Visited 14.1.12
COFLEIN states there are four Barrows here. They may be on the O/S map and they may be here is spirit but they are certainly not here in body. The entire field is deeply ploughed and is a sea of sticky earth and mud. I am sorry to report that these Barrows are now completely ploughed out.
15/01/2012 – Last RSC of a great day out. Parking is a bit tricky for this one. Space for a car at start of track to circle (NJ 9561 4704). We headed NE up the track to information board then SE through wood to circle. Aikey Brae is a must see. The size of the stones and setting get me every time. I love the way you emerge from the dark of wood onto the circle. Great view from here as well.
15/01/2012 – 4th RSC out of the 5 we visited today. Normally just go to 1 or 2 places on a day out but the weather was just so nice. Cold, clear and sunny skies. Parked at start of track to Gaval farm (NJ 9802 5155). Not much left of this one. The one remaining stone can to found in the field south of parking. Access could be a problem with crop or livestock, OK today. Nice countryside round here. Don’t think this would make many people’s top 10 recumbent stone circles though. Reminds me of the Hole Stone near Wigtown but without the hole.
15/01/2012 – Parked at NJ 9384 5488. We took the signposted path south under old railway line, across a stream then followed path between fields to circle (ground was frozen so not muddy today). Nice stroll and not too far. Couple of stiles to get over though. Restored RSC but well done. I like Buchan ring RSCs and I think this one has a real peaceful atmosphere. Picnic table next to circle comes in handy if you want to stay awhile. Cold today, no wind and a nice pale blue winter sky.
anyone know anything about the ‘standing stone’ just over the wall, about 100m north of circle? Guess it’s modern?
Visited 14.1.12
After visiting Nash Point Promontory Fort I stepped over the concrete stile and headed north along the cliff top towards these barrows. You first cross a flat field and then come to a wooden stile. Over the stile and you will see in the next field a stone wall cutting the field in half. The first Barrow (Barrow 3) is to the right, near the hedgerow, this side of the wall – the other two (Barrows 1 and 2) in a similar position on the other side of the wall. All 3 are easy to access although you do have to come off the permissive footpath to do so.
Barrow 3 – The most ploughed out of the 3 Barrows, measuring about 20 metres across and only 0.3 metres in height. Easy to miss if you weren’t looking specifically for it.
Barrow 2 – The smallest of the trio and again easy to miss. Approximately 0.5 metres in height x 5 metres across. Very close to Barrow 1.
Barrow 1 – The best of the three Barrows. Easy to spot. This one is again about 0.5 metres in height and 10 metres across.
All 3 Barrows are grass covered with no sign of any stones sticking out.
Needless to say there are great coastal views to be had all along the headland.
Visited 14.1.12
My first ‘old stoning’ of the year – and a let down at that.
I was planning to re-visit the wonderful Stoney Littleton Long Barrow but Dafydd was displaying the ‘terrible twos’ (despite being nearly 4) and we had to put the trip on hold. (No doubt some of you reading this will have a knowing smile on your face!) By mid-morning I needed to get out so I went alone to visit s few sites not too far from home. The weather was dry and bright but the wind a biting January cold.
I parked on the verge near Somerset Farm and squelched through the muddy field in search of the two Barrows shown on the O/S map. The fields are clearing used for crop and despite my best efforts I was unable to identify the Barrows. Perhaps they have been completely ploughed away?
COFLEIN states: ‘A pair of Bronze Age Barrows c100 metres apart. Irregular shaped 6.5 m x 8m x 0.4m high’ – 2002.
Visited 14.1.12
Although the sign read ‘Private Road – £1.50 all day parking’ I was confident there wouldn’t be any ticket collectors out this time of year. I was right although I was not alone – the car park on the headland was packed and I only just managed to find a place to park. This is clearly a poplar place to come on a cold by dry winter’s afternoon.
I had been here before to visit the lighthouse (well worth a visit) but this was the first time I could have had a proper close up look at the Promontory Fort. The previous undergrowth has now largely been removed.
