Latest Fieldnotes

I felt bit intimidated by the organisation of the National Trust on the Sunday morning we visited Plas Newydd – we didn’t particularly want to go into the house a it was shaping up to be a pleasant day weather-wise so viewed the dolmen from the top of the slope is has restricted access to the public. At that time we didn’t realise that unless you view Plas Newydd Burial Chamber from fairly close up it is not easy to see how splendid it is, certainly not from the path at the top of the slope where you can only see the top of it.
We went back the next day as the weather had turned wet and windy, it seemed like a good opportunity to have a look around the house. This time we asked to use the little motorised buggy that ferries less mobile people down to the house around the restricted access area. Nothing wrong with our mobility but it was a way of getting closer to the burial chamber. The driver of the buggy told us that the NT doesn’t encourage people to get close to it but will allow if you specifically ask. He kindly pulled up in front of the dolmen so I could take a photograph. By this time the rain was lashing down and I had rain on the lens – so my photos are not brilliant but they do show there are actually two dolmens – a large on and a small one. The smaller one is virtually hidden from view if you look from the top of the slope. Obviously, they were there a few thousand years before the house and would have looked out over the Menai Straights towards Snowdonia.

In spite of the rain, we didn’t stay long in the house ... that wasn’t what I come for.

Not sure where to start with my trip to Anglesey and North Wales so decided on this enigmatic small burial chamber. We went to Plas Newydd with the prime intention of seeing the dolmen on the front lawn of the house. It was a pleasant day so we decided to walk around the extensive grounds starting with the arboretum. I had given up on seeing Bryn-yr-Hen-Bobl as no one I asked seemed to know what I was talking about – on the way back from the wooded area I spotted it in a field adjacent to the Plas Newydd Gardens. We walked up to a locked gate and, feeling furtive, climbed over. The burial chamber itself is protected by a wooden fence and locked gate but easy to see it clearly over the wooden fence. Very satisfying to spot it and manage a quick visit.

Crosswood enclosure could be seen as part of the complex of sites around Four Crosses and Llandysilio. It’s a circular enclosure with an internal ditch, bisected by the road from Rhos to Llandrinio. The road crosses the site about a third of the way from the northern part of the arc, so it’s not an obvious re-use of any original entrances. Sadly the earthwork has been much reduced by ploughing, rather similarly to the nearby line of Offa’s Dyke. It’s best preserved at the northwest, where both the bank and the internal ditch can be made out clearly, albeit not the easiest thing to photograph. Running east the bank gets even further reduced, to the point of near-disappearance.

On the south of the road we couldn’t see anything at all, but this did involve trying to peer through a pretty thick hedge!

Not the most impressive place to visit, but as pretty much the only visible remains of the numerous sites on this flat plan, it’s worth a quick hello.

Visited: May 31, 2015

As Carl states, Dùn Skudiburgh is visible when you travel south down the A855 towards Uig, and a car parking area is handily located at NG385653 for a visit. Walk 200 metres south and take the track to Scuddaborg farm, continuing past the farm to the coast – a walk of 35 minutes or so. Don’t try to short-cut across the fields because you will become trapped in a maze of fences, bogs and water-filled ditches.

It’s a steep climb to the top of Dùn Skudiburgh, best eased by taking a rising, anticlockwise route round the hill, topping out on its largely featureless, almost level grassy summit. The only real interest, apart from the views, is the dun, as very little of the original, underlying fort remains.

Despite the tumbledown nature of the dùn, there still remain stretches of walling up to eight courses in height, and there is evidence of ground-level galleries in at least two places. And there are great views north to Dun Liath, and south to Idrigill Point.

Visited: May 25, 2015

Dùn Neill stands proudly on a promontory, mid-way between Ardmore and Harlosh Point.

Though the remains of the dùn are scant, the situation is magnificent, surrounded by sheer cliffs on three sides and by the sea on the fourth: access is difficult, and requires good scrambling technique.

Two courses of external walling still survive on the northeast of the dùn, along with a few stones of inner walling, but for the most part, the summit of the promontory is level, featureless and grassy.

