United Kingdom

Llangorse Lake

Artificial island (crannog) and lake in Brecon Beacons, Wales

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

Llangorse Lake, or Llangors Lake (Welsh: Llyn Syfaddon, variant: Llyn Syfaddan), is the largest natural lake in Mid and South Wales, and is situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park, near the town of Brecon and the village of Llangors. The lake is famous for its coarse fishing (particularly pike), watersports, the afanc (a monster nicknamed 'Gorsey') and has the only example of a crannog in Wales. Llangorse Lake is also one of the most mentioned sites in Welsh folklore. It is a site of international conservation importance. Due to the lake's long history of human activity, it has been known by several different names during its history, both in the Welsh language and in English: other names include the lake's original Welsh name, Llyn Syfaddon/Syfaddan, and Brycheiniog Mere. The name Llangorse Lake is comparatively recent.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Reliquary artefact date

8th–9th century

Dugout boat dating

9th century

Æthelflæd raid on the fort

916

Dugout boat discovery

1925

Crannog excavations

1989–1993

Time Team feature

1994

Pike skull found

2004

Erosion protection works

2005

Water vole reintroduction

May 2011

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Defensive Structures

Fortresses
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Houses
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Artificial Islands
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore

Plan Your Visit

Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information

Reference

Details

Country

United Kingdom

Coordinates

51.93° N, -3.26° E