Latest Fieldnotes

Sunday 13 July 2003
We arrived at the bottom of the lane at 119 287681, leading north between forestry and nature reserve, towards the various cairns and stone circle. We followed the lane along the edge of the forestry. The first gate to the moor and towards the cairns forbids entry because of the nature reserve.

We carried on along the lane, leaving it just as it turned sharp left. Here a track leads up and slightly left onto the moor. We followed this track until the first distinct (but gentle) bend to the right.

There is a large patch of ferns on the right as the track bends (at least at the moment!). Park Gate stone circle is in the long rather ‘reedy’ grass’ the other side of the fern patch, so turn right, off the track, and skirt the edge of the ferns on your left.

Follow the edge of the ferns until you are ‘behind’ the whole patch – you should be able to see a couple of the stones of the circle a short distance off in the long grass.

John and I were pleased to have found the circle, but Park Gate is not the most spectacular or impressive circle. It’s certainly worth seeing if you are in the area though. Once more it is set on a fairly wild bit of moorland with impressive views.

Looking at the circle itself, I was reminded slightly of some Scottish circles by the fact that the stones diminish in size from (at a guess) the south east of the circle to the north west. In this case it could easily just be because the north west is more ruined….

We both thought it would probably be worth a winter visit in the hope of lower grass – though as the area is likely to be boggy, the growth may still prevent a very good view of the stones.

This large round barrow is sited on the western flank of Sidbury Hill.

It used to stand at the crossroads of two trackways used by tanks, you can imagine how it came to be called the Hot Cross Bun.

The army is more sympathetic to the ancient remains lying on its land nowadays, hence it is now out-of-bounds to all army vehicles.

I visited this site in the summer of 2002, accompanied by a Wilts archaeologist who called it `the Everleigh henge`, however, jimit has pointed out that on the SMR it is named Weather Hill henge.

Although being on MOD land, the henge can be visited when no army exercises are taking place nearby.

There`s not much to see here. I couldn’t make out any evidence of the bank and ditch; still, the site is clearly marked by the wooden posts and noticeboards surrounding it which warn off the army vehicles from straying over the henge.

I didn’t know what to expect here – I was just chasing ‘tumuli’ on the map. There are three in a row in the Wylye valley bottom – admittedly it’s a very wide valley, but still a little unusual to find them so low down when there are so many convenient hills?
I tried to keep my mind on the landscape but had to walk through a field of curious bullocks who looked like they were going to march over en masse so I was slightly distracted. Running the gauntlet seemed worth it though when I got to the last field containing ‘The Knoll’. The barrow was surrounded by fantastic greeny golden barley, rippling in waves like something in a Van Gogh painting.

[visited 14/07/03] Well, I’m by far a cursus expert but I always thought they were much wider and generally bigger than this. However look at the pictures; it is a very strange track, it heads straight to one end of the barrow and it does go straight up a very steep hill. I would guess the central mound (and it is raised) is about 5 metres across.

Unfortunately I didn’t get to the end at the bottom of the hill due to time constraints, so I have no idea how far it went etc...

[visited 14/07/03] Amazing views to the east, spoilt by the low sun & the early morning haze, which to be fair made the whole experience seem more mystical. This mound is a strange one, I wasn’t sure where the mound ended and the edge of the hill began. Of course being the wrong side of the barbed wire fence didn’t help.

I’ll be back to have a proper shufty at this, the other side of the fence.

[visited 14/07/03] If I hadn’t known this was a barrow, I would have thought it was either related to the fint mines next to it or some weird hillfortesque defense. The reason for my confusion is it seems to curve along the edge of the hill, though that could have been my sleep addled mind...

All in all its a good length, though fairly denuded & with a bit missing (the platform?). The question in my mind is whether the fint mines are contempory as Dyer hints.

[visited 14/07/03] Been here a couple of times before, but this was the first time I’ve climbed the hill (Like Dyer says, you can see it with binoculors perfectly well from the carpark :).

It apparently dates from Saxon times, though as per the rumour is something was painted here well before that. I will say the hill surface it is on is surprisingly flat and to my mind marks the quarries, almost like a first attempt at a billboard!

