Stony Littleton Long Barrow View all content for Stony Littleton

Visited 7.9.13 On Thursday night Dafydd’s older sister returned home from a holiday in Spain. Giving out the presents she had bought she presented Dafydd with a box. Inside was a head light. Now I guess this wouldn’t appeal to most 5 year olds but Dafydd thought it was a great gift. ‘You can use it when you are going in those tunnels with your dad’ Danielle stated. ‘They are not tunnels; they are burial chambers’ Dafydd helpfully replied. So, come Saturday, where to go so he can try out his new light? Looking at the map I decided it was time a re-visit to Stoney Littleton was in order. This time we approached via the car park, across the bridge, and up the hill. The adjacent farm now sells ice creams from a little wooden hut which pleased the children immensely. The last time I visited Stoney Littleton was from the lane to the north – the muddiest walk I have ever done, before or after. The walk from the car park was a much more pleasant experience. We arrived at the Long Barrow and another family were already there. They had clearly already been inside and were chatting outside the entrance. They also had a young boy about Dafydd’s age who was very chatty. Myself, Dafydd and Sophie headed into the tomb with Dafydd taking the lead with his new light. I had almost forgotten just how wonderful this site is. I headed for the end of the passageway and sat quietly whilst Dafydd and Sophie explored the side chambers. At this point the young lad came into the passageway with his head light and started chatting to Dafydd (they were comparing notes on their head lights). Dafydd then proceeded to give the boy an explain to the boy what the side chambers were for and where the bones were put. He also suggested that if they kept quiet and shone their lights into the gaps between the stones they may see fairies. I have no idea where he got this notion from but it kept the two of them busy for a short while. We eventually emerged from the tomb and headed back down the hillside. The other family joined us the children raced each other through the fields and towards the ice cream hut. All in all a very good visit to what is without doubt an excellent site. If you have never had the pleasure of Stoney Littleton do yourself a favour and get here as soon as you can. You won’t be disappointed. Ravenfeather's previous notes describe a visit better than I can.

Posted by CARL 9th September 2013ce

Comments (2)
Great fieldnotes Carl, sounds like you had a good day.	Posted by Ravenfeather 10th September 2013ce
Probably my favourite place, somewhere to sit quietly and enjoy this elegant long barrow, not so sure about the ice cream hut though Carl. As long as the vendor sticks to ice cream and no wrappers, the little Wellow brook is clear and perfect at this point.	Posted by moss 10th September 2013ce
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