The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

ocifant’s TMA Blog

Post to the TMA Blog

Herts runaround

As Mikki wanted to visit a couple of craft shops today, I decided to fit in a couple of sites I've not bothered with before.

Having got the shopping out of the way we headed along the A10 to Standon to see the Pudding Stone, in its picture postcard village setting. Back down the A10, then across country through Hertford and Welwyn to Wheathampstead to see the Devil's Dyke.

Standon Pudding Stone — Fieldnotes

11.05.03ce
Just around the corner from the village church, this was idyllic on a sunny Sunday morning. Villagers were cutting the lawn and gossiping over the hedge, giving a wonderful picture of rural village life.

The stone sits next to a memorial oak on a small green at a junction off the main High Street through the village. The information sign could do with a good clean (see photo), and the stone looks as if it's had a bit knocked off the top. It looks for all the world like a piece of modern sculpture in its shape. Interesting texture and well worth seeing if you're in the area.

Standon Pudding Stone — Images

11.05.03ce
<b>Standon Pudding Stone</b>Posted by ocifant<b>Standon Pudding Stone</b>Posted by ocifant

Devil's Dyke and the Slad — Fieldnotes

11.05.03ce
Popped along to take a look at this today, and also its continuation in St Albans, Beech Bottom Dyke.

It's an impressive defensive ditch, but I'd be inclined to just walk along to the end and attack at that point!

Of course, it's very overgrown now, with bluebells in abundance, as well as the usual detritus of 21st century living: broken cycles, botles, syringes etc. Apart from that, it'd be a nice short woodland walk alongside the housing estate.

Devil's Dyke and the Slad — Images

11.05.03ce
<b>Devil's Dyke and the Slad</b>Posted by ocifant<b>Devil's Dyke and the Slad</b>Posted by ocifant

Finally, back towards St Albans to see the other end of the Dyke at Beech Bottom Dyke before heading home to put the shopping away...

Beech Bottom Dyke — Fieldnotes

11.05.03ce
This earthwork is in a poor condition, and very overgrown but there is a walkway along the top from which the depth of the original dyke can be appreciated. The sides are very sheer in places, and seem to drop away to a depth of around 50-60 feet.

The earthwork is thought to have originally joined up with the Devil's Dyke to create a defensive earthwork running from the River Lea to the River Ver.

I found the best viewpoint was from the alleyway running between the houses on Beech Road, near the junction with Marshall Avenue.

Beech Bottom Dyke — Images

11.05.03ce
<b>Beech Bottom Dyke</b>Posted by ocifant<b>Beech Bottom Dyke</b>Posted by ocifant
ocifant Posted by ocifant
11th May 2003ce
Edited 2nd August 2004ce


Comments (0)

You must be logged in to add a comment