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

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The Rollright Stones (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

(22/08: 3:15pm) My second time at the Rollrights, and this time I choose to spend my time with the King Stone. The perfect way to de-stress after a three hour journey from South Wales. There are dozens of people crowded into the circle, and only me here.

A quick walk down to the Whispering Knights, then I'll say my farewells again. Until next time.

Brinklow (Artificial Mound) — Fieldnotes

I returned to the mound this morning, to climb to the top and try to gain some understanding of its geographical situation. Warwickshire isn't reknowned for its hill configurations - so there were no alignments evident (aside from the Fosse Way which you can see running straight SW and NE, going around the mound - like one of those comedy arrows you can stick on your head). This is to be expected really, as the common theory is that Brinklow is alligned on a leyline of some significance (running along similar lines to the Fosse Way).

BTW, it doesn't seem to matter what time you come to the mound - you always have to share it! (Today it was with a pleasant enough tatooed sunbather, who kind of disturbed the peace a little with his snoring...)

The mound at Brinklow (known locally at the Tump, or, even more imaginatively, the ïBig HillÍ) is presented by Warwickshire County Council as the ñearthworks of a Norman castleî. But the mound was already at least 500 years old when the NormanÍs decided to build upon it. As pointed out by Julian in TMA, the Fosse Way (much detested Roman road running 200 miles from Exeter to Lincoln) deviates in its straight course here (and only here) to go ïaroundÍ the mound. More evidence of the moundÍs antiquity is shown in the name of the village: ïBryncaÍ being an ancient personal name, and ïhlawÍ meaning hill or mound; hence BryncaÍs Mound. The mound has never been excavated, so speculation to it being a burial mound (possibly even BryncaÍs?) remains exactly that.

Despite being an excellent picnic site, itÍs always quiet here (apart from the fool who has today decided to pitch a tent on the very summit (letÍs hope thatÍs not a Stanley knife he has in that plastic bagƒ ahem) ¨¢ although NatashaÍs vertigo precludes us going that high anyhow). Looking around itÍs amusing to note that hardly any signs of the Norman occupation of this land remain (apart from a few extra ditches), while the mound itself still rolls strong and proud above the surrounding coutryside.

The site, on the outskirts of Coventry, is easily accessible from the Fosse Way. Heading North through the village, take the first right after the church of St. John. After about a 200 yards a stile on the right leads to the foot of the mound.

Brimham Rocks (Rocky Outcrop) — Fieldnotes

We used to play here as kids, ultimate abandonment to imagination. The rocks were transformed into the red rocks we saw in cowboy films, and as the Apache I would rain imagined arrows down onto my six-gun toting pals...

...now I know, and see through different eyes, that the rocks have an attraction, a history and a fantasy all of their own - which far outshines anything that my wild imagings projected on them.

Come by night in Winter, if you can.

Arbor Low (Circle henge) — Fieldnotes

sometime last week:
Sitting among the prone stones, gaze drifting away to the distant hills... Cows wandering about on idly on the mounds, laying extremely healthy-looking patts on the daisies.

Time stands still. I've just driven through 90 minutes of Hell's traffic to get here, and I've got about another 3 hours of B-roads to go before I arrive at my final destination (Ingleton)... But the stones are warm, lichen-smooth, and welcoming. And for now, right here, I am happy.

And Natasha is riding one of the angled ancient slabs like its a magic carpet. What a buzz.
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