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Round Barrow(s)
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Here's one to which to take your kids - assuming you have any of the little blighters, of course - and chuckle whilst imagining prim Ms Wilberforce (all starchy white blouse and heaving bosom) wishing she'd never asked little Johnny what he did at the weekend.... much to the amusement of the other children in class. Ha! But, hey, I kid you not, this is what it's called. Check the map.
The monument upon Bummers Hill is actually quite an upstanding round barrow, albeit heavilly overgrown and sited behind barbed wire immediately north - and in full view of - Mutfords Farm. An adjacent farmyard of ancient, rusting cars adds a somewhat 'hill-billy vibe' to proceedings, but (thankfully... not to mention obviously) shotgun wielding country dudes are conspicuous by their absence. In fact there is no answer at the farm, so I assume no-one will mind if I go and have a little look at close quarters.
The positionning of the barrow is interesting, overlooking Little Hormead Brook to the north and the River Quin - not that 'mighty' (hence just the one 'n')... but it does the job - to the west. Other minor streams complete the water features, the presence of these perhaps a significant original factor, perhaps not?
Bummers Hill will not blow visitors away with its size, siting or vibe. No, there is a softer... dare I say it, more 'mundane' feeling in the air here, set upon a working farm in a sleepy corner of Hertfordshire. But to me that is precisely its charm. It's just... well.... here. No fanfare, no information board. Almost as if it's always been here, a part of the landscape itself. Which, if you think of it, is not that far from the truth. And, somehow, it's survived the millennia. Right on!
I approached from the north, parking in a dedicated 'field car park' set aside for visitors to the church. Reach the latter by taking Worsted Lane from the B1368, then turning right.
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Posted by GLADMAN
8th March 2012ce
Edited 8th March 2012ce
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