Visited again 15th July 2003
A three stage enclosure, from the entrance at the North each area is protected by a ditch and gets a little bit higher. There are two embankments with a ditch, not to mention the naturally steep slopes up to the top. There are plenty of earthworks within the enclosures depicting the layout. There is a well, I asume it is ancient as it is more like a cavern downwards.
The hotel and pub is now closed and the place has become a haven for children and strong cider. Take a Biffa lorry if youhope to have any impact on the litter situation.

Visited 21st June: After our early start to observe the Solstice, and visiting the well known Stanton Drew sites, we were all ready for breakfast. Before we left the area I insisted on seeing Hauteville’s Quoit, so the others stayed in the car while I went to the farm (called Quoit Farm) to ask about the stone.

As soon as I went through the farmyard gate, a sheep dog starting barking at me from the direction of the farmhouse. Luckily there was a woman hanging up washing in the garden, so I didn’t have to get past the dog to knock on the farmhouse door. She was very friendly, and gave me directions to the stone, warning me that there wasn’t much to see.

The stone lies to the east of the farm buildings, and there certainly isn’t much to see. Where Hauteville’s Quoit once stood, there’s now only a small amount of stone visible above the soil. It’s hard to imagine this insignificant piece of rock as a large standing stone. It sits in the shadow of a tree, almost part of the hedgerow. Surely it’s been chipped away at over the years for building material. If not, there must be a lot of stone under the ground.

Despite its size, I’m glad I made the effort to see it. With so little left to look at, you’ll need to use a lot of imagination (and possibly take some dog biscuits) if you visit Hauteville’s Quoit.

A two for the price of one fieldnote. My first attempt at Blakey Topping was on the 6th July when I parked at the carpark that overlooks the Hole of Horcum, and walked east along the Old Wife’s Way. A little way down the track the hill starts to become visible and as you continue its strange shape becomes clearer, my first though was that it resembled the hill in Close Encounters and I was tickled when I got home and read that Julian had the same impression. From this western angle Blakey Topping is less a ‘tit’ hill and more a giant nipple. I decided not to continue on to the stones at the base this time as it seemed just too much of a walk and decided to approach the hill from the opposite side on another occasion, which turned out to be a week later.
This time I drove along the same forest track that leads past Howden Hill and parked next to Dargate Dyke – there is a charge for driving through this part of Dalby Forest, an unreasonable 4 quid. From here Blakey is about 2 miles to the northwest but I had thrown my old bike into the back of the car and was prepared for a leisurely peddle to the hill and stones – not so. First of all I took the wrong track due to having to rely on my map reading skills as the tree cover was playing havoc with my GPS. Twenty minutes and one detached chain later I managed to find my way back to where I had parked the car... Setting off again on the right track this time the land immediately drops down nearly 100 metres in a distance of only 500 metres which was pretty hairy on an old bike with iffy brakes, but safely at the bottom I turned left and continued west to Grain Beck where I was greeted by a couple of barking dogs from the house at the southeast end of Thompson’s Rigg. The dogs were quickly pacified and I continued onto the flattish plain of Thompson’s Rigg. From here the still distant Blakey appears a completely different shape to the western approach. The flat top and steep sides are replaced with a conical form that seems to almost exactly mirror Howden Hill when seen from the same direction – the southeast, which I found rather peculiar.
Compare these pictures of Blakey-
themodernantiquarian.com/image.php?image_id=16192
and Howden –
themodernantiquarian.com/image.php?image_id=16158

Again like Howden the effect diminishes as you move round to the southwest where the stones are and it become just another hill (a very pretty one nevertheless). All the way along the track I had been careful to re-close all the gates I had been through but as I reached the fence and gate that the stone setting stood behind I found the gate wide open, and just beyond it close to the stones were some young cows. Wanting to avoid the beasties I took a right turn and went along the edge of the fence and had to content myself by viewing the stones from over it so I can’t really say if they form part of a circle or an alignment as the scheduling report suggests. If I had had the presence of mind I would have stormed the gate and closed it before the cows could come through it, which only occurred to me as I made my way back. Turning round I started back to the gate only to find the cows had already come through to meet a walker who was heading north along the fence, he didn’t seem at all bothered by them but there was no way I was going past them – maybe next time...

An interesting site, with a road that drives straight through the heart of the fort. There are no views as, in so many cases, the hillfort is now covered in thick tree growth.

There is an information board near to an 18thC folly, called Grimsbury Castle, and a footpath across the road leads to one of the gates of the fort, where the fortifications and ditch can be clearly seen. Whilst I was there, a muntjac deer scurried past, totally at home in the environment.

