From an article about the nearby cairn, in the 1887 edition (v4). This picture can be found on the Welsh Journals Online website.
welshjournals.llgc.org.uk/browse/viewpage/llgc-id:2919943/llgc-id:3007332/llgc-id:3007376/get650
The Porch.
The Front Door, sadly now fenced off.
The Back Door. Bit of a squeeze, but big enough for a burglar.
It’s huge in there and you can stand upright in it for a very long way back.
There are two entrances to Cathole cave. This one’s barred. We wondered if it was in here they found archaeological remains or whether it was just too plain dangerous in there!
Picture taken from slightly below the level of the cave to get the whole of the fissure in shot.
Picture taken from the same level as the cave.
Entrance to the cave. From memory I think it extends about 20 feet back into the darkness.
From an article published on the BBC News web site on 29th June 2012:
A reindeer engraved on the wall of a cave in south Wales has been confirmed as the oldest known rock art in Britain.
The image in Cathole Cave on Gower, south Wales was created at least 14,000 years ago, said Bristol University.
Archaeologist Dr George Nash found the engraving while exploring a rear section of the cave in September 2010.
He said uranium dating showed it was the oldest rock art in the British Isles, if not north-western Europe.
Full article, with photo, at bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-18648683
Visited 11.10.13
This is an obvious ‘must see’ extension when visiting Parc-Le-Broes burial chamber.
Easily seen from the footpath and now has its own info board thanks to the Forestry Commission. The cave has a ‘keyhole’ shape and the entrance is large – no need for stooping here! You pass a smaller cave entrance on the way up the steps but this is also barred and locked.
I had forgotten just how good a site this is – despite the new metal railings.
Up the steps through the trees and into the cave entrance. Although the inner part of the cage is fenced off to protect it (there are also bats roosting) you can still get a great ‘feel’ for the place by sitting on one of the large stones in the entrance.
The information board states that the cave was occupied up to 28,000 years ago. I sat and tried to contemplate this. People sat just where I was; keeping warm next to a fire, looking out across the tundra. I imagined how perhaps the cave was utilised with items and people occupying their own little part of the cave, children playing within the safety of the ‘family home’. Perhaps I am putting an idealistic ‘21st century’ slant on things – but it’s a nice thought anyway! I am still trying to get my head around people, like you and me, occupying this cave so very long ago – wow!
The fact that this is also home to Briatains oldest cave art only adds to the ‘wow factor’.
Anyway, needless to say, I would heartily recommend to this special place if you ever get the chance.
Cat Hole Cave is just a short walk from Parc Le Breos (about 200 yards north) uphill into a wooded area. Access is no longer possible as the cave has now been closed to the public with bars in situ. A local person said this was because the bats were being disturbed by people going into the cave looking for the ‘reindeer rock art’.
In 1968 excavations recovered flint blades of the ‘Creswellian’ type which indicated this cave was the home to hunting parties towards the end of the Ice Age some 14,000 years ago.
As Jane states, about 100 metres further along the path past Parc Le Broes on the right hand side in the trees on the bank. It can be a little tricky to find but just look for the ‘path’ made by people through the undergrowth and you will soon see it – about half way up the valley side. Unfortunately when I visited I didn’t take a torch with me so I didn’t go too far into the cave. From what Jane ssasy it sounds like it goes backa fair bit. One to re-visit – with a torch!!
Just 200ms away from Parc le Breos hidden in the wooded cliffs on the right as you approach is this lovely cave which is certainly worth a shufti. It has two entrances, one closed up with railings. The larger entrance, of a tall triangular shape, leads to a huge interior. It goes back a long way into the rock and has a number of chambers within it. I was thrilled and delighted at how cosy and warm it was at the back of the cave away from the frosty winter morning. When it was excavated in the 1960s very ancient human remains were found.
