Latest Fieldnotes

Mount Caburn means a lot to many people in the town of Lewes I think.
It was the nearest settlement of any size to the site that Lewes was eventually founded on by the Saxons and can be seen from much of the town.

The skyline of the hill from the town means that the ditch and bank of the fort seems to cut it off from the rest of the ridge on which it stands. The hill the fort was built upon is fairly distinctive anyway, being a dome with broad slopes sweeping down from it to the south, while it seems almost to be the head of a giant downland animal, the rest of the downland ridge that it forms part of trailing behind the hill to the north. This ridge is the only block of the South Downs that is not a part of the main ridge along which the South Downs Way runs, having been cut off from it by the Glynde Reach river, that you will see joining the river Ouse to the south west.

When you approach the fort from the north the ditch and bank are very prominent, but the part of the hill still inside the fort protrudes above it still, giving an impression of a round hat, or, one might say, a flattened Dalek’s head!

Once inside the fort one seems simply to be on a hill, as the whole ditch and bank becomes far less obvious. This is particularly true on the southern side, where the defences are far less spectacular. I have always been told this is because on this side any attacker would have had quite a climb first. I’m not entirely convinced though, as this does not take account of attackers circling from the northern side. For me, the steep hill suggests some erosion of the defences on this side, though I have no evidence for this either way.

In any case the view is very impressive for a hill that is not actually that high (150m above sea-level), particularly of the downland ridge to the south. Firle Beacon and Windover Hill, home to the Long Man of Wilmington, can also be seen to the south east.

The Flat Howes are a pair of round barrows on Black Brow, Sleights Moor. The barrows are just a ten minute walk across open heather moorland from the High Bride Stones.
The Howes are pretty typical examples of large North York Moors monuments. The northern barrow is slightly more interesting as it still has quite a few kerb stones still in situ. They are worth a look but are nothing too remarkable, until you consider two things.

Firstly, the views.
The views are stunning, you can see for almost the full length of the Esk Valley, from the coast in the east to Kildale and the source of the Esk in the west. The view also takes in all of the prominent prehistoric coastal features from Street House to Brow Moor and beyond. The view from the barrows also looks back over the vast expanse of moorland as far as the distant Tabular Hills. I have no doubts that this site was very carefully chosen by the prehistoric peoples of this area.

The second thing to consider is, that the Flat Howes mark the beginning of a chain of large moorland barrows which run across a high ridge for eight to ten miles.
A number of archaeologists have suggested that this and other moorland barrow chains may have formed the boundaries of specific moorland territories and it’s worth noting that part of this chain still forms a political boundary.
The barrows in this particular chain are Flat Howes, the Pen Howes, Breckon Howe, Sil Howe, Flass Brow, Robbed Howe, the Foster Howes, Ann Howe, Louven Howe, Lilla Howe, and the High and Low Woof Howes.
The Great Frank Elgee observed “the line then continues along Maw Rigg to another large barrow group”. He also noted that “the line skilfully picks its way through some very wet moorland. It is noticeable that the groups do not occur in this area but come in on its outskirts, where drier strata form the surface on Sleights Moor and Allon Tops and on Thompson’s and Maw Riggs.”

In my view, this chain could be almost considered as one single huge landscape feature. Once you are aware of the alignment it becomes very obvious. Don’t take my word for it, the area is very accessible by road. Get yourself there and check it out

Spent two very cold and very peaceful hours here this morning.
Only a couple of hikers wandered through in that time.
Sun shone through a ‘Turner’ sky, lighting up the snow covered tops of Skiddaw & her sisters.
Too cold for tourists, though I suppose having travelled 100 miles to get here, I am one of those.

My 4th visit, and can recommend turning up on a morning, and obviously out of season, if you want to just share this circle with the mountains & the sheep.

One of the best sites for scenery I’ve been to, and today was no exception (until the snow arrived, and I beat a hasty retreat).

A whole new meaning to the phrase ‘chilled out’ today.

