Latest Fieldnotes

This small barrow of earth and stones, 7m x7m and below 0.5m in height, lies by the side of an ancient trackway. It has outstanding views through the valley to the hillfort/enclosure at Carl Wark.
Atop the barrow is a wayside cross base known as the Baptism Stone or Christening Stone.

‘Visited’ 3.9.11

Situated to the south of Leominster, off a minor road from the B4361

This was a bit of a strange one!
What looked like a straightforward visit to a Hillfort turned out to be nothing of the sort.
We drove north through the hamlet of Upper Hill and then turned right along the (private?) road leading to Gattertop Farm. There was then a turning on the left leading up towards the Hillfort. This was when the fun began.

The lane was little more than the width of the car and we soon approached a formidable large double gate which was clearly sending out the message of ‘keep away – private’. This was confirmed by a number of ‘private property’ / ‘no parking’ / ‘access only to paths by foot or horseback’ signs along the road!

Unfortunately there was nowhere to turn around so I contemplated having to reverse all the way back down the hill. At this point Karen got ‘twitchy’ and pointed to what looked like a camera pointed at us. Then the gates suddenly opened – it was a sensor not a camera. I thought ‘sod it’ and decided to chance my arm to carried on driving forward – Karen was not impressed.

We drove up through the western defences and a ditch/ramparts approximately 3 metres high was clearly visible either side of the road. Once we arrived near the very posh house we were in the centre of the Hillfort. Now, I am sure that most of us have visited a Hillfort where the centre of the site is a large grass field. In this case it was a large ‘bowling green’ type lawn – complete with golf buggies to get around!!

The bank of the Hillfort surrounded the ‘lawn’ and the whole circumference was covered in trees. Fancy living inside a Hillfort – how cool is that?!!

I must admit that at this point I started to get ‘twitchy’ as well and decided that discretion was the better part of valour and turned around and headed back down the hill. Then we approached the now closed gates! I had visions of having to walk up the house to ask to be let out – and all the explaining that would involve. Luckily the sensor worked this side as well and the gates swung open – phew!

We were soon back on a public road and could at last relax.

Looking at the O/S map the safest way to visit would be via the public footpath from Ivington Park. This looks as though you would be able to see the western defences although everything else looks to be private. Good luck!

Visited 3.9.11

I was really looking forward to visiting this stone and was not disappointed.
When I arrived it was pouring with rain and I was pleased to find that the church was open.
As you go through the door the stone is immediately in front of you. It stands about 7 ft high and has a large cross carved on both sides of the stone – the entire length. One of the crosses is fairly plain whilst the other is ornate. Very impressive.
A small information board stands next to the stone. It states that the stone weighs 3.5 tonnes.

The church itself is pretty and worth a look around. It boasts a pre-Norman font which is certainly worth a look. I was able to pick up a leaflet and post card of the church and put the money in the honesty box. I do like honesty boxes, gives me hope that there are still good people about and nice places to live. An honesty box wouldn’t last very long where I live!

On the way back to the car I noticed one of the houses facing the church was having its garden landscaped. What has been put up in the middle of the garden? Yup – a standing stone! This brought a smile to my face as I pointed it out to Karen. I am in the process of putting one up in my garden – I told her there were other ‘like minded’ people about!

Ancient or not, this is a stone definitely worth a visit. Access needless to say is very easy.

Visited 3.9.11

Directions: Take the A49 south of Hereford and then the B4399 Holme Lacey road. Follow the signs to Dinedor and as you get closed to the site the signs will start to show Dinedor Camp. Keep on the road and you will eventually reaching the small parking area at the top of the hill. It seems to take ages from the main road but keep the faith and you will get there!

There are steps from the car park up to the Hillfort and an information board. I carried Sophie whilst Dafydd trooped behind, investigating all around him. Karen decided to stay near the car and pick blackberries.

This is clearly a popular site with locals judging by the remains of fires I saw. There is not a lot I could make out in terns of banks/ditches etc – it is basically a tree covered hill with a small grassy area in the middle. Not much in the way of views either because of the trees.

An easy site to access although not much to recommend a visit.

On the west side of Moel Llefn is a natural hollow. I have been meaning to go up there to investigate for a very long time. I am very glad that I did.
After quite a hard climb up the side of the hill passing a couple of stoney areas that look suspiciously like small cairns I arrived at the flat area just in front of the hollow. What a surprise.