The information board in the car park gives no mention of the Fort or the nearby Barrows.
I took the rough ‘path’ down from the car park, across a small wooden bridge, and up the steep incline towards the Fort. Luckily there are foot holds worn into the side of the slope so walking up wasn’t too difficult.
When I reached the top I was pleasantly surprised by how well preserved the defences were. I counted 4 sets of ditches ramparts – the outer rampart being about 1 metre high with the inner 3 about 2 metres high. The site isn’t that large although no doubt a large area has since been lost to coastal erosion. A bird of prey hovered silently only about 6 ft of the ground above the ramparts – a lovely sight.
Well worth a visit when in the area. One word of warning though – the cliffs are sheer and not fenced off. If coming with little ones you will need to be very careful.
The warning signs are there for a reason!
Jan 2012. Since I last visited this site, it has become quite overgrown and the 3rd stone was almost impossible to see beneath the brambles. A shame, because it makes it difficult to get a real sense of the site and impossible to photgraph!
Hopefully they will be cleared again soon and the site will open itself up to us, as it really is quite beautiful when you can see all 3 stones exposed.
Lots of other interesting stones lying around – makes you wonder why they stopped at 3 and didn’t shift some more into position.......
Visited January 2012. It is very hard to get a real feel for this site due to the tree cover but it is very, very flat at the top and there are stones littered everywhere. I have enver visited in summer but assume it is even harder to make any real sense of the remains. What is astonishing though are the views from here – across to Ingleborough in the east and Morecambe Bay & the Lakeland hills to the west.
There are a number of routes to the top, but the easiest and most interesting is through Strickland Woods (as described below by Hob). Definitely worth a walk up here on a clear, sunny day.
Old Sarum could be considered as similar to Avebury in terms of its scale, both in its earthly size and its mysterious Lay-Line energy. It has also witnessed many events that have created the kingdom(s) we live in today.
The site is run by English Heritage, but it is only the inner section that the visitor is required to pay an entrance fee (£3.70) to experience. The site is a jewel-in-the-crown kinda place and you should check the EH Old Sarum events page before you decide to visit. The bulk of the site is open 24-7 and public foot paths allow access to all the Neolithic outer banks and ditches, just like Avebury. Parking in the car park is free, although you may be asked to move on at dusk. Boo. There is a campsite next to Old Sarum at Hudson’s Field, Castle Road, Salisbury SP1 3RR (01722-320713)
An excellent network of cycle tracks lead directly from Salisbury City centre, the Railway Station and the Coach parks. These connect up to many of the monuments that make up the Stonehenge sacred landscape and the WHS.
The site is connected to the almost forgotten hillfort of Ogbury, a little further up the majestic Avon valley. This waterway and ancient highway is itself scattered with Tumuli all the way up to Vespasians Camp and the Stonehenge WHS. Although some like the Little Down Barrows at Great Durnford take a bit of finding among the vegetation, others such as the Lake House Barrow have been updated in more recent times.
15/01/2012 – Parked car at entrance to Mid Cloch Forbie farm (NJ 7965 5869). Through gate and walked SE down field edge to stone. Just the recumbent left (the Gray Stone). Nice stone and the views from it are great, Ben Rinnes and beyond. No voice from under the stone for me either but I did say hello just in case.
15/01/2012 – Cold again this morning, roads a bit icy. Parked in same passing place as Drew (NJ 8824 4510) and a short stroll to circle. Just two stones left, recumbent and one flanker. Both fantastic, white quartz. This one more than any of the other RSCs I would love to have seen complete. Winter sun looked good on the stones. Look out for OS benchmark on recumbent. No access problems.
Passed by 15.1.12
Had no real intention to photograph this barrow today as I have passed Penbedw countless times as it is local, but today I passed it and had to turned around at Nannerch and come back. With the brilliant light and shade of a cold but bright day I could see a feature not noticed before. From my vantage point at the roadside you can clearly see what must be the distubance evidence from the 1860 excavation (Aubrey Burl “A Guide to the Stone Circles of Britain..“).