Timing is everything with the North York Moors. In the summer, sites can be chest deep in Bracken, in the winter knee deep in snow or surrounded by great bogs. Greenland Howe is one such site. The last time I was up on this moor it was extremely foggy and as the Howe is off the track I decided to check out so of the more accessible barrows in the area. Yesterday everything seemed just right, the snow had more or less melted away on my local hills and it was a cold, crisp morning. When I crossed the Esk Valley and drove up the Blue Bank from Sleights I was a little surprised to see the moor still covered in a layer of fairly deep snow. One thing I forgot to take into account was that Sleights Moor is nearly 300 metres above sea level and extremely exposed on all sides.
I accessed the moor from the A169, there is a bridle path onto the moor just opposite the Grosmont turn off. The path is fairly straight forward until just past the low scary power lines, when the path splits in two. You should take neither branch and head out across the open moor in a roughly easterly direction using the distant beacon on the top of Brow Moor as your guide. The barrow is situated on the edge of the moor on a ridge overlooking farmland and the lovely Littlebeck Valley.
The barrow itself is pretty wrecked, the mound has gone and just a few of the kerb stones remain, what should draw you too this monument is the absolutely beautiful and intact cist. Stanhope White described it as the finest example of a cist on the North York Moors, I don’t think he was far wrong. The cist itself is approximately six feet by two feet and about three feet deep, which is a good size for any British cist. There is also a possible outlying stone roughly north north east of the barrow.
The views from the barrow are beautiful, to the North you can see along the valley to the coast and Whitby to the east is the Biller Howe and Brow Moor, to the west is the higher ground of Sleights Moor with it’s chain of barrows silhouetted on the horizon and to the south is the ridge formed by the igneous intrusion, the Cleveland Dyke.
If you look to the south you can just make out the stone on the Flass Brow mound, using my handy Ray Seton “Astronomical Signficance Indicator”, a wonderful field tool, I discovered that, when viewed from the barrow, the Flass Brow mound was in line with the winter solstice sunset.
Greenland Howe is well worth a visit especially if you combine it with a visit to some of the other prehistoric monuments in the area. This area is extremely rich in prehistoric sites, from rock art to cross ridge dykes, barrows, cairn fields and standing stones. There seems to be a roughly east-west progression of monuments across the landscape following the River Esk from the coast with addition of chains of monuments running along the north-south ridges following the tributaries to the River Esk.

[visited 02/06] This is a large ruined round cairn/barrow on the edge of the same escarpment as Nympsfield and Hetty Pegler’s Tump. Its a bit of a sad sight to be honest, given the massive hole in the middle, but is worth a look if you are in the neighbourhood. The views would have been awesome before the forest arrived...

It’s in the woods to the NW of Nympsfield long barrow. Starting at the long barrow, head away from the car park to about 10 metres from the corner of the grassy area. Now go into the woods and head along the edge of the escarpment straight to the barrow. Access is ok, but probably a bit rough terrain for a wheelchair.

NB. This site is of disputed antiquity.
Reported by Flint in TCWAAS 1960 vol 60 p201, but since dismissed as a cockpit. John Waterhouse includes it in the postscript to “The Stone Circles of Cumbria” saying “it does look very much like an early bronze age stone circle, and it would conveniently fill a gap in the distribution map of stone circles.”

This site is not particularly easy to find, even in winter when the vegetation is low. I managed to find it from the grid ref and a lot of mooching around in the heather. Here’re few pointers to make it a bit easier:

Park at the bottom of the fell lane at SD505978. Follow the lane up to the top out into the open pasture. Keep roughly the same distance away from the fence on your right as you head for the highest land. Come to the wall at the highest point where there is a very ruined stile. It is possible to cross over the wall here without damage to self or wall. Look for noticeable large rock to right, the circle is in the heather between you and the rock.

The site consists of about 20 low stones in a circle of approximately 20m diameter (according to Waterhouse but it felt smaller to me and I didn’t check it).

Despite the disputed antiquity of this site, I reckon it has the right ‘feel’ whatever that means, and the setting is perfect – a stunning panorama taking in the howgills, Morecambe Bay and the Langdales.

This is definitely one to check out before passing judgement.

POSSIBLE round barrow.

The tumulus on which the Church stands is of uncertain date and may have pre-Christian pagan associations. There is an Iron-age settlement in the village 0.5 mile to the north, and Roman coins have been found here in the churchyard. The chancel stands about central on the tumulus, with the tower alongside on the highest ground. Formerly many fine elms grew around the perimeter, these unfortunately all became victims of the Dutch elm desease.

More Here...

severnbeach.com/southglos/st_arilda_church.htm

[Source Church Flyer]

With only half a day to explore and a bitter wind to contend with... and no map or guidebook, I hope I can be excused for not finding any ancient sites! However I did drive past the Culverwell site on the way out to Portland Bill. It sits right beside the road, which was how I spotted it, with a sign saying middle stoneage site (or something along those lines). All I could see as I drove past were two B&Q sheds and a larger wooden construction that was obviously covering something. The site was not open and you would have to walk to it from the car park at Portland Bill (pay and display) as parking on the road is not allowed.

