The ancient burial chamber was excavated in 1914. The remains of around 50 people were discovered along with other items that suggest that the chamber was used until 2000 B.C.

There is a stone sided pit behind the chamber, which may have been used as part of the burial process.

Tinkinswood legend

Local legend tells that if you sleep there on May Day Eve, St Johns Eve or Midwinter's Eve you will either die, go mad or become a poet.

This is a popular Welsh myth that also relates to other locations including: the standing stones at St. Nicholas, Glamorgan, the stone chair on the summit of Cader Idris (Gwynedd), and other Welsh Cairns, such as Bedd Taliesin (Taliesin's Grave) in Llanfihangel, Dyfed.

A group of boulders outside and to the south of the chamber are believed to be women turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath

St Lythan's Burial Chamber

About one and a half miles away from Tinkinswood is St.Lythans, a Neolithic chambered tomb.

Also known as Gwal-y-Filiast (Greyhound Bitch's Kennel) - it was once used apparently as an animal shelter. The tomb is located in a field, known locally as the 'Accursed Field', (because nothing can grow there).

It balances a huge capstone - 14 feet long and 10 feet wide. The portal stones are smoothed and the back stone has a hole in the top. The entrance faces north-east.