Showing 1-20 of 43 fieldnotes. Most recent first | Next 20 
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The path to this barrow is signposted 'No access to Tenantry Farm'. Follow the path for about 250yds and a bridleway crosses from one narrow copse to another. Keep straight on and in the field on the left behind a narrow copse the barrow is about 100yrds further on. There is a break in the trees and access to the field. The barrow is all but ploughed out and only barely visible. Crops were growing on the barrow and track marks driven straight over so this barrow is not much longer for this world.
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This barrow is well presented now despite its obvious previous mutilation. Parking is tempting in the Martin Social club but unfriendly signs made us park on the verge instead. At the end of the lane next to Long Barrow House the barrow is neatly fenced off and seemingly protected. The damage has already been done though and it now has a strange crescent shape. The roots of some old trees almost give the impression of sarsens and it feels a bit like some of the Dorset stones sites such as Hell Stone or Grey Mare & Her Colts. Weird. Nice situ though with good views.
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Visited this site whilst on a quick tour round the Rockbourne/Martin Long Barrows. Its access hasn't improved since jimit's notes. I ended up pushing my way through the brambles/ivy and found the barrow itself very ill defined. There were some very barky dogs on Tenantry Farm but they ran away as we walked passed.
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This barrow in Martin is a stones throw from Grans Barrow in Rockbourne and accessible from the same path (opposite Tenantry Farm /Riding School. The edge of the barrow is very much defined by the path and as such doesn't seem as well defined as Grans Barrow that still maintains its own definition between the fields. Both are somewhat spoiled by the proximity of the overhead power cables. Interesting to speculate on the settlement implications for the siting of two barrows so close. Were they two close communities or were they defining their territory at their extremities. The Ducks Nest Barrow is the other way from the road up the bridleway opposite (not into Tenantry Farm)
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Park opposite turn for Hinton Ampner on layby and walk north up Wayfarers Way. Past house at top of metalled path to crossroads of byways. Turn Left /West and Barrow is in field on the right after 200 yrds -
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Park at Breamore House Tea Rooms car park and follow woodland trail up past house , through woods, follow path down to the left of the woods with the miz-maze in.
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Park at the Sustainability Centre Woodland Trail (Natural Burial Ground) 100yds East of the path that leads North with the old HMS Mercury site to your right. Heading up past Westhers Farm and the two large radio masts the barrow is in a field on the left a further 400yds up that path, opposite where a path joins from the right. Its not much of a bump to be honest but stunning views south.
Hampshire Treasures entry - "Half mile north of South Hants Ridgeway. Normal barrow of Wessex type with flanking ditches, orientated north east to south west. O.S.A. No. SU62 SE12."
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This site isn't easily found. Heading NE out of Owlesbury past the recreation ground on the right, straight on over the crossroads, about a third of a mile up the road the Kings Way emerges both sides of the road. Park in the southerly layby/field entrance and walk across the field following the bridle path. Take a left as you near the end of the copse, not well marked by a small post. Keep to the path following the narrow stretch of trees initially to the right and then crossing nearer to the left of the narrow strip. When the woods broaden around you walk through the trees to the left and Shortlands a square copse is visible on the other side of the field. All appears private but the barrow is just about definable in the hedgerow under the trees. The barrow is badly mutilated by animals, trees and is almost undefinable. It stretched from the front to the back of the copse
Hampshire Treasures - "In trees at southern edge of Shortlands Copse. O.S.A. No. SU 52 SW 13. Last O.S. Inspection 9.7.68. Ref: P.H.F,C., Vol. 14, p. 116."
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There is a group of Round Barrows on the hill brow looking North towards Petersfield/Langrish. The barrows are marked on the Info boards close to a recommended walk around the crown of the hill. I can't believe there was no IA activity atop Butser. There's clearly no hillfort but it would have been a fine sister to Old Winchester Hill. There was Neolithic activity all around too with Flint Mine (scatters) on nearby Windmill Hill (no not that one) and plenty of axes found around Petersfield.
