[visited 9/12/02] Possibly the dullest hillfort in the world, despite the fantastic roadname. Peering through the hedge from the road you can just see a bank & ditch circling away from you.
This fort has been so ploughed that it can’t be more than 3 metres top of bank to bottom of ditch & probbly more like 1.5 metres... Oh and you can’t walk on it cos it has crops all over it.
Unless you happen to be “passing”, don’t bother.
[visited 9/12/02] Probably the second most visibly impressive monument in Norfolk (after Grimes graves) and defn. the most impressive I visited on a long day out. It’s a fine Iron Age hillfort with large ramparts, 2 banks and a ditch mostly.
Probably best visited on a warm summers day as in December, its a mite bit chilly..
[visited 9/12/02] Brr, its fking freezing up here in the depths of a Norfolk winter. According to ma guidebook, there are at least 4 large barrows here plus lots of “mini-barrows” making this the largest barrow cemetary in Norfolk.
I managed just two of the barrows, Gallows Hill & Halfpenny Hill. Both very respectably sized bowl barrows, covered in bracken. Halfpenny Hill is defn. the most impressive though Gallows Hill is easier to find and has 360 degree views from the top including the sea.
HH is at TG077422 & GH is at TG080425. The mini-barrows are (I think) in Taylors wood at TG069421
Try and visit this site after the bracken dies for maximal satisfaction.
[visited 9/12/02] A perishingly cold december day couldn’t temper the joy I had visiting this site. Really not much to see on the ground, just a depression with a low bank around it. It also has the pleasure of a fck off huge pylon right next to it..
But it’s a henge, in Norfolk. And its even on the Norwich A-Z, Alan Partridge would be proud...
This one lies just of the A926, a busy little road and it can be awkward parking nearby. The stone’s about 5-1/2 feet tall, and flares out a bit near the top – rather like the Bonhard stone, I think. A bit of field clearance built up round it, and a few scrape marks from farm machinery. No significant markings, though.
The outlier has some cup marks on it, low down on the SE edge. They appear to form a rough diamond shape, visible in a couple of the pictures I have posted.
Visited 8th December 2002: For the full harrowing tale of our visit, take a look at my field notes for Cerrig Caerau, which stands only a few hundred yards away from Lled Croen yr Ych.
Chris and I made a very hasty visit to Lled Croen yr Ych, with Alfie strapped to me (thankfully oblivious to the extreme cold because he was under my coat). The others stayed at Cerrig Caerau sheltering behind the largest stone. There’s a fence running between the two circles, with a conveniently placed stile (only slightly broken) so that you can get between the sites.
This circle is a smaller than it’s neighbour, with small squat stones (each less than a cubic metre in size). Some of the stones are unusual shapes, with one small wedge like stone on the side of the circle nearest to Cerrig Caerau. None of the stones are standing, but in contrast to Cerrig Caerau, I’m not convinced that they ever were standing. They’re more like little boulders than standing stones.
If I had to guess, I’d say that Cerrig Caerau is the older of the two circles because it has the look of a pale imitation. In comparison, to it’s neighbour Lled Croen yr Ych is slightly drab and feels less well thought out. A latecomer perhaps, but an enigmatic one, given it’s close proximity to Cerrig Caerau.
Having derided it, I have to admit that Lled Croen yr Ych isn’t without a charm of its own, and if it weren’t right next door to a more eminent circle (on local standards) then I guess I’d look at it in a different light. I would really like to visit both these circles again in the summer.
My first stone. Visited Castlerigg late on 07/12/02. Dark all around. Not a body to be seen. A moving experience which had to be repeated the next day in the winter sunshine. People milling this time but all tied to the same stillness.
Onward to the next.
Visited 8th December 2002: This afternoon I dragged my immediate family, plus my brother Pete and his partner Chris, off to see Cerrig Caerau stone circle and it’s smaller neighbour Lled Croen yr Ych.
We parked to the south of Newydd Fynyddog at the end of the footpath, and had a picnic lunch in the car. It was bitterly cold when we got out of the car, and William started complaining almost immediately. The walk from the road to the circle isn’t all that long (about half a mile) but it’s quite a steep gradient. We practically dragged William up the hill, and he was crying most of the way. To be fair, it was really cold, and the wind made it worse. He was suffering quite a bit from the cold, but by the time we realised this we were practically at the circle. Rather than turn back we kept on going.
