Cwmffwrn Dig 2025

Aim: To excavate a house platform at Cwmffwrn Farm, Abbey Cwmhir, Powys to better understand its origins and history.

This summer the Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust will be continuing the excavation of an important settlement site within the home grange of the Cistercian abbey in the beautiful hills of north Radnorshire. Abbey Cwmhir is celebrated as the burial place of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the Last Prince of Wales, in 1282.

The house platform at Cwmffwrn offers a rare opportunity to investigate the origins of a long abandoned upland settlement, working with a small team of dedicated participants, led by professional archaeologists. 

The purpose of the excavation is to try to explain the origin and purpose of the settlement. Was it an upland farm on the monastic grange, or did it appear at a later date, when settlement spread on to the uplands in later centuries? 

This year’s excavation will build on the work of 2023 & 2024, which have already shown that there was activity at Cwmffwrn in the late 16th century or early 17th centuries. 

Can we push this date back further in 2025, and find evidence of medieval activity, which would link the settlement firmly with the monastic grange?

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 29th July 2025 at 4:53pm