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Following the Dorstone road, don't be fooled by the 'first' right. It's into a farm and a bugger to reverse out on quite a steep slope. Look out for the site sign on the left directing you to the next right. There is a layby to park actually at the site. Stunning views down the valley.
We took a short walk down the footpath across the adjoining field and not 50 yards downhill there's what looks like a robbed out /demolished burial chamber. Could I guess be a quarry site but it looked pretty much long barrow shaped with chambers. On the other hand could just have been a dump where the farmer had left some cleared rubble.
Nothing marked on the O.S (Streepmap) might check the SMR
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We parked in the Breamore House/Tea Rooms car park and followed the path up past the house through the wood. Exiting the woods and following the path round the edge of a field the next wood is sign-posted by the Estate with a large 'Miz-Maze' pointer. We carried on to the left of Miz-Maze Wood and Giants Grave is in the field behind. For Hampshire its quite a large barrow. Interestingly the 'mutilation' referred to in 'Hampshire Treasures' actually give it a horn-work feel, like a Cotswold Severn a la Belas Knap.
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Stumbled on Little Kits Coty in my third attempt at encircling Kits Coty. Parked as per Pure Joy on the 'demi lay-by', the Track is marked Pratling Street but looks like it loops round and comes out further down by the industrial estate having transformed into a more sensibly sized road. A twenty yard dash back against on-coming traffic was probably safer than walking all the way down from the recommended lay-by at the top of the hill for Kit Coty
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To add to the catalogue of parking difficulties, I drove round and round this site deciding to opt for the large layby in site of the pub at the end of the single track dual carriage way. From there instead of risking the walk back to the path UP the hill, I followed the pavement around and up the hill towards the Kits Coty Estate. After about 400yds (up hill but at least on a pavement) there is then a sign-posted path down some steps to a bridelway that leads down to the dolmen. Such a shame about the railings, bit of a feel of The Wispering Knights at the Rollrights. A passing woman on a horse confirmed that one of my aborted attempts at parking in the Kits Coty estate has got a footpath through to the field with the stones in and may have been nearer.
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Signs from the village and some friendly locals pointed me in the right direction. The walk from the car park isn't far but it had got a bit boggy. Visited on a damp Sunday morning but was all alone having left wifey at Bluewater (less than 30 mins - well worth bearing in mind if you have to assist in the transport for retail pilgrimages, these stones and Kits Coty are do-able in a couple of hours). The view down the Medway Valley isn't spectacular but not unpleasant, you can envisage why the site would inspire its builders. Unusual compared to say West Kennet, Stoney Littleton Waylands Smithey etc of the Cotswold Severn variety that are nicely set but not quite so 'perched' on high.
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Tanx to ocifant and excellent directions. These stones are really unassuming and a slight breeze whistling across the moor is enough to drown or a least disguise the distant roar of the A30 and you're deceptively secluded. Spectacular panorama. Not enough time to explore and walk to Stripple Stones/ Henge. Must return.
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After a failed attempt a couple of years ago to find the Stone rows at Merrivale (although we did get a good close up view of the TV mast - wrong hill) it was particularly pleasing to be happening across Dartmoor again and have another go. Field notes from purejoy particularly useful, past the pub in Merrivale travelling east and next layby on right. There are loads of laybys and car parks so specific direction was useful. Wifey Deb was satisfied with just being at the rows and lay in the warm September sun with her feet in the stream, and yes when you first arrive at the stream from the climb up the hill it does appear to be flowing uphill ! Explored the rows, the cracked open cist, and not forgetting the circle and Longstone. All in all a great place. A bit crowded (2 or 3 other groups) but all appreciative.
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Relatively speaking, Arbor Low is quite close to Alton Towers, so went my reasoning on convincing the family we should visit before spending the next day on processing in our pilgrimage in the queues at Alton. They seemed convinced until it started raining and they realised it was an additional 100 mile round trip back to the Stafford Travelodge , all after driving up from Portsmouth. Anyway I still think it was worth it. What a site. We did get a bit lost trying to come in from Youlgreave to the East on minor roads, JC's directions from the West and the fork on the A515 are far easier to follow.