The stones aren’t very big, and none of them remain standing. The views must be impressive on a good day, but visibility was very poor this afternoon, and we couldn’t see much of the surrounding hills. William sheltered behind the biggest stone with Pete, and (depending on how cold and pissed off we were) the rest of us had a look at the stones. It wasn’t the most relaxed visit to a stone circle that we’ve ever made, because we were all worrying about poor old Will.
Chris, Alfie and I pegged it across the stile to take a quick look at Lled Croen yr Ych, then we all headed off back down the hill. Pete carried William most of the way back, and he fell asleep as we walked (which worried us a bit). He slept in the car under a pile of coats on the way back, then woke up when we got home as if nothing had happened.
I’d recommend a visit to these sites if you’re in the area, but perhaps not in weather like we had today. Sorry about that William!
I’ve walked my dogs several days a week for 6 years around the area and couldn’t tell you for sure where the hillfort is... there has been so much other landscaping in the area especially the racecourse and allotments. A ridge that may be the hillfort is visible from the north of manor road and is disected by the road. Ancient pathways are kind of visible along the ridges of the downs around here though, notably Juggs Road that has been used up to more recent times (when Brighton was still a fishing village) for taking fish across the downs from Brighton to Lewes.
The Growing Stone..what a welcome antidote.
For 3 days previous I had been courtesy of my loved cousin and his Mrs their guest at the Network Q Rally. Big powerful motors tearing across the mountains and big fat petrol heads covering the hill with unfeasable amounts of shit, cans, bottles, take away cartons, burger wrappers. I needed to see this cos if I hadn’t I would not have believed how grossly f****d up the majority of us are. An education I badly had to endure.
Night 3 we run away, we camp on the hill away from the tip and the arrogance and sleep good in the wood. Day 4 we head out across the hills and visit The Growing Stone.
Now then what do we anticipate ?
MOD, fences, exclusion, pollution all that crap. a good stone spoiled?
But ah ha brill, dance for joy cos none of that, sure there is a dilapidated fence, the military grounds and the road but....
This stone stood out and rendered all that to invisibility.
Now there is power..
A bad world cured.
You can only see this stone as a sentinal on the valley floor, alone, mist wreathed a tribute to the crop, and instead of standing anachronistic a stranger in a strange land it dissolved everything, transporting me back before we went so badly wrong. I cannot even remember what it looked like now but it saved me then.
There is something here that discards its modern and unfortunate circumstances and imposes its own time.
Quite remarkable.
Put it on your list.
Park at the foot of the hill – just off the Ninewells access roundabout, on the south side, is a small residential area where there is usually parking space. Walk up the drive towards the hospital, and as you pass the first curve you’ll see the cairn on your right.
This cairn or barrow is described thus in Canmore: “A small circular, wooded enclosure on Menzieshill farm, known locally as “Dark Stane” Roundie, derived its name from a large upright block of dark whinstone, standing near its centre, almost enveloped in foliage. It has been suggested that it formed part of a stone circle, and when it was removed in 1888, a quantity of bones was ploughed up at the spot where it stood. Further human bones were found all over the Roundie when it was ploughed over. The stone was about 7’ high, 4’ broad and 1’ thick, entirely unsculptured, but fairly smooth on the sides which faced east and west. A large piece lying on the ground was said to have been struck off by lightning.”
The stone has long since gone, as has the wood. On the top of the cairn now are a few small stones, which look like Victorian railing supports – only 4 of a possible 7 or 8 are left, all with small holes facing outward. There’s not much left to look at, and it is now almost surrounded by roads and housing developments.
Leave the A90 Dundee to Perth dual carriageway at the Errol turn off and head towards Rait. As you approach a small crossroads you will see the Rati Farm steadings just up ahead on the right (nowadays an Antiques Centre with several shops). Turn right into the steadings then right again into the car park – the stone is at the corner as you turn in.
This is a very interesting stone, absolutely covered in cup marks on the upper surface. According to Canmore, “the boulder measures 1.5m by 1.2m and is at least 0.4m in thickness, and the cups measures up to 80mm in diameter. The arrangement of the cups includes a large one which is surrounded by six equally-spaced smaller cups; this pattern of cup-marks is similar to the rosettes which occur at Ormaig in Argyll but with the outer ringmark missing. Given that the boulder was placed in its present position fairly recently after having lain nearby for some time, it is likely that it was originally found in the field which lies S and E of the steading as it bears plough scarring and was almost certainly buried before discovery.” There are certainly distinct plough marks on it. It is a short walk from here to the Fingask standing stone also well worth a visit.
