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

Fieldnotes by treehugger-uk

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Burwains Camp (Enclosure)

A very easy place to find directly accross from the picnic site marked on the map the enclosure is also marked on the o.s. map there are the remains of possibly 2 structures here firstly theres a small hill in the field with some low banks and ditches on top of it which are clearly circular secondly at the bottom of the hill some 30 yards away there is the remains of another structure this consists of a low circular bank of stones mostly fallen there are some large kerbstones and also a smaller rubble bank but this is mostly hidden by the undergrowth.
i first came here in summer and returned in october where i was able too see more of the structure maybe as the winter months go on i will visit again and be able to make out some more of this feature, but it looks to me to be the remains of a kerbed cairn although there is no mound in the centre.

Pikestones (Chambered Cairn)

I've been wanting to visit the Pikestones for sometime now and so on a crisp october day I decided to do so. Suprisingly they were relativelyeasy to find. Follow the road round past the Manor House 'til the road leads straight again and there is a gate at the top of the road just before the road takes a sharp right. Park your car by the gate as there's loads of room behind. The gate is at the end of a track leading straight on the Pikestones. Although not signposted, it's in a field to the left of the gate. You can't miss it. It's in the top left of the field by the trees.

Once here you are immediately struck by the utter destruction of the site, although there is still a lot to see. It's just a shame to see this site in the state its in. It must have been a very grand place at one time, but the thing that really saddened me was the lack of respect it had been given by somebody who had actually stuffed crisp wrappers, a Pot Noodle carton and baby wipes in the burial chamber itself along with other rubbish. Do people not know this place contained burials? It's a grave, a final resting place of once great people, and they deserve the dignity they were placed here with. Anyway I cleared the site of rubbish and that was an end to that I hope.

I did not find the stone circle nearby which was mentioned although there are lots of earthworks here (too many too photograph). One thing does intrigue me though. The info board mentions this is one of only two chambered tombs found in Lancashire. Does anyone know which the other was? All in all a beautiful place and fantastic views. You sometimes forget how beautiful Lancashire is, and this place indeed reminds you.

Castercliff Camp (Hillfort)

On one of my many trawls around the moors behind Nelson looking for those elusive monuments (and there are quite a few round here) I chanced across this place - Wow what a suprise!

There's banks and ditches everywhere which are quite confusing to work out where one starts and the other ends! On a warmer day I will come back here and map this thing out. So if you are in this area don't miss this one out.


DIRECTIONS
From jctn 12 I drove through Nelson towards the town centre just follow the through traffic, 'til you come to traffic lights where you can only turn left or right. Turn right and follow the road through, bearing right. Keep following the road, turning right again at a mini roundabout. Follow this road for quite a while 'til you see a sign for the activity centre on your right (almost leaving Nelson). Take the right there and at the top of that road which turns into a country lane take a left signposted to the activity centre. Follow this road to the end and if you look left at the end of the road it's right there. However if you turn right about a 100yards down on the left hand side of the road, there's a huge gravel verge for you to park on

Worsthorne Hill (Stone Circle)

I first visited this site in February of this year, but heard about more circles within a few hundred yards of this so decided to come back but the grass was so much longer this time.

There are apparently three circles in this area and all of them very hard to find. I did find one though and I believe this to be the remains of Worsthorne Hill Stone Circle. There is another stone circle on the O.S. map (apparently next to it) that I could not find, although there was a fenced off area circular in shape and mowed in the first field to the left of the footpath (any ideas guys?).

Crossing into the 2nd field looked more promising a series of banks and ditches appeared although on further inspection this turned out to be the remains of an old rubbish tip, complete with two ruined tractors (lovely!). Worsthorne Stone Circle is in this field, but it's hard to see when the grass is long because the stones are very low.

Anyway I've posted photos of the circular enclosure and the remains of Worsthorne take a look and see what you think.

DIRECTIONS
Taking the road east through the village of Worsthome (TIP: if you go to the first pub on your right don't make a comment to the barmaid about how quiet the pub is!). The church is on your left hand side of the road. Take the left turn just before the church and follow the road down (it turns into a track). Go down the track a little, brown edge farm is on your right here. Park just after the farm. There is a gate with a stile next to it on your left - this is the first field with the circular ring in it. As I mentioned, this could be nothing, but it's a good indication that your in the right field. Follow the path into the next field and there's a blue ruined tractor/roller by the side of the path and also a ruined beige coloured one. Make a line from the blue to the beige tractor and keep going. In the field and you will see the remains of Worsthorne Stone Circle. Happy hunting!

Moel ty Uchaf (Cairn circle)

Yesterday we visited Moel ty Uchaf and although we were expecting something much bigger we were not dissapointed this is truly a wonderful place the views from this circle just blow you away what I particulary noticed about this place as opposed to many other circles I have visited is the complete tranquility here, there are no major roads nearby and no motorways buzzing in the background fantastic.

