Hafod-Fawr

The Hafod-fawr Roman camp lies in the uplands of Breconshire, on ground overlooking natural routes across the central Beacons. It is one of a chain of temporary marching camps established during the Flavian conquest of Wales (AD 74–78), when Sextus Julius Frontinus, governor of Britain, pushed Roman forces deep into the mountains to subdue the Silures. The camp is rectangular in form, with the classic playing-card shape typical of Roman temporary encampments, and visible traces of its ramparts and ditches still survive as low earthworks.

Its strategic position shows how the Roman army maintained control over movement through the Usk valley and into the Brecon gap, key corridors linking Carmarthen (Maridunum), Brecon (likely Cicucium), and Abergavenny (Gobannium). Hafod-fawr formed part of the inland line of advance later formalised into the Via Julia Montana (Margary Routes 62–64), which linked Carmarthen to Usk through Brecon.

Sites near Hafod-Fawr

• Waun Ddu Fortlet (Mynydd Myddfai) (1 km)
  Marching or Temporary Camp
• Y Pigwn (1 km)
  Fortlet, Industry, Marching or Temporary Camp, Milestone and Practice Work
• Arhosfa'r Garreg-lwyd (5 km)
  Marching or Temporary Camp
• Llandovery (Alabum) Roman Fort (6 km)
  Flavian Auxiliary Fort (AD 69–96)
• Pen Y Gaer, Llandingad (8 km)
  Possible Roman Camp
• Dolaucothi Roman Mine (17 km)
  Gold Mine
• Pumsaint Roman Fort (18 km)
  Flavian Auxiliary Fort (AD 69–96)
• Ystradfellte Marching Camp (19 km)
  Marching or Temporary Camp
• Brecon Vicus (Cicucium or Y Gaer) (19 km)
  Mansio and Vicus
• Brecon (Cicucium or Y Gaer) Roman Fort (19 km)
  Flavian Auxiliary Fort (AD 69–96), Industry and Practice Work