For more information on site see links.

Definitely worth a trip, this lovely tomb combined with the beautiful Harps of Cliu to the south are fantistic viewing.
This is a lovely passage grave and the fact that it is pointing north means that whatever alignment it has if any is not obvious.

The Harps of Cliu are really impressive to view and are south of the hill the Duntryleague passage tomb is on. They are on the slopes of Galtymore mountain, which at 919m is the tallest in Tipperary. The harps relate to a mythical harpist (Cliu) that played them to “woo” a local goddess to him to keep the season’s in balance.

Not much left of this wedge tomb. The biggest remaining stone is maybe only 0.5m high by 1.2m long. A tree seems to have grown through the middle of it and I guess this is what has broken up the tomb. I happened to meet the son of the guy that owns the field and he mentioned there was second wedge tomb in the field but im not sure really. He also said RTE did a piece on the tomb years ago and couldn’t date them. Only one tomb is mentioned in the North Tipp Archaeological inventory.
To get there coming from Dublin into Roscrea at the second roundabout take the exit for McDonalds and go past it up a hilly winding road. About 1km later as the hill starts to flatten out it is on the right hand side and you should be able to see it ok. If you come to a left hand side junction you have gone to far.

If you haven’t been to Kilmogue dolmen before, or even if you have, now is the best time to go. The hedges and overgrowth have been cleared to the great credit of the landowner or whoever took the time to clear the site up a bit and its possible to see the dolmen much better than previous visits here where I failed to get a single decent photo. The far side of the dolmen on the other side of the field wall is possibly now the best looking side though both views are impressive. Maybe its just the surprise at being able to see so much more than usual. Look at the photos and plan your journey now!

As you come past Rock Valley on the way towards Boscastle ther is a little place called Trethevey.At the edge of the road by the lane to Trewethett farm is this stone. It has an information plaque calling this King Arthur’s Quoit. It is said to be the cap stone of a Dolmen, the supporting stones removed for gateposts. It is also known as Trethevey Quoit.

This stone which is regarded as one the finest pieces of rock art to survive in Cumbria, is now on display in Tullie House Museum, Carlisle. Also on display are the carved stones from Old Parks.

Visited with our eldest son close to sunset in January (wife sulking at being left in car with sleepy youngest). The sunset is splendid over the mound and a usually cynical seven year old showed a great interest in the site and standing watching the sunset with me.
Strangely he was also determined to go into the (very dark) chamber despite usually being very timid and unhappy in dark enclosed spaces – he led the way in and explored happily, and largely by touch. The sound of Dad walking hard into a (harder) stone in the chamber added to the sense of enjoyment and briefly led to a trance like (or is that stunned) state for me.
There obviously something about the place that a even a manic seven year old (and mildly concussed 30 something) can pick up, the sense of peace pervades – a perfect end to a day

The offerings of feathers and wild flowers show continued interest respect for the site. Not sure what the marking on the beam inside are about – we have our theory but could only see them clearly in the flash photo taken when leaving?

I really should learn to look at the OS maps before I visit sites, you know.

On our way to the Merry Maidens we drove past this and I said “oh, wonder what that was” (Mark was doing his usual 60mph on country roads whilst I try to spot the stones as we whizz by!) and then spotted the Maidens in the field ahead.

We parked in the layby at the top of the road, walked down to the circle, across to Rith Menhir and then back along the road, via Tregiffian. I got all excited when I realised what we were approaching and, even though the road dissects the chamber, it is just great to see it within the context of the other sites. This muts’ve been the most amazing landscape at one time, littered with stones and fogous and chambers.

This circle is so unbelievably circular, that it seems too good to be true. I stood in its centre and rotated 360 degrees (whilst Alfie the terrier ran round and round it!) and was amazed by the sheer ROUNDNESS of it!

A lovely site and we were completely alone, possibly due to the fact that it was a FREEZING cold day, blustery and grey, but all the more exhilarating for it.

This place is surrounded by stone – not only the standing stones in fields near by but huge pieces of stone which make up the field boundaries. I wish I understood more about landscape archaeology so I could fully appreciate some of the landscapes I spend my time gazing at!

From here, it is just a mere hop, skip and a jump into the field diagonally opposite (if you look down the road) to Gun Rith Menhir, which you can actually see from this field. Also, don’t miss the lovely hole stone in the gateway just up the road.

