Today I went with some friends to visit Stoney Littleton for the first time. The visit left me with a lot of mental impressions and images to digest – not ready to write about them just yet. On the way back however, the friend who was driving us suggested calling off at Lanhill Barrow, near Chippenham.
What a lovely and unexpected surprise – this long barrow is tucked away in a field quite close to a busy road. In spite of the background traffic noise it was incredibly peaceful ... hay baled up in the field, the route of a now dried up river leaving an indentation in the centre of the field. There was a stream on the far boundary of the meadow along with a small ‘water works’. The barrow is sealed but with one of its side chambers open – our guide today, the ever knowledgeable PeteG took us to the end of the barrow by two old oaks and pointed to a short stone wall which had been build with the stones from the exterior of the barrow.
Compared to Stoney Littleton, Lanhill is unspectacular in its setting but I found visiting it curiously satisfying ... very much the cherry on the cake.
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Fantastic,
I didn't realise they used the stones for the wall...every day is a school day!!
I was there only the other day myself, but shall be popping back for another look at that wall.
I am unsure I accept that its setting is unspectacular as I think Lanhill Hill and the whole fact that it is almost hidden away from the unsuspecting commuters as they pass by oblivious to its existance is almost perfect.
I would suggest Lugbury as another close by longbarrow to consider being only a few miles from Castle Coomb. At the moment it is surrounded by Maze and a little diificult to get to but worth a visit if you are close by again later in the year.
Thanks for that info :o)
Thanks for your comment Scubi ... I only meant unspectacular compared to Stoney Littleton - which made such a deep impression I am unable to write about it. My experience at Lanhill was very different and totally enjoyable ... I forgot to mention there were a birds of prey hovering over both sites. Three buzzards at SL and a sparrowhawk (I think) at Lanhill.
I have made a mental note about Lugbury.