We decided to take the trusty kite out today and fly it from the top of the hill. Whilst flying the kite we noticed some anomolies at the bottom of the hill in the opposite direction to which we'd walked up the hill (see my photos). A jumble of huge stones, more boulders, a peculiar slate arrangement and the remains of a cairn similliar to the size of glassonby in Cumbria, but this one was made up almost entirely of white quartz! The grass is so thick here it must hide so many secrets and all round the circle you can find stones hidden under the turf if you look hard enough theres so much to see here if you just look. Also on the track on the way up, if you look in the field before the first farmhouse, I'm sure there're the remains of another stone circle(?). We also found the chambered cairn on the way up to here but failed to gain access. Our bellies were calling us but its halfway in between Moel ty Uchaf and Cynwyd on your right hand side just next to a farmhouse in a small enclosed field.

Directions
This place is quite easy to find once youve got directions! As you don't see it until your right upon it! Anyway take B4401 off the A5. Pass through Cynwyd and about half a mile down you'll see a red telephone box and postbox on the corner of a lane on your left hand side. Go up that lane 'til you come to a gate leading up to a hill. We parked our car just behind this gate in a field. We asked the farmer who said it was fine as it is still a public place. Then follow the path up the hill and on the top you will find the circle and over the other side of the hill the ruined/overgrown cairn (and other structures). Enjoy!

Gunnerkeld (Stone Circle)

After driving back from Mayburgh henge one fine summers day I was on the M6 heading south and had a sudden urge to look to the left of me for some mother hills to pass the time as I took the long drive back to Blackpool. To my surprise I saw this strange stone circle in a field to my left.

Not knowing what it was I logged on as soon as I got home, and discovered it to be Gunnerkeld, which I'd never heard of before.

One week later I was at Gunnerkeld, and what a beautiful place it is. Even the bustle of the M6 couldn't spoil it for me. This is a truly remarkable place. There is a huge boulder that seems to be made from pure crystal, situated directly opposite the entrance to the circle. There seem to be three circles here in all, a mound in the middle and two concentric outer ones. The place itself definately has an ambience. I got a sense of overwhelming sadness here and I'm sure the place was crying out to me about the indignity of the M6. This truly is a sacred place. The farmer seems to care about it too, but alas the M6 is here to stay. A nice touch was the numerous people who beeped their horns at us knowing where we were and acknowledging our presence here.
Directions

As always I'm submitting precise directions to make your journey easier. Don't forget to ask the farmer's permission first. So far we've found all the Cumbrian farmers friendly.

From Shap follow the A6 north towards Penrith. Around half a mile north of Shap take a right turn. Follow this road passing over one half of the M6 and under the other half. Take the next left and then left again down a farm track about a third of a mile later. The track leads down to Gunnerwell Farm it also worth noting that if you go south through shap towards junction 39 of the M6 you'll see a railway line at the end of the village. Towards the left keep looking, and poor old Kemp Howe appears.

Summerhouse Hill (Round Cairn)

This is a very strange place indeed. Most of the stones in the circle have been split in two, possibly an attempt at clearing the stones but 5 stones still survive in the Circle this thing is so big it has 3 Grid Refs!
I visited this site three days ago and its still playing on my mind and im not entirely sure why?


Directions:
Take the road from Warton to Yealand Conyers village. On your left hand side as you drive through the village you will come to a lane called 'Peters Lane' (or it could have been St Peters Lane - I can't remember now and I was driving so I couldn't take notes!). Signposts are pointing this way to Leighton Hall. It's probably best here to approach by foot.

On the first bend of the road take the hill up where there is a large wooden gate and a signpost just behind the wall. Follow the sign pointing to Leighton Hall. Basically it is very easy from here (I know you've probably heard that a thousand times). In the field behind the gate you'll see a rocky outcrop at the top of the hill. Go to the summit of this hill/field and over the other side at the top you will be greeted by the Summerhouse/cairn itself.

Tatham (Enclosure)

Well, there's not a lot I can say that the previous post didn't say. This place is beautiful, peaceful but has an eerie sense about it too. The ambience and views are amazing. Me and the young lady in the photos aren't very well prepared when we go to these sites, and like the challenge of finding somewhere. We always find it half the thrill, but we honestly thought this one had eluded us. We had travelled the way to Wennington Road for half an hour but couldn't find the site at first (obviously we suceeded in the end!).

Here're the best directions for finding Tatham Hill. Coming from Wray village towards Wennington follow the double bend in the road. Just after the bend you will see a cattle crossing sign on your right and a little further to the left you will see an extremely large brownstone farmhouse and a small bridge in the middle of the road (it just looks like 2 walls either side as the road passes over a small stream). Just past the bridge you will see a metal gate on your right with a gravel path this leads to another gate and leads you directly to the hill. You can just make out the banks on top from the side of the road. Enjoy this beautiful site in good old Lancashire :)
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