Visited 22nd May 2015

Scouring the OS maps for obscure Orcadian sites I’d not yet visited, I spotted a promising looking standing stone at Spurdagrove. So parking up at the nearby Loons RSPB reserve, and armed with some binoculars, we took shelter from the biting wind inside the bird hide, and scoped out the landscape looking for the stone. A plethora of fence posts and tufty grass made it hard to identify our target, and despite spotting some Tufted ducks amidst the wetlands, and a very cute gaggle of goslings with their Greylag goose parents, the lesser spotted stone of Spurdagrove continued to prove elusive. Checking the O.S. map it looked as if the stone should be fairly close to the road, so braving the icy breeze we walked along the lane from the hide.

Just a short way along the road we noticed a newly tarmacked layby, next to a short path which led to a seat looking out over the Loons and sheltered by a semi-circular concrete wall as a windbreak, the whole structure looking newly built. From here Ellen spotted the small stone, tucked away down by the fenceline.
A nearby gate gave access into the field which sloped down toward the stone, the ground becoming more wet and marshy as you approach the fence and the wetland beyond. Marsh marigolds lined the bottom of the field, and amidst the wonderful view across the flat marshland plenty of birds could be seen.

Approaching the stone the small ‘recumbent’ paired with it becomes visible, although at first I didn’t realise it as such, thinking it was just a natural stone outcrop. I’d been gingerly picking my way through the boggy ground, and now reached the fence, the small standing stone tantalisingly close just on the other side.
As I’ve said before in many fieldnotes, when I visit a megalithic site I always have an urge to touch it. Somehow it just doesn’t seem as satisfying if I don’t, it’s hard to explain. I think somehow it just gives me a sense of connection, touching the stone, my hands making contact with the same surface that, thousands of years ago, another pair of hands, those of a distant Neolithic ancestor, had toiled and struggled to move and set up the monument in this place for their own unknowable purpose. So I’ll often go to great lengths to have that physical connection. On this occasion it takes little more than donning some wellies, and carefully stepping over part of the rickety gate which is gently sinking into the marsh, in order for me to get up close and personal to the stone.

Practically abutting the fence, it’s a small and wide stone, with a sloping top, of a grey rock with cracks running diagonally across it and pale lichen growing over it in bands. The stone itself reminds me of a stunted version of the Comet stone at Brodgar.

Hunkering down near the stone out of the wind I watch Lapwings wheeling overhead, the sound of their mournful cries carrying on the wind and giving the place a melancholy air, but still I love it here. The earth smells rich and loamy down by the stone, and out of the wind even the sun has some warmth. I’m glad to have found another of Mainland’s standing stones, they’re all different in their own ways, and though Spurdagrove won’t win the award for most impressive, it’s got a great atmosphere in a lovely location, and I know I’ll be back!

May 25, 2015

However you approach it, Dùn Arkaig is probably the most remote of the Skye brochs. Brochs are generally found close to the coast, but this one stands some four kilometres up Glen Ose.

I made my attempted visit, starting from the community of Gearymore, by taking to the higher ground past the final house. Unfortunately, everything was very wet, and I was forced to turn back about a kilometre short of my target by an unexpected stream in rather high spate.

On reflection, an approach from the north, taking the road to Balmeanach, then forestry tracks, would seem to be a much friendlier route (so long as the River Ose is not in spate, as it has to be crossed eventually).

Visited 17th May 2015

The earlier rain has blown over now, but the brisk wind remains (well what did I expect, this is Orkney!) Now that the sun’s out I decide on a walk to the Long Cairn from the centre of Kirkwall. Taking the East road out of town you’re soon in the countryside, with the town spread out behind you as you head along the coast towards the Head of Work.

Once past the sewage works and a couple of gates negotiated, a vague path follows the shoreline to avoid the soggy moorland which comprises the rest of the headland. The walk grants superb views of the island of Shapinsay, seemingly only a stone’s throw away across the Sound, and allows me to get a good view of the chambered cairn atop Helliar Holm, the uninhabited island which practically connects to the south of Shapinsay, probably as close as I’ll get to it without a boat!