Four barrows are visible to the west of the A34, and two more are visible to the east, the barrows lay in a rough n/s alignment.

There’s a layby right by the barrows on the northbound carriageway, for the use of visitors to the De Haviland Memorial, which is nearby.

Approaching from the north, we spotted the barrows and were looking for a suitable parking place when we spotted it. A huge crop circle on the hill in the adjoining field (see photo). So the stories are true. It is a centre for this kind of activity.

Once parked in the layby, I spent a bit of time looking at the barrows, which seem to leap from the surrounding fields, before moving down to look at the circle. In the hedge at the edge of the field was a fallen treetrunk, hosting an enormous fungus growth, looking for all the world like an alien spaceship.

A spooky visit.

This seems to be a hangout for the local youths, as three or four carloads passed us as we were leaving.

I didn’t climb the hill, but did take some nice photos of wild flowers for Mikki.

Once again a circle situated not on the crest of a hill which would have the best view, but is on the
southern slope giving restricted views to the SSW. Canmore database notes say the setting is only
visible from the immediate vicinity;I’ll confirm that. It also says that it stands on a slight terrace
which is infested with rushes, contrasting with the rough pasture of the rest of the hill. well, there
ain’t just one set of rushes on this hill, there must be a dozen in the immediate vicinity. Maybe the
people who built this one had reason to conceal it, because unless you know it’s there you ain’t going
to find it.The views from the site are magnificent.Once you’ve seen it,walk north for 200 metres to a 
three stone alignment on a crest (not the hilltop) for a 180 degree view with Norman’s Law (classic
mother hill shape) and The Bishop above Kinross both in view. From here there is an enclosure on John’s
hill to the NNE and continuing in a straight line, the Grey stone directly over Chapel hill.

Southern stone has maybe fallen inwards as it does not have the beautiful flat faces of the other three.
Canmore says: It comprises four stones, which define a trapezium measuring 3.2m along its N and W sides,
2.7m along the S and 2.5m along the E. All the stones are set square at the corners with their long axes
lying E and W, and they present a long flat face to the interior. The two on the N are markedly larger
than the others, and that on the NW is also the tallest. The dimensions of the stones are as follows: NW
- 1m by 0.5m and 0.65m high, NE – 0.8m by 0.4m and 0.3m high, SE – 0.73m by 0.43m and 0.2m high and SW –
0.73m by 0.38m and 0.4m high.

To get to this one it’s uphill all the way. In fine weather, allow at least 90 minutes to get there from
the roadside parking below Youth hostel north of Glendevon village. There’s usually space for 2 or 3
vehicles as long as you leave space for any cars at the end to exit. Turn left uphill and through the
gate with a sign to Auchterarder and Glenfoot cattery. Walk up the track to the cattery and take the
gate to its right. Through this it’s uphill again to a junction with another path coming from your left.
Cross a style into an old stone corral at the end of which the gradient eases somewhat and the path
leads on northwards. The conical White Creich hill is ahead of you with two burns at its foot on your
right. At this point it is possible to take a track to the right and downhill which crosses the Creich
burn (the left of the two) and follow this around White Creich hill. This one is not marked on the map,
but I observed horsemen using it from the circle so it should be ok. At this point,I followed the old
drove road up the left hand side of Borland glen to grid ref 070988 which will take you completely past
White Creich hill and from here you strike off the path downhill to the right and follow the 400 metre
contour of Green Law to Sim’s hill and the four poster circle on Sim’s hill. There are two burns to
negotiate, with steep sides, so appropriate footwear only please. Once on Sim’s hill itself, I found
finding the circle a bit more difficult than I thought, as the long approach up the glen gave a view of
the site area and a circular bed of rushes was seen which I thought was the spot. On reaching this, I 
discovered not one stone! A search of the area between the two burns on Sim’s hill eventually proved
sucessfull.The RCAHMS co-ordinates are NN 9976 0709, but my feeling is that it’s a bit further to the
east than this. I did not have a gps, so I can’t confirm.