In the picture (also posted today) you can see a ‘trench’ dug into the barrow, unless of course this is an original entrance feature?
The round barrow lies in the same pasture as Penbedw Stone Circle which has doubted history in some people’s view. However, the barrow was excavated in 1860 when “..large stones and urn sherds” were found.
Fieldnotes – Early Aug 2011
If you can imagine Woodhenge without any concrete posts or The Sanctuary without any blocks, then you can image this site. Oh, and the only plan you get is on the O.S. map, and just the description of the site as below.
Although this site sits just inside the MOD training area, it is very easy to reach and parking is not a problem. I found the wooded area next to the henge to be very tranquil on the day of my visit which pleased me somewhat.
Go armed with the O.S. Explorer 131 map. The whole area is littered with dozens of TMA sites to explore and the old Marlborough coach road which runs next to the site can be driven down when training exercises are not being held.
Be warned, even though you might have the legal right to drive your vehicle down these ancient trackways, they are rough and your vehicle might not be suitable. You might have saved yourself on car insurance but don’t get epic out here and put it to the test.
These days it’s not common for a village to still have a functioning pub but the one that use to serve the old coach road is still doing a good trade in accommodation 200 years on. The coach road may be just a track but the Crown Hotel, Everleigh SN8 3EY (01264 850939) keeps on providing a good bed in old wild Wiltshire. As their website says “The Crown Hotel has now been restyled into new Rhodesian based Hotel and Village pub, yet still keeping the traditional English heritage and history, also known as “The Flame Lily Hotel”.
See also – https://www.everleigh.org/the-crown-hotel/
https://totallyhaunted.co.uk/the-crown-hotel.php
If you come with a couple of mountain bikes, you could explore all the way down the Devils Ditch or cut out to Hot Cross bun for a day. The area around Sidbury Hill contains mucho TMA.
This natural menhir (“adopted"menhir as Mr. Carmelo Prestipino said) is standing right in the middle of Ligurian gulf (as you can check in the map), and this says much already. Is seated in a very sacred area where there are springs called “Holy water” (Acquasanta), very close to Issel’s Stone, Giutte’s Long Cairn and the first Kelly’s Rock. It was discovered already four years ago by my friend Angela but only now I show it and share it over here...(silly me). Ciao !
Visited Early Aug 2011
The O.S. map shows this flat topped, ditched bowl barrow as having a overall diameter of c50m, although it doesn’t fell that significant when your standing next to it, but it is positioned at the top of a nice hill. Surrounded by a planted bank of trees it makes a welcome shady spot on a hot summer’s day.
The “compound” next to the barrow, made from shipping containers, is part of the current use the training area is now being put to. This is a major position on the military sat-nav for Warthog convoys and Apache attack helicopters.
Below this barrow, just inside the military danger area lays the source of the Nine Mile River and the old Marlborough coach road.
This morning I set off bright and early to meet up with a small group of Ramblers – I haven’t been out with them for a while but today’s walk was up around Uffington White Horse (one of my very favourite places). The whole hill was covered in frost as we up walked towards it from the car park, everything shimmered in the winter sunlight.
We crossed the Ridgeway heading apparently for the Lambourne Gallops. Mist covered downland lay to our right and although I had my camera with me I made no attempt to use it. A curlew called and then skylarks ... there was nowhere I would rather have been.
Then came the surprise – as we came up towards the Gallops our walk leader mentioned Idlebush Barrow – I saw two barrows, the first being what looked like the remains of a long barrow. Then a well preserved disc/saucer barrow came into view. Again I made no attempt to photograph it as these sort of barrows only seem to show up well in aerial shots.
I recommend seeing this barrow because of its proximity to Uffington and the brilliant views of the downs on the walk over to it.