Skuas wheel around me as I walk along the headland and on arriving at the cairn I’m dive bombed by a tern, which obviously must be nesting nearby. The outline of the Long Cairn looks suitably chunky on the O.S map, and it’s just as substantial in real life. The large mound is visible on the headland from some distance as you approach. Some of the cairn stones are still visible amongst the grassy tumulus, particularly atop the mound where a small dip in the top has been accentuated by the piling up of stones around the depression by someone to create a partial windbreak.

I hunker in the dip to write my fieldnotes and marvel at the site. Another fine promontory location for a monument, and looking out to the west the dark heather clad slopes of Wideford hill draw the eye. The Long Cairn seems to be one in a chain of great burial structures, Wideford and Cuween atop the high ground and the Long Cairn sitting at the edge of the land, perhaps once a large landmark cairn on the coast like Midhowe was on Rousay.

The length of the Long Cairn can still be made out, as can the vestigial remains of the horned enclosure at the front of the cairn. I love the solitude here, so near to Kirkwall but seemingly so remote, one of the places I love to walk to in order to escape the hustle and bustle of Kirkwall when a cruise ship is in harbour!

Visited 17th May 2015

I’m told there are twenty-three standing stones on Orkney Mainland, and being determined to visit them all I turn to Stembister. It’s been on the radar for a while, and inspired by Wideford’s pictures and fieldnotes I’d attempted a visit before, driving up the track off the A960 and getting as far as the entrance to the farm, before finding I’d have to park in the farmer’s yard should I wish to walk onwards to the stone. Not wanting to intrude, and being a somewhat unsociable creature, I decided then against knocking on the door to request access, and turning the car around decided to find a different approach another day.

That was nearly a year ago, but today I’m back and having examined the 1:25,000 scale O.S. map it looks as if it would be possible to walk along the coastline to reach the stone therefore avoiding having to disturb the farmer. Taking advantage of some brief blue skies amidst the recent showery weather, I drive out to the car park at the wonderfully descriptively named beach at Sandi Sands. There are lovely views out here both to the north and south of this thin spit of land, with the large green mound of Dingie’s Howe, itself an ancient Norse ‘thing’ or parliament, built on the remains of a broch site, dominating the approach to the southern shore of the beach.

Climbing up past the Howe, and following the cliff edge I’m buffeted by a brisk wind as I walk along the vague track that runs next to the fenceline. It’s probably not a route for the fainthearted or anyone afraid of heights as it takes you pretty close to the edge, and I found myself having to keep one eye out for my footing, despite the distractions of the plentiful birdlife, and the desire to spot the pod of Orca’s that have been seen around the coasts of Orkney over the past few days. After negotiating the odd gully, and a quick clamber over a piece of fence which extended out to the cliff edge, the stone itself became visible.

Soon I was there, at a typical slab of Orcadian sandstone around 6’ tall, the tip bent at a jaunty angle, and somehow reminding me of the fin of a whale. The ever present tufts of sea moss ubiquitous on Orcadian megaliths tickle my neck as I sit with my back to the stone looking out to sea. It’s a wonderful view, with the island of Copinsay bold on the horizon, the stone wonderfully placed on its promontory, and reminiscent of the stones I’ve seen on South Ronaldsay in size and shape.

As with many other standing stones there is supposedly folklore surrounding giants attached, the oversized inhabitant of Stembister was said to have flung stones as far as Copinsay, presumably the standing stone here was the result of a duff throw, the name of the farm itself also coming from the old Norse, stein-bolstadr, meaning ‘stone-farm’.

As lovely as the view to the south-east is the same can’t be said of the opposite aspect, with the shabby agricultural outbuildings of the farm a glowering presence, and the farmhouse only a few feet from the stone. Such a close proximity does ruin the atmosphere somewhat, but as long as you fix your eyes out to sea you can forget the trappings of modernity and enjoy the stone, which I do until the clouds I can see sweeping along the coast whisk across me to unload some more rain, forcing me to hurriedly make my damp way back to the car.

