg Samson is less than a mile and will take no more than 15 minutes. The location is simply stunning and the walk is exhilarating in good weather.

Carreg Samson is one of the most beautifully situated ancient sites in Britain. Though easy to reach on foot, it is far enough from vehicular access to exude a sense of antiquity and solitude.