14/01/2012 – Morven can be climbed from a few starting points. Today we started at NJ 4186 0582. After visiting Blue Cairn of Ladieswell stone circle we continued on north then west through the wood. Followed track to Preas Whin (great eagle sculpture here) then south up hill to summit. Cold today but very little wind and clear sky. Very good views from cairn. Snow lying but not deep. Headed east down the hill to Little Cairn then north back to wood.
14/01/2012 – We left car at NJ 4186 0582. Walked west then north past Ladieswell cottage. The circle is 400m further on, just off to the left of the track. Last time here the RSC was nearly hidden with bracken. Today it was easier to see with everything died back. Very cold start (-5). This is an odd circle with a recumbent but no flankers. The recumbent seems to lay below the cairn on the slope of the hill. The rest of the stones are nearly lost in the cairn. Lovely setting in a wood. Winter visit (if possible) is better for this one, due to the amount of bracken.
January 14, 2012
On a brilliant cold and frosty morning blessed with non-stop sunshine, I visited Cairnfauld (Crossroads) stone circle, just off the A957, 2 km south of the River Dee. With the aid of a monopod to hold my camera 3 metres above my head, it was possible to obtain this expansive view showing the 4 stones that remain visible.
At the extreme left of the photo is the north stone. In the centre foreground is the southwest stone, with, prostrate beside it, the displaced west stone that used to stand on the arc of the circle, a short distance off camera, to the left of the scene.
Photographs on Canmore show the latter, in situ, around a century ago.
Buried in the consumption dyke, on the other side of the gate, can be seen the south stone, leaning over at an angle. Farther along the dyke, presumably buried within it, is the fifth stone shown in Cole’s sketch. The dyke has clearly gained hugely in field clearance during the 20th century and I had no luck tracing the 5th stone. If there, it is now buried under boulders that have been heaped on top of it, somewhere close to the prominent tree growing out of the dyke.
This was the first time I had visited so early in the year, when crops and vegetation no longer obscured much of the scene.
January 14, 2012
On a fantastic, sunny, cloudless, frosty morning, I decided on the spur of the moment to take a trip out and visit the stone circles around the village of Banchory. In particular, following the revelations in Great Crowns of Stone, I was keen to visit the remaining stones of the long-destroyed Tilquhillie Stone Circle.
Apparently, this was situated somewhere in one of the two fields southeast of Tilquhillie Castle (itself just over 2 km SE of Banchory). In a dyke running northeast-southwest between the two fields is a huge block known as the Druid Stone, now believed to be the recumbent stone of the former circle.
The second stone, a putative flanker, stands in a gap in a dyke close to the castle. Standing in front of the gate to the castle you will find a field gate to your left. Enter the field, take a few steps, then turn to your right. You will see the dyke just a few metres ahead, as in the photograph.
For more details about the history of this circle, see the RCAHMS link below.
07/01/2012 – Not much to add apart from there is new fencing and gates on the road north that gives access to the hill. Parking is now tricky where the track meets the road near Dikehead Cottages, looks like they are getting ready to build something so access to track could be a problem in future. We parked further east on the road at NJ 5976 1419. Walked south up track between fields then SW up hill through broom. Bit hard work in places. West to circle. A lot of cows here today but luckily they slowly moved away from the circle so we could approach. This RSC is different. The recumbent and the rest of the stones are quite small and a lovely dark pink colour. Great view of Bennachie and surrounding area. Well worth a visit.
Following a morning’s (11/9/11) tough walkabout in the vicinity of the Afon Arban, south of Claerwen (no megaliths, but some things need to be done), the intriguing ‘trio’ of cairns depicted by our OS friends upon Carn Gafallt finally make it to the top of ‘the list’. ‘Lucky us’, I can almost hear the resident spirits of the ancestors groan. Or is that just a combination of an overactive mind and the admittedly strong wind playing the usual tricks? Yeah, let’s go with the latter.
