Name of monument

Maen Ceti 

Also known as

Arthur's Stone / Coetan Arthur 

Type of site

Dimensions (approx)

H:

W:

D:

LR Grid Reference

OS Map Number

LR 159

Nearest Village

Nearest Town

Swansea. Gower 

Property Type

Access

MRW Access rating

MRW Site Rating

Other information

Legends / stories attached to this monument. Inscriptions. See who has provided other information.

The larger of two stones which are said to be the remains of a Neolithic chambered tomb and commands exquisite views over the Gower peninsula. The huge boulder capstone weighs around 25 tons. Although it would seem that the tomb builders would have dug out and underpinned the mighty stone, the raising of the boulder onto its supports has appeared in ancient records as being one of ‘The three arduous undertakings accomplished in Britain’.

Finding the monument was relatively easy, from the B4271, we took a left turn as stated on the Land Ranger, across Cefn Bryn common. As the road climbs and bears right nearing the top there is a very stony lay by on the right. Park here and follow the path, the monument can be seen clearly as you set off. There are a number of legends attached to the monument.

The mighty boulder was said to have been a pebble from the giant Arthur’s shoe, which he threw here from Carmarthenshire. See the "Legends and Stories" link above

Legends / Stories

 When the moon is full it is believed Arthur’s ghost can be seen walking down to the sea, dressed in glowing armour. Sometimes on Midsummer’s eve and All Hallow’s eve, the stones themselves are said to go down to the sea to drink and bathe. At midnight when the moon was full, young girls used to come to Maen Ceti, to discover if their lovers were faithful. They would place honey cakes soaked in milk in on the smaller of the two stones, then crawl around the stones three times. If their lovers were in fact faithful, it is said they would then join them.

Inscriptions

Not an Inscribed stone or there are none available at this time

Some information provided by:

Unless otherwise stated, information has been provided by MRW