Visited Knap Hill early in February, a cold misty day and most of my photos reflect this. Adams Grave is probably contemporary with Knap Hill and the landscape round here is luminous with the past. If someone from the neolithic past had sat down beside me and Moss on top of that hill I would’nt have been surprised. We would both have been looking at a lunarlike landscape, hills and downs defined by sharply etched lines that meet the plain below. Perhaps in neolithic times the land below would have been marshy and tree covered, but in the distance Picked Hill would have stood out, as did Silbury in its time, was it a sacred hill? could the inhabitants of Knap hill look out and brooded on the meaning of life as they went about their daily tasks – who knows.. But this area is so imbued with man’s need to imprint himself within the landscape, The Wansdyke on the other side of Adams Grave reminds one of this. The colossal effort that went into making one’s mark, whether in death, or defence, or as a boundary to define the edges of territory.

I am sure that these rock carvings are fading rapidly. If the elemants don’t get them then the mentals will. Something needs to be done quickly in order to save these National Treasures.

I was just so pleased to have finally seen a fogou!!! Ever since watching The Modern Antiquarian and guffawing at Julian getting all mystic at Boleigh Fogou, I have harboured a desire to see one myself and Carn Euny is a cracker!

Yes, the roads up here are quite tortuous but it is well signed (as long as your driver isn’t doing 45mph on hair-pin bends as mine was!) and we were lucky enough not to meet any other traffic on the way up there. However, due to some rather crafty cows in the first field, who were stood in front of the sign which pointed us to the site, we ended up 2 fields away and had to jump over walls and barbed wire fence to get in.

What an amazing place! It was cold, grey and very blustery but we spent ages just milling around and the fogou istelf was just fabulous – I tried to video it but it was so dark inside, the picture is almost black – all you can hear is my voice squeaking with excitement!

You get a real feel for how this place was once alive, something that isn;t always true of other sites.

Didn’t see the glowing moss though – maybe because it was so overcast that there wasn’t any light to reflect?

And check out the amazing house and gardens at the parking area – pretty fantastic place to live!

Oooh, I really liked this stone. I always think there is something so powerful about a lone stone and this one doesn’t disappoint.

It’s easy to find; from the main Shap Road, take the turning to Shap Abbey and then the left turning towards Thornship. It is a narrow road, with passing places and, if you keep looking to your left, you will catch glimpses of the stone. As the road bends to the right, there is a pathway with room for one car to park (without blocking access for walkers, tractors etc). The stone is in the field on the left of the path.

I have never seen anybody else at the stone, although I have seen walkers on the roadside and the last time I visited, on a warm, sunny day, I sat for a good hour, leaning against the stone and just sighing....it’s worth checking out the fallen stones in the next field too and trying to imagine just how magnificent this area must have looked when the avenues were still standing in all of their glory.

I’ve been here a few times recently, and it appears the bracken has been cut back!

I picked my way to the top of this low mound, and saw what I presumed to be just the tip of the rocky outcrop that I assumed the Puckstone to be. Maybe that was the alleged standing stone?

I was walking along near the Agglestone last weekend, and could see the Puckstone silhouetted against the sky – it looked a LOT more prominent than my previous visit... I’ll see if any of my pics show this in any detail.

Definitely a stone circle, very different from two other stone cricles, Gors Fwar and Bedd Arthur, in Pembrokeshire. Is it a much later date? A cairn (as marked on the OS Map) inside the circle suggest this. Looking a the large stones it is difficult to believe they were once supporting walls.

There is another unusual stone, in addition to the ‘chair’ and ‘ribbed’ stones. That is a diamond shaped one.

A beautiful, peaceful site.

I was interested to read the comments about the great new house built next to the cromlech, altering its energetic field. Someone has removed the sign at the end of the lane advertising the cromlech’s location.

Anyway this is truly a magical site. There are more stones to the east, carelessly thrown into an hedge, probably formerly part of a double dolmen. That this was an important place and was still alive from Neolithic times to at least the Celtic era is recognised by local place names. For example, the cromlech is sited near the meeting point of two lanes – named Thurston and Oxland. It is also situated in the hamlet of Hill Mountain, a curious name. Until one realises the cromlech is just east of a part hidden natural mound (from which its stones might have come) that when ascended affords uninterrupted panoramic views (as estate agents would have it) of the whole of Pembrokeshire. Not only south towards St Daniels, Lundy Island and St Govans etc but also now to the north and the great mysterious diaspora of the Preseli Hills. Truly an impressive location. Great swathes of peaceful energy radiate.