Park at the Rait Farm Antiques centre and walk up to the farm itself. Take the track leading east (your right) and follow it along towards the walled garden. As the track curves upwards you will see the stone in the little field north of you.
Canmore states simply “This standing stone is situated about 320m SSE of Fingask Castle and close to the SW corner of a walled garden. It measures 1.2m from NE to SW by 0.8m and 1.5m in height.” But there’s more to this one than initially meets the eye. Have a very careful look at the north face – two grooves run vertically up the face of the stone. They do not look to be natural. On the SE side there is a smaller one at the foot of the stone – this proved easier to photograph than the others. Very reminiscent of the markings on the main stone at Tuilyies, I thought!
This stone stands in the centre of a field just to the north of the A90 Dundee to Perth dual carriageway. Turn off the road into the Inchmartine Caravan Park drive and park off the road.
The stone measures 1.85m from NE to SW by 1.3m and 1.9m in height, shouldered away from the uppermost horizontal plane, according to Canmore – which also states “It is possible that the stone is no more than a large erratic boulder,” I find this hard to believe, as the surveyor obviously didn’t pay much attention on his visit. There is a clearly defined set of four cup marks in a rough diamond configuration low down on the NW aspect of the stone. Quite a dramatic stone, easily visible from the road. It has suffered from some machinery scrapes over the years, and there is very little space left round it by the farmer.
This must be one of Derbyshires best kept secrets, a triple cairn on Fallinge Edge nr Beeley Moor. The kerb stones remain and the middle cairn has a double row of stones. The length of the cairns overall is around 50ft.
The stones on the northern side of the cairn are quite large, a little section of the kerb is missing in the NW, where a medieval lead bole was built, but otherwise it is complete.
The easiest way to get there is to park near ‘wraggs’ disused quarry SK282684, jump over the gate and follow the track to the edge of the moor. OK so it says private......but.
Outstanding views from the cairn, with Minninglow prominent on the horizon in the west.
I didn’t go into the field to get closer,the wheat did not permit.Maybe next time.
I went into the field over a stile on the top road and followed the fence closely followed by two large red brown bullocks.After I had taken a photo the said bullocks decided my time in their domain was over.I made the other side of the fence just before they caught up with me.
Unlike Martin I struggled ungracefully over the drystane dyke and nearly broke my neck stumbling over a wire fence.Nevertheless the visit was worth it.no problem parking,just keep well in to the side.
I took Nick’s advice and walked from the road to view these stones, they are like many of their kind somewhat neglected. The farmer looks at you sort of kindly saying but they are only auld stanes. There is a stretch of fishing river here and you could be quizzed by the factor...
I found this poor stone brutally caged for what crime I could not begin to imagine. I pondered a protest movement to free it – FREE THE BALNABROICH ONE NOW!
This large stone stands some 9 feet tall. According to the Name Book of 1860, it was said locally to be a pointer to roads that were merely heather tracks. There are no markings on it, but it is quite impressive.
Take the Tealing to Auchterhouse road (un-numbered) at the back of Dundee. Pass the Old School House (North Balkello) on your left, and about 100m past this you will see the top of the stone showing above the bank and wall on your left. Drive on down into the dip in the road, and there is space (just) to pull over by a metal gate. Entry can be made here.
another example of doing the fieldwork first! We were actually looking for Altarnun, and presumed it would be the same side of the main road as the village. So we set of in driving wind and rain into the featureless moorland with visibility fading, searching for the wrong stone circle, which we nearly didn’t find. We could see the stone row but didn’t venture that far.
We only found the circle whilst dejectedly walking back to the car. We literally stumbled upon it. I didn’t even count stones although they are lain flat, and would have stood at an impressive height. I say stood because they didn’t look like they were placed in their respective positions. They looked and felt too jumbled for that.
johan
Depending on which source you believe, this is either the only, or one of only two, rockcut chamber tombs in Britain.
It may not be in the middle of nowhere but you can definitely see the middle of nowhere from here.
In a ruinous state it may be, but this circle caught my eye as I drove past. Situated in wet moorland, there are signs that a fire destroyed all the surrounding grassland a while back, exposing this beauty! I’ve lost count of the stones, but there’s a good few!! There’s a strong energy here, not as much as others, but the power of the land is obvious. Very close to the road, but far enough away to sit and drift....
Enjoy it... I do, regulary.