There, nestled into bottom of the hollow, sheltered on 3 sides by the natural banks is a solitary hut circle. Brilliantly preserved.

It was a very still bright day, and while I was investigating the hut circle two crows flew over head. And because of the bowl shape of the hollow every movement of their wings was amplified. It was quite eerie. But very atmospheric.
It was so sheltered up there. I can understand why they would have settled there. Views down across the valley, and all the way across to Moelfra on Ynys Mon.
Just inside the entrance on the east of the circle is a feature that I found interesting. It is a raised area with a large flat stone to the rear. The front of the semi circular raised area is faced with stones.
In the centre of the hut circle is a sunken area that could possibly have been a hearth.

Just a note on the photos. I was fiddling around with the camera pressing lots of different buttons and ended up with photos that look as though they are post apocalyptic. However they do show the contrast between the stones and grass very well.

Ive been to the nearby Robin Hoods stride and stone circle so many times I dont know how many, yet ive not been here till now, and by the looks of it hardly anyone does, why?
We drove slowly and carefully down the driveway, and parked by the farm just as the lady of the house was coming out. We asked if it would be ok if went and saw the earthworks, she replied that the cows had just gone out, I looked both sheepishly and pleadingly and asked if that was a no, she paused and asked how many are you, just me and the boy . Ok then but be careful.
Maybe I was beginning to see why no one comes here.
We walked round the corner towards the cow shed and a few were still hanging around, one of them mooed at us, Eric mooed back.
The earth work is surmounted by a wall all the way round, and rubble lies on and in the ground all the way round. Cows mooed
The farm makes it difficult to properly appreciate the enclosure, it has destroyed the south eastern arc, but what remains is quite impressive and as youd expect the views are tremendous.
Cows were still mooeing
On our way back to the car, the farm dog alerted the farm lady we were back I looked at her kindly and said a big thankyou, she then thanked me for asking, and I thanked her for thanking me.
Couldnt hear the cows from this side of the farm.
Dont know why more people dont come here.

Its only a five minute walk from the Andle stone, and its a tiny price to pay for such a nice little circle in such a beautiful place.
Eric spent most of the time trying to climb the trees with pagan stuff hanging from them, then he took to throwing sticks in the air, a mad kind of Russian roulette, of all my pictures taken today the most blurry ones were taken here, it’s a strange place this one.
But ever so......... long word beginning with B

And its not just a stone circle, it looks like it has the strange quality of being a cairn with a stone circle built into it, the information board is helpful, whilst not telling very much at all.
It really is very nice here, on this my third visit I didnt see anyone else again, but there is always evidence that other people do come here.
Did I say how beautiful it is here ?

Easily visible from the minor road that you would use for the Nine ladies stone circle on Stanton moor, and plenty of room for parking closeby too.
You cant go to a burial chamber without going in, and you cant go to Stonehenge without wanting to jump the velvet ropes to hug a stone, and you cant go to the Andle stone without climbing on top of it.
It is one of the best things in the world, sitting up here with my son Eric, it’s a beautiful day, nice and warm.
The Red Arrows were at Chatsworth house on the way here, and for a small while we had the best seats in the house, but we obviously had got there a tad too late as they all shot off as we sat down, we both agreed they are totally awesome.
Eric went up first after a bit of a bunk, but he got to the top and bottled it, so I climbed up after him to help and guide him up which got him to the top if a 9yr old can do it anyone can, almost.
Usually graffiti would tick me off a bit, but right now, today I liked it. The “Michelle I love you, Feb 14 2002, really seemed to jump out at me not only because it took up the most room but, it must have taken all day, he must really have loved her, I wonder if she was there when he did it, did she ever see it, what did she think. Sometimes life isnt about natural beauty, incredible as it is, but about people living alongside other people, these ancient sites are after all not about nature but about us, the stone might always be there, but we wont.

Do not come here without going to Doll tor stone circle just a five minute walk away, it is a crime punishable by.... well what alse , stoning.

This is not the recorded marked rock by the oil tank but one I discovered about 7 years ago a in the field to the south of the farm . Small cups again ,also in a rosette but this is 25 miles and over two ranges of hills from the similar Corrody burn example . An interesting story about this is that a few weeks ago I came across a pic of it taken from the now defunct BRAC website and used to illustrate a very poorly argued idea for rock art motifs being maps of the local monuments . The pic had no caption and was supposed to be an example of a representation of a grouping of barrows .When I asked the unfortunate who had come up with the idea he had no idea where the rock was situated , what it was called or where the pic came from ,yet he had decided that it “represented ” a grouping of barrows in the area . Needless to say there are no barrows in the area and he missed the other markings on the rock .meaning there would have been an even greater number of “non” barrows in the area . Fwiw some of the cups are aligned on the cardinal points and there is a sun roll seen from the stone over the nearby Schiehallion .

