Sutton Cheney Barrows Round Barrow(s) View all content for Sutton Cheney Barrows

Visited July 2014 Made a point of checking out these two barrows as they were the only ones in the area that had officially been declared "round barrows" rather than "mounds". It would seem they only got to be officially recorded because they were dug into by Sir John Evans in 1851 and an artifact ended up in the Ashmolean. Willful neglect seems to be the order of the day around these parts when it comes to antiquates, a local tradition that lives on into the present day. Of the two barrows, the one furthest north at SK 41410079 is barley there. I could just make out a slight dome in the crop height after standing on a gate and looking over the field. I guess the trees around the mound were felled and the whole site ploughed level. Maybe you can see more when the crop is cut but not at this time of the season. It did make a perfect placement for a barrow and the drovers track (a gated road) that runs between the two barrows felt old, although the Romans are credited with most of the roads around here. The second barrow is in the garden of the old vicarage. I read somewhere that Sir John Evans was the local vicar in 1851 which was probably why he dug into the barrow in the first place. From the lane, you can't see much of this except mature trees and a high hedge. A gate is placed next to the barrow but access is private. The lane seems to have been widened at some time, with the side of the barrow and ditch being cut into. Again, unless you knew where to look and from what angle, this site is well hidden. I decided to chance my luck and made enquires to a guy on the front driveway in a large motor home. Initially he seemed a bit hesitant, saying the lady of the house would be back in an hour, but I persisted in my request to photograph the barrow and after checking with the kids playing in the garden, he allowed me access. I walked around the barrow taking pictures and asking the kids what they knew of the site. The side nearest the house had been utilized as an Anderson shelter in WWII but positioned as not to destroy the barrow itself. (Nothing on Pastscape about this addition). I remarked about spirits, but they seemed quiet happy and proud to have this barrow in the back garden. This monument survives well and had a contented vibe about it, which is far more than can said of some of the antiquities in the area. Hardly worth a visit in itself, but maybe for the drive-by TMA types after visiting the Bosworth Battlefield or Bosworth country park.

Posted by Chance 29th July 2014ce

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