Visited: May 24, 2015

Dùn Liath stands on a low eminence above the cliffs to the east of Kilmuir in Skye’s Trotternish peninsula. Now very much collapsed, there are still several courses of walling to the south of the dùn, and several places where the galleried nature of this fort is still evident. In addition to an intra-mural cell, there is also, unusually, an extra-mural cell outside the remains of the eastern rampart.

Access to Dùn Liath is from the Sgeir Lang Slipway, where you are faced with an immediate climb to the clifftop, and then by a path for about a kilometre west then southwest along the coastline.

Visited: May 28,2015

About four kilometres south of Isleornsay along the A851, Dùn Knock proved harder to visit than anticipated. Setting off from a car parking area beside Loch nann Dubhrachan, the OS map suggested an easy walk of about 500 metres to the east. But it was not to be.

Dùn Knock sits amid a cluster of low hills and is not visible from the road. Getting there was somewhat like tackling a maze.

There is a river to cross, and little in the way of paths towards the dùn. Nevertheless, I eventually arrived there to find the dùn, almost completely encircled by the tumbled remains of a defensive wall. There’s lots of fallen masonry here, much of it concealed by thick heather, and I tumbled head-over-heels numerous times making the apparently easy descent from the dùn.

In retrospect, it might have been wiser to tackle the dùn from the coast at Teange, a kilometre farther south.

Visited: September 3, 2014

As you drive south past Gesto on A863 from Uig, the precipices of Beinn Dhubh rear up ahead. And if you are sufficiently sharp-sighted, you can just make out the outline of Dun Taimh on its northwest summit. Although this fort lies at an altitude of 150 metres above the waters of Loch Harport, the road obligingly rises to within 30 metres of the dun, with a small car-park handily placed just a few metres beyond its highest point. Just cross the road, straddle the fence, and enjoy a gentle walk over heather for no more than 400 metres.

Now badly ruined, Dun Taimh offers almost unrivalled views beyond the precipitous cliffs of Beinn Dhubh towards Loch Bracadale and its many islets, Macleod’s Tables and the Outer Hebrides. Within the fort stands a large cairn, built in 1887 using masonry from the dun, to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.

Visited today with the Extreme Stonefeelers. Just beyond the end of the lay-by (not the end by the bridge) there is a gap between two bushes and in there the barbed wire ends and there is a bit of a wooden fence that can be climbed over with only a little difficulty. There are some strands of wire through it but not barbed. The wood rails slope a bit and could be slippery but easy enough with a little care and sensible footwear.

Visited: May 28, 2015

Finally, a successful foray to visit Skye’s most elusive Early Iron Age fortification, Dùn Grugaig at Glasnakille on the Strathaird peninsula, just four kilometres beyond Elgol. Following an unusually cold spell during April and May this year, new growth of brambles and bracken was minimal, and underfoot conditions allowed a fairly straightforward excursion this time.

I started from a few metres north of No 3 Glasnakille (see previous report), and found that the rickety stile had now been replaced with a much more robust one. My route proved somewhat circuitous as, to avoid as much of the birch scrub as possible, I followed the edge of the scrub in a southeasterly direction for about 40 metres till I saw evidence of a clearing through the trees ahead. On crossing the clearing, and heading for the sea, I soon picked up a path parallel with the coast, and headed north towards my target. Though somewhat muddy, the path, generally about two metres from the cliff edge, was easy to follow, and after covering 100 metres or so, the dùn was sighted through the trees.

Dùn Grugaig stands about 15 metres above the sea atop a narrow, sheer sided promontory. I continued round the coast till I reached a fence across the neck of the promontory. The wire fence ends with a stout wooden section which acts as a stile for continuing towards the dùn. At first sight, you have the impression that there must be a vertical drop beyond the fence, but in fact a steep but manageable grassy slope leads to the shore below the dùn, and is well worth exploring to view the amazing rock scenery there.