Corsica’s “show site” and signposted from miles and miles away (erratically, of course!).
Entrance fee, gift shop, museum, refreshments etc.
A path from the entrance gate takes you past the museum to a paved square where Filitosa V (3m tall, fabulously carved) has been re-erected. There’s a boundary wall before the main part of the site, with a barrow to the left and the central monument ahead. Now, we’d become aware of new age twinkly pan-pipe type music as we entered the complex, and thought it was coming from the museum – but no, piped all round the site. And this was not the only unwelcome modern feature – rather than having info boards placed at a distance from the important features of the complex, there are metal obelisks set in concrete providing audio on demand in a variety of languages. Oh!
The official website gives a good description of the site, so I won’t ...
Crossing the stream, the muzak was finally drowned out by the croaking of frogs and the speakers had not been continued on the other side where 5 impressive stones have been re-sited, with a quarry beyond.
Phallic stones – 10/10
Atmosphere – 2/10
Take earplugs or your own audio distraction to enjoy the complex fully!

Two small cups within an occulus and another at the centre of the arcs .

More small cups .

Some examples of small cup marks ,in one of the examples they are small enough to be considered large pick marks .

Cholesbury Camp is another fine Buckinghamshire Iron Age enclosure... technically a ‘plateau fort’, as opposed to ‘hillfort’... which has unfortunately been damaged by the building of a malignant church and village hall in the southern quadrant. Happily, however, the malevolent atmosphere I found at the similarly defaced, and not too distant, West Wycombe Hill is absent here. Quite the contrary, the surviving three quarters of the ancient ramparts being a joy to behold this bright morning, sunlight interacting with the fine beech trees to send a myriad shadows snaking across the ditch which separates the mainly bi-vallate defences (there would appear to be an additional bank and ditch to west and south-east, if I not mistaken?).... not to mention everywhere else, for that matter. Nice. Yeah, although the initial south-eastern arc is heavy overgrown with vegetation, the remainder of the enceinte is as aesthetically pleasing to the eye today as perhaps it is possible for any ancient fortification to be? Or to have a right to be.

The constantly changing light, and therefore colour, has my artistic consciousness – such as it is – reeling as I try to capture something of the wonder laid out before me upon the digital SLR for posterity. However as I try to do so, the archetypal ‘Tim, Nice-But-Dim’ – walking with his children, as one does – stops and eyes me curiously. Suspiciously, even... ‘what are you photographing?’ he enquires. To his credit, and before I can deliver a devastatingly acerbic ‘Morrissey-esque’ retort, he answers his own question. ‘Ah, the hillfort. I see. Jolly good’. Lucky he did so, actually, since I doubt if the aforementioned former Smiths front man would have approved of my rather feeble prospective witticism. Such is the positive vibe at Cholesbury today that everything is right with the world for a while. Can’t even think of a sarcastic comment to defend myself with...

The ‘fort is easily located within the environs of the chocolate box village. Simply head for the Village Hall – making sure you keep an eye out for the many cyclists who flock to the area at weekends (or so it would appear) – and advance up the church driveway situated to its left, from where paths access the ramparts. The interior of the enclosure is now the site of equestrian activity. But I can deal with that. Hey, I can deal with any thing at Cholesbury.

I came across this long barrow today more by accident than design. Was in the Stroud/Selsley area to look at Pre-Raphaelite stained glass, approaching the village of Selsley from across the Common. What a lovely place – open unfenced common land (how rare is that) with wonderful views over the Stroud Valley. The first day of September and the sun was shining.

The long barrow had a couple of families picnicing on it today, flying kites and running around. I pushed any proprietorial thoughts away and refrained from taking all but just one photograph. As with most of the Gloucestershire long barrows there are stunning views to be had; in this case across the valley, towards the river Severn. The Severn could be clearly seen today along with the hills beyond (just a little haze). The 55 metre long barrow dips in the middle as so many of them do as a result of past excavations. Today I left it to the children playing on its slopes but will go back another time to take a closer look.