I’m not at all sure if I agree with Julian’s sacred hill theories, and his choice of hills that he feels might have been of significance to prehistoric man seems rather arbitrary at times. It seems to me that pretty much any hill could have been seen as special to the local inhabitants, as could any river, lake, valley or any other landscape feature, but in the spirit of investigation and with an open(ish) mind I decided to pay a visit to Blakey Topping and Howden Hill.
Howden is easily reached from the village of East Ayton by a road travelling north through the picturesque Forge Valley and Scarwell Woods which line the edges of the River Derwent. Due to the number and size of the hills in this area Howden doesn’t come into view until you round the corner just before the bridge at Langdale End when suddenly *bang* it’s right there in yer face. The effect was the same as when I visited Avebury last year after not having been there for several years and I had forgotten the way that Silbury suddenly leaps out at you as you head west past Waden Hill. Perhaps the old man is on to something after all.
I didn’t attempt to climb the hill as I had already read Porkbeasts notes plus I was short of time as usual – anyway it looked one hell of a climb. The conical effect is only seen from the south/southeast as once you move round to the west the spine becomes apparent which diminishes the visual impact. It’s still a beautiful hill though and as Julian says it is set in a faerie landscape. Whether I think it was a ‘sacred’ hill or not, well the jury is still out on that one I’m afraid – maybe I needed to climb it for a full appreciation.

This small cairn (no it is not a barrow!) lies near to a medieval tin stream works, in a moorland valley. It was excavated by Croft-Andrew in the mid 20C, but nothing of interest was found. This is probably due to the fact that after the stunning find of a gold cup in Rillaton Barrow (this is actually a cairn also!), every mound of earth or stone in the district was turned over in search of more treasure.

This menhir (now fallen) gave the downs upon which it is to be found their name. It is located in idillic isolation on a plateau between the peaks of Sharp and Killmar Tors.

This lonesome stone has a great view... I know not nothing else about it. I’m guessing at the name and it’s not on the OS map, if anyone knows it’s real name, post it here please.

Driving past Croft Moraig there was a wedding taking place in the middle of the stones! They didn’t look like they were going anywhere soon (the people getting married that is) so the decision was made to push on to Acharn. The village is very quiet with parking available at the foot of the path to the falls (in front of the local shop).

The climb to the falls themselves is long and steep. Once at the head of the falls follow the ‘proper’ road as it curves up to the right (don’t worry it goes left on the next bend). Thinking we could find a short-cut we ignored this road and got hopelessy lost and ended up retracing our steps, a cautionary tale!

It’s a hell of a climb but as noted elsewhere there is something a little bit special about this circle. It could be the views up and down Loch Tay and it could be that the stones themselves have masses of character with their faces unbelievably weatherbeaten and lichen encrusted.

Well worth the effort.

This enigmatic site is located just off the track to Bearah Tor Quarry, the cairn itself is quite ruinous, but the chamber & its capstone are in-situ.

Visited 21st June 2003: As our Solstice morning progressed I dragged everyone up to see the Cove, promising William that we’d have breakfast afterwards (I neglected to mention Hautevilles Quoit at this stage).

I’ve got to disagree with Ocifant’s impression of the Cove. I think there is something special about these stones, and it’s made all the more remarkable by the fact they’re in a pub garden. Obviously the garden was deserted when we visited, so it was relatively quiet, but I’ve been there before when it was crowded and there was still a zing to the place then. On this occasion our visit was brief because we were all hungry and tired, but we’ll be back as soon as possible (during opening hours).

These megaliths must have contributed to the building of the church on it’s current site, between them and the South West Circle. Their part in the wedding legend also suggests that they have been considered as important elements in Stanton Drew group for a considerable time. The fact that’s they’ve ended up in the garden of a pub is perhaps not wholly inappropriate, because in this way they remain part of the day to day life of the village in a way that the other megaliths don’t.

The site is difficult to find, especially between mid-June and November due to the abundance of braken in the area, it is easiest found from Craddock Moor Stone Circle on a bearing that divides the Craddock Moor Stone Row in half.

There’s a sign screwed to a tree nearby that suggests the huge capstone is only supported by two of the uprights, but I saw at least three in contact during my visit.

The pathway to the dolmen was incredibly overgrown, but the area immediately around the dolmen was clear.

This stone (or its site) is just down the road from the cottage we’d hired for the week. On the final day of our holiday we determined to find it. The only stone of any size in the area is in the grounds of a new house, currently up for sale. There are a couple of other large stones in the garden, but the one furthest from the road looks most genuine.