From the fence, a few strides along a grassy path takes you through a small stand of birch scrub and reveals the amazing 4-metre deep wall that separates the promontory from the mainland.

According to Canmore, a much narrower version of the wall probably once encircled the entire grassy headland beyond, but today interest is confined to the remarkable stonework of the dùn with its near perfect entrance passage, surmounted by a triangular keystone, and above that the remains of a gallery. The accompanying photographs explain better than any words of mine, what a splendid monument Dùn Grugaig is.

Leaving the dùn, I took as direct a line as I could to the skyline and emerged into the field just north of the point where I started. Although this was a much shorter route, it is steeper than my inward path, and is also heavily infested with rank vegetation (including prickly brambles, and tall bracken).

There is an excellent, highly detailed, descriptive account of this monument on the Canmore website.

Visited: May 23, 2015

On revisiting this site, I discovered, almost completely flush with the ground, a third large stone, approximately 3 metres to the east of the ‘north’ stone, and of similar size.

Following a rather harsh winter, vegetation regrowth was minimal, exposing this stone.

The stone circle is indicated on the map below by the red marker. The blue marker shows the position of Angel’s Hill.

Visited 25.5.15

Directions:
Just south of the village of Thornborough on the A507. The car park is sign posted.

My last site visit of our weekend away and what a good one it was!

Despite the constant hum of traffic on the very busy A507 this is a pretty place to stop off. Adjacent to the car park is the medieval bridge which the information board state was built in 1400. This crosses a pretty little stream/river which is full of reeds and life. I do like an old bridge – but that’s another story!

Next to this is a wooden kissing gate which gives access to the field where the two barrows reside. They are HUGE. Approximately 5m high x 25m across, and both seem to be in good condition. There was no sign of the tyre tracks previously reported. The information board states the barrows were constructed in approximately 200AD. Other than the sheep and lambs I had the place to myself.

This is a really easy site to access and the barrows are very impressive. The river / bridge is a very pretty setting and well worth stopping off for. The only down side was the rubbish dumped in the car park by some low life or other. An old fridge, wardrobe, microwave etc.
What is wrong with these people? :(

Visited 25.5.15

Directions:
Next to the 3 horse shoes roundabout, near the train station.
Plenty of parking available.

We found the site with surprisingly little difficulty. Karen stayed in the car (Dafydd now watching a DVD on the ancient Greeks whilst Sophie was enjoying Annie).

I first walked up to the (naturally) vandalised information board and read it as best I could. I then headed up the grass bank which is part of the perimeter of the enclosure. Let’s be honest, this is not the nicest of places. The urban sprawl of Luton represents (to me) all that is bad in modern day ‘progress’. It is not a pretty sight.

However, this small oasis does at least provide some respite from the dreariness of the surroundings. The further you walk into the field the better it seems. Car noise is replaced by bird song and (if you try hard enough) you can start to forget about the ‘progress’. At least there was no litter to be seen – which was another surprise.

From the top of the bank you can appreciate what an elevated position this is – IF you can erase the modern buildings etc this would have been a locally prominent location. I was able to trace large sections of the bank across the grass and out of the trees. This would have been a very large area.

There is not a huge amount to see here and to be honest had the site not appeared in Julian’s big orange book the chances are I wouldn’t have gone out of my way to visit. However, this is an important site and as such is worth the effort. I am glad I visited but not a place I am likely to make a return visit.

Visited 24.5.15

Although a little distant from the main group of barrows Earl’s Hill barrow is easy enough to spot. An obvious thing to look for is the metal bench perched on top! It is next to the tee-off for the 18th (350 yards Par 4 – if you are interested).

The view from this large barrow is not as good as the main group due to the large factory / industrial site and new housing estate being built below. On the plus side the sun had finally broken out from behind the clouds and a warm glow of sunshine enveloped me.

I note 12 years have passed since Kammer visited. I would encourage other TMAers not to wait so long to pay a visit.