Visited 27.8.11

Following a pleasant couple of hours in the picturesque town of Broadway we headed south to a nearby Hillfort I had spotted on the O/S map. Taking a minor road towards the Buckland Hotel (posh) we continued along a narrow lane as far as Burhill Farm. We decided to play safe and park here as we didn’t know how good (or bad) the lane would become? As it happens the lane was fine and we could have driven all the way to the top of the hill where there is room to park in front of a field gate. It was only a 10 minute walk.
Once at the top of the hill, the lane goes sharp to the right but I headed to the left along the Cotswold Way – well marked. Upon arriving at the site I was disappointed to find there was not a lot to see. All I could make out was one ‘rampart type’ mound approximately 10 metres long x 1 metre high. I cannot say for certain if this was all that is left of the otherwise ploughed out defences or something natural?

Although the site is easy to access there is little to recommend a visit, there wasn’t even much of a view to be had! Time to move on…….

Visited 27.8.11

Spotted this on the map when visiting the nearby Willersey Camp and Long Barrow.

I parked near the church in the village of Saintbury and followed the footpath through the churchyard and out the other side through the wooden gate. From here the path continued uphill, through a small wood and out into an open field.

Once in the field the Barrow is easily identifiable as a low grass covered mound approximately 0.5 metres high and 8 metres across.

The Barrow isn’t right on top of the hill, but near the top on the north facing slope. When visiting sites up and down the country I always try to think as to why a site was chosen. Sometimes it is obvious – often not. There is no doubt why this particular spot was chosen as the last resting place for someone no doubt important – the views to the north are simply wonderful. This is one of those sites which make what we do so worthwhile; I could feel all my cares fade away as I sat atop the Barrow and admired the vista in front of me. I could have stayed for a long time here but as ever I needed to head back to Karen and the children sat waiting patiently for me in the car.

I really enjoyed my visit here and felt ‘recharged’ by the experience. A site I would certainly recommend and access is easy as long as you are able to walk up a steep, muddy path through the woods. Top place.

Visited 27.8.11

This proved to be far more productive to look for than the older Long Barrow which (just about) survives in its centre – along with the golf course!
There is plenty of room to park in the golf club overflow car park which is handy.

Just north of the club house the road on the western side is wooded – this is where you need to be.

Make your way through the trees and you will see the very large ditch/rampart of the Hillfort – approximately 5 metres deep (the golf course is on the inner side. The area is heavily wooded and overgrown with brambles / bushes etc (plus a fair bit of litter) but it is certainly still impressive.

Due to the proximity of the golf course this was the only side of the Hillfort I investigated.

Walking back to the car I had a look at the other side of the road. There is a huge ditch on this side – perhaps 8 metres deep and very wide. I wonder if this is a further ditch/rampart or a result of road building?
If it is part of the Hillfort’s defences then that would mean the road runs on top of the outer rampart.

This rock is one a group of about 14 found over a few visits to the Rhynie area about five years ago .
Most are simple cup marks on dull granite and difficult to get decent enough pics ,this is one of the exceptions . Cups on the edge seems to be a favourite style in the NE. When I was digging this up the farmer and son arrived raging thinking I was ferreting but soon calmed down when they realised what they had on their on their land .

Visited 27.8.11

Parking is easy for this site – just park in the golf club car park!
(Karen wanted to park in the overflow car park so we weren’t so obvious!)

According to the O/S map the Long Barrow sits in the middle of the golf course just to the west of the club house. I didn’t want to risk being refused permission to visit so instead of asking at the club house I hopped over the small stone wall next to the road. It was then a case of walking with confidence past the golfers to the spot where the Long Barrow was supposed to be!

Unfortunately when I arrived at the spot there was nothing to see which was obviously a Long Barrow. As you would expect on a golf course there was plenty of ‘lumps and bumps’ but as I said, nothing which stood out. There were a couple of possible suspects amid the greens.

I didn’t want to chance my arm too much by hanging around and retraced my steps back to the road. It was then, from the road, that a largish, very low ‘mound’ could be made out just where the O/S map indicated. It is one of those sites where you actually see more from a distance rather than being up close.

All in all there is little to warrant a visit – unless you fancy a round of golf!