So, no evidence for any ‘insubstantial’ friends, then, although the adjective could well be employed to describe the mind – for want of a better word – of a muppet farmer who stops his land rover, winds down the window and attempts to stare me down as I make a three point turn near Blaen-y-cwm. What is it with these people? Banjo duels at dawn...... Needless to say us TMA-ers are made of sterner stuff... and I won’t back down, particularly since I haven’t a clue what I’ve supposed to have done wrong. But there you are. For the record (Tom Petty comes to mind, by the way) a car can be parked, without causing any obstruction, near a corrugated iron-roofed barn at approx SN940641, a little west(ish) of Talwrn farm. Take the public footpath opposite (north), which veers left, then right to arc through the woodland of Coed Bwlch-glas. A little beyond, the cairns stand, unseen, surmounting the steep hillside above to the left. The official route exits the trees before doubling back along the crest of the ridge to the north-west... assuming an encounter with a moron farmer doesn’t encourage the traveller to undertake any deviations, that is.
Whatever route you take to the substantial cairns, however, be sure to schedule an audience if you are in the area.... since the setting of the monuments is class, if not classic. No, I reckon it is the latter, come to think of it. Incidentally Coflein reckons there may actually be five, not three cairns upon this windswept ridge, possibly once connected by a drystone wall, of all things? Apparently some of the cairns are co-joined, although the ravaged interiors and deep heather made this unclear. Well, at least to me. However never let it be said that the ancient occupants of Wales were anything but original. Idiosyncratic, too, particularly the manner in which the summit of Carn Gafallt, rising some way to the north-west, is ignored in favour of linear escarpment edge placement. Yeah, although the highest point was clearly not of specific importance, it is very difficult to believe that the vistas to be had from the site were not. Look to almost every point of the compass (save the north, where the bulk of the hillside obscures, albeit with numerous natural ‘mounds’ in evidence) and hilltops bearing Bronze Age cairns stand as far as the eye can see..... Y Gamriw to the south (must revisit), Drum Ddu to south-east, Drygarn Fawr and Gorllwyn to south-east... even a stone row upon Rhos-y-Gelynnen to west.
Why, there’s even an apparent stone circle upon Allt Goch across the valley. Guess I’ll need to come back, then?
Visited 31st December 2011
The sun is out, turning the sky blue as we arrive at this pair of dolmens. Again another site I’ve not visited before, despite many past visits to Anglesey, and this was top of my list to see this time. Unlike nearby Ty Newydd the dolmen here now stands proud alone, I’m so glad the ridiculous wooden truss had been removed. I squeezed under the capstone of the southern chamber, trying not to get my feet too wet in the huge pool of water which had puddled in there, and putting my faith to the test that that wooden truss really was never necessary.
Two dolmens for the price of one can’t be bad, although the northern chamber is now just a jumble of stones. It feels like the dolmen of elemental water here, being near to a lake and standing on very waterlogged ground, but it has a most warm and welcoming atmosphere, and not just due to the improving weather!
I’m not sure if this would have been one large mound with two chambers, or just two neighbouring smaller cairns, without archaeological evidence its difficult to say. The vague construction date (according to the sign it was built some time within a 2,000 year period!) also may allow for the possibility of it being a multi phase monument.
It’s certainly a special dolmen in fine pristine surroundings, its just a shame the trees screen the view of the nearby lake. Still a great place to spend some time on a lovely New Year’s Eve.
Visited 2nd January 2012
Stopped off to see this beauty on the way back from our New Years stay on Anglesey.
Not as difficult to park as I feared, there is a small layby (well probably a passing place!) up the lane, but we took Postman’s advice and parked at the field gateway.
The field was extremely soggy after the recent rains and whilst everyone else took the sensible option and photographed the stone from the gateway I picked my way ankle deep in mud into the field. (Well its not a proper visit if you can’t hug the stone!)
Up close the stone is impressively tall and its elevated position looks out like a sentinel towards Snowdonia just across the straits. The wind was whipping up as I huddled up against the stone to avoid some of the bitter chill, and as the clouds scudded across the sky the sun sent fingers of light lancing down over the mountains. It’s a fantastic setting for a stone, and well worth the visit, I didn’t want to leave.