Visited 24.5.15

Once you arrive at the main group of round barrows the long barrow is easy to spot on the fairway of the adjacent golf course – 18th hole? It is larger than I expected, approximately 2m high x 30m long and looked to be in good condition. I know golf courses are not everyone’s cup of tea but at least they should offer some sort of protection to sites – excluding divots of course! I find it quite amazing that this long barrow was perhaps 2,000 years old when the ancestors decided to build their round barrows.
Makes you think – well, makes me think anyway!

Visited 24.5.15

Directions:
Just off the A505, west of Royston. Large (free) car park.

Karen stayed in the car to keep an eye on the children (who were busy watching DVDs – Dafydd a documentary on the Vikings / Sophie Peppa Pig!) whilst I headed up the obvious ‘chalk path’ towards the barrows which are easily seen from the car park.

Despite being overcast, it was quite warm with only a little breeze. Surprisingly for a bank holiday there were no golf players around so I didn’t have to worry about stray golf balls hitting me!

The three larger barrows are approximately 2.5m high x 20 across, the smaller ones approximately 1.5m high x 10m across. The ‘missing barrow’ Kammer refers to is possibly either a very small barrow next to the long barrow? On the other hand it may not be! Although one barrow showed clear damage caused by previous ‘excavation’ the others all appeared to be in good order.

There are good views to be had from the top of the barrows north and west.

The O/S map shows a couple of other barrows to the east and a further barrow across the road on the other side of the car park. Unfortunately I decided I didn’t have enough time to visit these as I felt I had been gone too long as it was. Which proved to be the right judgment call given Karen’s response when I did eventually arrive back at the car! It is surprising how quickly time can pass when you immerse yourself in a site.

This is an excellent place to visit and well worth the minimal effort. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time!

Parking is almost non existent, I left Phil in the car with instructions that should someone want entry into the field beep the horn, i’ll come running, and move the car from in front of the gate. The fort is only a hundred yards from the road, and strangely for a hill fort, not on a hill, a nice level stroll through a field and you’re there.
Anyway, technically its a promontory fort. The two banks and ditches cut off the area above the river llyfni and are still very tall and deep, walking along the bottom of the ditch the top of the bank is at least fifteen feet above me. At the end of the ditch I climb up onto the first tall bank and walk half way along, from here I can see the Dinas Dinlle seaside fort.
Down into the next ditch and back along to the south end of the fort and there is a morass of fort material, and a possible southern entrance.
Now i’m in the fort proper, there is a large Coflein certified artificial mound. At the eastern extreme of the fort there are no defences, there isn’t much need, the ground falls sharply down to the aforementioned river. I go down to the river and sit on a knoll looking over the up and down of the fast flowing torrent.
Then I go back into the fort and out through the northern entrance, it’s a weird entrance, it just sort of bypasses the earthworks, almost making them unnecessary, perhaps they were after all, just for show.

A very good and interesting fort in a beautiful area with fabulous views.

A rather strange set of circumstances surround my visit with this stone, I was at home going through some of Cofleins blue dots and found a standing stone that I’d never heard of, it was not far from the road so I had a look on Google streetview, I could see it clear as day, it looks quite tall as well, taller than me. Coflein confidently ascribe it to the bronze age with a ritual or funerary purpose. How could that one pass us by completely unknown, i’ll get to it shortly.

And here we are, it’s just after tea time and the sun is getting low, far from setting, but low enough to shower us with that beautiful golden glow.
The lanes round here are thin, the stone is not on the map, so some competent map reading is required.
I parked in front of the gate that leads into the field, the stone is twenty yards distant. It stands atop a small slight slope, take away the trees and you’ve got good all round views. The stone is nearly 8 feet tall and appears to be a grey slate with green lichen growing upon it, my petrochemical analysis was then interrupted by the lady at the house next door to the field. She was put out by our ad hoc visit to the site and said she would have been pleased to have been asked, my meek face reserved specially for irate landowners and misdelivered mail slid seamlessly across my visage. Many sorry’s and “the face” quickly placated her and then she freely divulged some information about the stone, local knowledge according to Aston’s rules of archaeology is invariably wrong, yet right at the same time, we’ll see.
The stones not old she says, well, it is old but not very old.
Oh yes ? The Royal commission of ancient and historical monuments of Wales doesn’t agree, I offered.
She replied that it was put up to commemorate the Boer war, there’s maybe 7 others in the vicinity.
Really ? where are they can you point me in the direction of the nearest other.
She duly pointed, and we said goodbye. I took a few pictures and we left, we had a half hearted look for the stone she pointed us towards but couldn’t find it.
Perhaps this was why no one else had bothered with this stone, it’s only just over a hundred years old, but why do Coflein say Bronze age. I decided to go to a nearby hill fort, where we know were on firmer footing.