I'll go with the 'designed to be recumbent' theory and from pictures I'd seen I hadn't realised just how impressive the henge itself was.
No barking dog, just very wet.
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Yeah, it's all kind of flat really. But great setting, the circle was overgrown so the stones were all but invisible other than when stood on top of each. The overgrown form however stands out in the otherwise kempt field. Didn't notice any sign of previously mentioned outer bank/ditch. I actually counted 19 stones but lets not get into one of those debates.
Hope the directions below help (also for Grey Mare & Her Colts that have been particularly illusive to me)
On the road to Abbotsbury from the A35 at Winterbourne Abbas, after a signpost right for Littlebredy and before you get to Portesham (see parking notes for Hell Stone) , there is a left turn signposted for the Hardy Monument. At this junction take the (very)minor road to the right (west). After about a mile the road bends sharply to the left and follows the valley round. At that point there is a layby to park. Return back up the road to the footpath that head NW up the hill. Shortly up this path you are faced with a 3-way split. The Public Footpath heads through a Private Farm. Take the Bridleway that heads straight on and hug the hedge to your left. After about 400yds there's a footpath through the hedge on the left. Follow this for about a hundred yards and the barrow is over another hedge.
Return to bridelway and follow for another 3/4 mile and just before the large clump of trees Kingston Russell Stone Circle is in a field on the left through a gated gap in the hedge.
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Oh Joy, over 80 miles from home, it's taken 3 aborted attempts to find this site over the last 3 years. But today we made it, armed with an O.S map and determined heart. Well worth the wait though, it is a kind of tumbled-down West Kennet. Hope the following will help. On the road to Abbotsbury from the A35 at Winterbourne Abbas, after a signpost right for Littlebredy and before you get to Portesham (see parking notes for Hell Stone, there is a left turn signposted for the Hardy Monument. At this junction take the (very)minor road to the right (west). After about a mile the road bends sharply to the left and follows the valley round. At that point there is a layby to park. Return back up the road to the footpath that head NW up the hill. Shortly up this path you are faced with a 3-way split. The Public Footpath heads through a Private Farm. Take the Bridleway that heads straight on and hug the hedge to your left. After about 400yds there's a footpath through the hedge on the left. Follow this for about a hundred yards and the barrow is over another hedge.
Return to bridelway and follow for another 3/4 mile and just before the large clump of trees Kingston Russell Stone Circle is in a field on the left.
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Came across the Goldstone 'circle' having taken the wrong road out of Brighton heading back to Pompey. The stones are of a strange concretian re-erected in a modern circle and surrounded by a fence in a park rather similar to some stones in a park in St. Helens, Jersey which have had the park built around their natual situ (one of the ones with unfathomably long french names). The Goldstone plaque does explain their modern interpretation laying blame on the farmer who buried the stones as he was getting fed up with tourists. Should have built a hut and sold postcards, they didn't embrace diversification even then. Despite being completely out of context some satisfaction can still be gleaned from being in their presence.
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Showing 1-20 of 43 fieldnotes. Most recent first | Next 20 |
Live in Pompey so only get to sites in passing. Consequently we tend to travel far for days out and picnics so we just happen to pass ancient sites. Kids are totally megalithed-out wife doesn't mind so long as walk is short and site contains some stones. Long walks to barrows don't go down well.
Have 'done' lot of sites in Cornwall, Dorset, Wilts including obviously Stonehenge & Avebury environs. Favourite site is probably Devils Den for its solitude but loved Castlerigg for its spectacular setting and always love stopping off at the Rollrights...and Stanton Drew....not forgetting Belas Knap....oh and Nine Ladies of Winterbourne Abbas.....and the Hell Stone
Also spent some time working in Swansea so did the Vale of Glam. /Brecon sites. Tinkinswood, Parc Le Breos etc
Heard Julian on Johnnie Walker launching the book yonks ago whilst stuck in the queue on the A3 at Hindhead doing the commuting thing and haven't looked back. Still ticking the sites off
I'd like to be excarnated and remains placed in a chamber/tomb in someway (preferably after death), so any offers of experimental archaeology projects welcomed.
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