Bodvoc's Stone

Good 11mile yomp all in, worth it for the scenery on a gorgeous Easter b/hol walkies

More of a point to aim for than something to visit. The original stone is in the Margam Stones Museum a few miles away. Sadly there is nothing here to mark or draw attention to Bodvoc's Stone.The forest trails that lead to this point are however splendidly isolated; great for a long walk or cycle into the wilderness!

In situ replica of the original Bodvoc's Stone, which can be seen in Margam Stones Museum.Beautiful location, though the stone itself is rather unimpressive. It's a shame the replica seems to be made of concrete, which has weathered badly, so the inscription is barely legible.

Doctor Johnson, the dictionary writer, said of the Giant's Causeway that it was 'worth seeing, not worth going to see'. This stone is at a lower level of interest- hardly worth seeing even if you are there. The 'stone' at this location is a 20th century concrete replica of the original stone (which is on view in the Margam Stones museum and worth seeing), and a sad sight it is, weathered and covered with moss, looking for all the world like a water hydrant marker post. The original was erected in the 500s-600s CE and the inscription reads BODVOC-HIC IACIT / FILIVS CATOTIGIRNI /PRONEPVS ETERNALI /VEDOMAV-('Of Bodvocus - he lies here, the son of Catotigirnus and the great grandson of Eternalis Vedomavus'), (a Latin inscription mentioning Welsh names) but perhaps you are better off not reading since in 1945 a tradition was reported: `The ignorant common people' in the neighbourhood of this stone promise ... that whoever happens to read the inscription shall die soon after. `Let the Reader therefore take heed what he does; for if he reads it he shall certainly dye'.The curious may note that looking east across the field you can make out the Bronze Age round barrow Twmpath Diwlith at the far edge.

Walk through Maesteg Golf club keep straight ahead Parking available at top of road ....the stone is a replica ....original in Margam Stones Museum....on crisp cold clear day can see across Bristol chanel and Cardiff. Views across to Swansea .... its a place to leave the rat race behind...I walk but its excellent for mountain biking.

Interesting to see but the stone is a replica of the original which dated back to 6th century (original to be found in museum). This replica is itself rather unimposing not least because someone decided it was a good place to carve in an ordnance survey symbol. The materials used are also deteriorating.Nothing else to see here except long forest trail walks and some lovely views inland and out across Swansea Bay and Bristol Channel.High forested ground .. dress sensibly!

With all of the tree now gone the views are spectacular, I Mountain bike weekly here and have introduced many to this sight and are all blown away by the views and history.Can anyone explain to me how there are fish in the pond next to the Stone as there's no stream running into it and it's the highest point of the mountain.

Well worth the 4.5 round walk 2hrsParked in lay by at maesteg golf clubNo cost it's in the forestry

Peace and beautiful views. Tower blocks of Cardiff visible on a good day to the east. Lovely views of Bristol channel

Lovely walk or ride to get there but the stone itself is obviously a replica of the original that is elsewhere in a museum. Unfortunately it is either a bad casting or the materials were poor as the inscriptions are pretty much illegible now.