Visited 29.8.11

Directions: Just to the south east of the village of Fownhope, not far from Cherry Hill Camp Hillfort. Heading down the B4224 you will see a sign for Caplor Farm farmshop. Take this turning and there is plenty of room to park in the car park. (unfortunately the shop was closed when we arrived which was a shame as myself and Karen quite fancied a cuppa!)

From here the well signed public footpath leads you straight to the Hillfort. Once through a field of sheep it is a case of trudging up the steep muddy path leading through the trees up to the top. This is greatly helped by the 66 steps kindly provided.
Once at the top of the steps you will see an old barn. Turn right and you are there!

The Hillfort itself is not very big and has a sort of large ‘hole’ in it on the northern side – looks like a bit of quarrying at some point? There is no need for defences on the northern side due to the very steep incline. A fence runs all along this side of the site.
The bank surrounding the rest of the site is clear to see and it bears the trace of lots of feet walking along the top of the ramparts – a nice enough little walk.

This is definitely a place to visit at Christmas time as there was plenty of holly with berries in evidence as well as a large clump of mistletoe.
When arriving back at the car I tried to use the mistletoe’s ‘magic’ on Karen who quickly informed me that the ‘magic’ only worked at Christmas time!!

Visited 29.8.11

Taking the minor roads west from the village of Much Marcle (off the A449) you eventually arrive at the lane which runs immediately to the east of the Hillfort. (Passing a Cider Mill en route) There is room to park outside the field gates.

On the gates were signs stating ‘Danger – keep out’. Although quite what the ‘danger’ was I don’t know as all that was there was a grass field.
Up and over the gate and a quick reccie to see what could be seen of the Hillfort?

Initially it looked like not a lot, but then I spotted the tell-tale signs of an earthen bank to the north. It was only when I arrived at the small bank that I noticed that the field I was standing in was considerably higher than the surrounding fields. In fact it was the same height as the hedgerows! This left a drop on the other side of nearly 2 metres.
Looking around the rest of the field I could then see another raised bank to the west, near the trees.

Walking back to the car I also noticed that once again, the field was the same height at the hedgerow. It looked clear to me that the lane I was parked in runs along what were once the eastern defences. A nice little ‘discovery’.

Not a lot to see although access is very easy as long as you are prepared to risk the ‘danger’!

Boddington.... the name conjures up a couple of images in the Gladman mind, both rather striking. The gorgeous Melanie Sykes with a (lovely, if somewhat suggestive) mouth full of froth in those TV ads.... and Halton RAF camp, where the Mam C lived for a while in the 80’s with her thankfully long-since-ex-husband (incidentally there is a sign warning motorists of ‘troops and children crossing’. I kid you not). Of the two, the first is perhaps the most relevant to this rather splendid promontory fort, implying that one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, so to speak.

Approaching Halton upon the B4009, I take the minor road signposted ‘Wendover Woods’. So far, so good. Passing the golf course there is a sign for a ‘pay and display’ car park on the right. Needless to say I neglect to check the map (a disturbingly common occurence when visiting these semi-urban lowland sites – guess I should have learned by now) and consequently decide to park roadside and walk in... don’t get me wrong, I simply hate car parks at ancient sites... destroys the vibe. Anyway, just over a mile later I finally arrive at the gigantic – and overwhelmingly twee – car park, having been passed en-route by a myriad cars and decide... retrospectively... that it would probably have been better to ‘bite the bullet’ and join the procession. Yeah, there’s a cafe, adventure playground, barbecue area... even a free pamphlet – with map – explaining how Boddington Camp has been utilised as a ‘Fitness Trail’. My, I can hardly wait. No, that’s a lie. Let’s get this over with. ASAP.

I head south-west along the promontory and halt in dismay at the sight of a wooden weight lifting contraption beside what appears to be a stretch of Iron Age rampart... Yeah, it’s worse than I feared. Or am I just hopelessly out of touch? Hmm, the thought has occured. I check the map (finally!) and locate the rampart proper to the north-east of the site. It is heavily overgrown with vegetation, but much more substantial than I supposed. I force my way along the summit of the bank, sunlight streaming through the thick overhead canopy, and suddenly the vibe is all encompassing. Boddington Camp is seriously reclaimed by Nature. With a bit of help from the Forestry people, I guess. And that, I think, is what has saved it from it’s banal surroundings, like a Mayan temple isolated within the rain forest...