Later at home and back on the computer I looked into the matter, there are indeed other standing stones in the very close vicinity, four in a half mile long rectangle. So she was half right there.
Also on Cofleins site description of the stone we went to see, it says it was recorded on the 1st edition OS map of 1889, seeing as the Boer war wasn’t till ten years later, she was all wrong there. Also, a quick look at Boer war commemorative stones brings nothing like the stone we saw.
Was she just trying to stop people coming to see the stone by saying it wasn’t all that old, that’s my feeling, but why aren’t these stones better known.
Someone with more resources and time should look into it.

Visited 24.5.15

Directions:
Next to Paper Mill Lane (near the church). Can’t really miss it. Plenty of parking.

My second ‘Pudding Stone’ in as many days! This one is even better than the first. It has a nice setting on a small green, next to a lovely oak tree. An information board and bench have been kindly provided. The stone sits on a conical flint built stand – nicely done.

Standon is a very pretty village with an attractive church. This, coupled with the stone itself, makes it a good place to visit if you happen to be in the area.

Visited 24.5.15

Directions:
Next to Six Hills roundabout, near junction 7 of the A1 (M).

I would guess that parking is tricky here during the ‘working week’ but as it was evening time on a bank holiday Sunday I had no such problems. We parked in the empty Kings Court office complex.

I am pleased to say the cycle tracks across the top of the barrows previously reported are no longer there. All six barrows are fully grassed over although four of them are suffering from rabbit burrow damage – one in particular. I know rabbits are cute but something needs to be done here before too much damage occurs.

The barrows are very impressive, approximately 3 metres high x 10 metres across. Most have the tell-tale depression in the top of earlier excavations.

It is amazing that the barrows have survived. This is a very built up ‘modernized’ area with office blocks, DIY centres and duel carrigeways. we should be thankful that planning permission now (for all its faults) offers far more protection than it ever used to, otherwise these fine monuments would be but a memory.

I wonder what the builders would think if they were transported forward in time until today and see how much has changed – yet their monuments remain.

This is an excellent site to visit although I would suggest a weekend / evening visit when parking will be a lot easier.

Visited 23.5.15

Directions:
Come off the A404 at junction 9B. Take first exit at small roundabout onto Henley Road (north). Then take the first right into Pinkey Road and after 200m you will find a N.T. car park on the left (Pinkey Wood). Park here, walk back to Henley road and turn right (north). You will then come to a turning on the left which goes under the A404. Immediately the other side is a bridleway on the left. Take this and continue walking south along a path which runs parallel to the A404. Take any of the paths to the right which will lead you to the site.

Although this may sound long and complicated it is only a 15 minute walk from the car park to Robin’s place. (Although I doubt the famous Mr Hood ever set foot here!).

I was initially attracted to this site as it appears on the AA road atlas map. How the AA chooses which sites to put on their map is another mystery altogether! Although I am surprised these are the first field notes to appear.

The site is easy to miss and if the ferns were any higher of the N.T. hadn’t erected a handy sign I would have probably walked straight past it.

There is not a lot to see. A low circular bank at most 1m high (most of it less than this) and a shallow ditch.

If you are looking for somewhere to have a nice walk through the trees then this is a good place to come (it is very pretty) but if it is substantial prehistoric remains you are after then this isn’t! Still, at least it is still with us so that can’t be such a bad thing :)