For me the defining arc of the defences is to the south-west, the inner bank and ditch very pronounced here and (relatively) easy to access. The south and south-eastern flanks are also impressive, albeit overcome with tall – very tall – summer grasses. The odd group of rambling punters wander noisily by, but none seem to give a monkey’s about this Iron Age gem rising aloof and silent above them. Assuming they even know it’s here. The views described in the previous posts are, to all intents and purposes, non existent now due to the foliage. But the sheer scale – the length of the enclosure, the height of the surviving banks – has taken me completely by surprise at Boddington. As they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover. Joggers may ‘jog’ around the perimeter, ‘mountain bikers’ may hurtle past doing their crazy thang and ramblers may simply ramble. But it would appear Boddington Camp itself is left to its own devices. Long may it continue, I say.

For at least twenty five years ive driven past this place at least five times a year, not knowing at all about the rock art, but being vaguely interested in the big motte looking mound, I was always on my way to or from somewhere else and there isnt any where good to park, so it was shelved as visit pending.
But it is maybe the closest rock art to where I live, or maybe its some place in the Peak district, either way, as soon as I knew of the rock art it went from visit pending to, I gotta get out there as quick as possible.
Bank holidays dont often coincide with having some money, so out I went with this place at the top of the list.
Driving past is different to it being your final destination, there is actually somewhere to park right next to the mount, with stiles, permissive footpaths and all. Watch out crossing over the road it gets very busy on August bank holiday monday, but theyre all going somewhere so you should have the place to yourself.
Owain Glyndwr has famous places all over North Wales from where he was married to where he lived. This is where he lived.
He couldnt have picked a prettier place, if we take out the railway track and make the road into a medieval trackway, it is a beautiful place. Standing on the flat topped mount, looking over a bend in the river Dee to the llantysilio mountains it would be easy to sit all afternoon watching the cars go past, or the occasional steam train from Llangolen.

From on top of the mount walk east about 120 yards parallel to the road, our view north to the river and mountains is now blocked by trees. but keep going till you reach a small copse of wool trees (sheeps wool that is) sitting in a moated area the cupmarked stone is on the other side.
It is not the only stone here, infact its the smallest stone in a row or arc of bigger stones making it look like its part of a bigger monument, it isnt, I read somewhere that they had all been moved here.
The cupmarked stone is maybe two feet long and one and a half foot wide, it has I think fourteen cupmarks on it.
Rock art being quite rare in Wales, it feels really out of place and as the stone is sufficently small enough to be carried, one cant help wondering whence it came. Also with it being on Royal grounds as it were is it part of some royal something or other, I hesitate in saying king making rituals. Damn I said it anyway.
Plus its always good to find some roack art where Tiompan hasnt been. Yaaay me!!!

Visited 29.8.11

Boy, did I take the hard way to access this site!

Directions: Take the B4224 north through the village of Fownhope and take the minor road on the right, at the junction, opposite the pub. A short way along this road you will see a public footpath sign on your left. This footpath takes you through the middle of the Hillfort.

Unfortunately I missed the sign post and ended up parking where the trees end to the east of the site. I figured, incorrectly, that all I would need to do is walk up the field and cut across, uphill, to the Hillfort. Sounds good in theory – not in practice!

Firstly, the fence between the field and the trees was head height and triple barbed wire! There would have been no way over this but luckily a tree had fallen and lay across the top of the fence. I clambered up onto the tree and (Tarzan like) balanced my way along the trunk, trying not to fall into the head height brambles either side of me!
Secondly, I was confronted by the near vertical side of the tree covered slope. This was not going to be easy. I literally had to clamber on all fours, pulling myself up from tree root to tree root. You would have to be mad to approach the Hillfort from this direction (say nothing’s best!)

I disturbed a bird of prey on the way up and watched it glide off into the distance – a wonderful sight.

Eventually I somehow managed to reach the top of the hill and was greeted by a woodland scene with little visible signs of any ‘lumps or bumps’. The whole of the site being covered in trees / bushes etc.
I then spotted the path running through the Hillfort and decided to follow it south, back towards the way I should have come in the first place!

When I reached the southern defences I was able to make out quite easily the single ditch/rampart running around the site. From the bottom of the ditch the bank was about 3 metres high – fairly well preserved. I was too knackered to check on the defences to the west and north. There was clearly no need for eastern defences!!
It was then a simple task of following the path down the hill, through the wooden ‘gate’ and out onto the road.

This site is actually easy to access as long as:
A – you are physically able to follow a steep muddy path
B – you don’t try to come the way I did!