Cold Kitchen Hill

Nearest town:
Warminster (7km N)
OS reference:
ST846383
OS sheet:
183
Latitude:
51° 8' 35.48 N
Longitude:
2° 13' 12.6 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Cold Kitchen Hill (Long Barrow) by GLADMAN

The concrete posts visible are intended to offer protection from agricultural mishaps... so no excuses, then. Having said that, I’m glad to report this monument appears exceedingly well treated, so well done that man.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 28, 2015
Image of Cold Kitchen Hill (Long Barrow) by GLADMAN

Looking approx east upon the long barrow towards Whitecliff Down, apparently bearing ancient earthworks of a more defensive nature. Oh for more time and energy.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 13, 2012
Image of Cold Kitchen Hill (Long Barrow) by GLADMAN

Eastern front, looking north(ish). This is a very upstanding, well preserved long barrow indeed. A sheep unwittingly (I presume) provides confirmation of scale. The cloudscape threatens – and delivers – a short burst of hail...

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 13, 2012
Image of Cold Kitchen Hill (Long Barrow) by GLADMAN

Ever wanted to know what a Wiltshire long barrow is made of? Just ask a pesky burrowing creature (sorry, I still love ‘em to bits) .... eastern flank, looking approx north.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 13, 2012
Image of Cold Kitchen Hill (Long Barrow) by GLADMAN

Eastern flank, looking south(ish) and highlighting the very well preserved quarry ditches. Or at least the eastern. The (also very fine) Pertwood Down long barrow lies upon the skyline line of sight, near the forestry plantations.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 13, 2012
Image of Cold Kitchen Hill (Long Barrow) by GLADMAN

And the eastern flank.... although the stupendous April Skies – frankly – put the monument strictly into perspective and in its rightful place. Incidentally the object, far right, is the farmer’s sheep feeder.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 13, 2012
Image of Cold Kitchen Hill (Long Barrow) by GLADMAN

The western flank, approaching from the summit of the hill.....

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 13, 2012
Image of Cold Kitchen Hill (Long Barrow) by GLADMAN

Approaching from the Bronze Age round barrows to the west.... the siting of the Neolithic monument (indicated) is typical, set some way below the OS trig pillar, top right.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 13, 2012
Image of Cold Kitchen Hill (Long Barrow) by formicaant

The long barrow from the south, looking north over the Wylye valley.

Image credit: Mike Rowland 13/10/2008
formicaant
formicaant Oct 13, 2008

Articles

Cold Kitchen Hill

Kingston Deverill cemetery plan delayed for archaeological investigation

moss
moss Feb 18, 2012

Interesting in that there is a barrow next to the church.....

Plans to expand the cemetery in Kingston Deverill have run into an unexpected problem – the land may already hide a prehistoric burial ground.

The graveyard at St Mary’s Church was last extended in 1926 and is now full, prompting rector Norma Payne and churchwarden Bill Knowles to apply to extend it.

While the move was granted permission, the church was told it would have to first run an archaeological dig because the land is next to a prehistoric disc barrow.

Mr Knowles said: “The whole area is full of prehistoric remains so this is a fairly standard planning condition for the village. I’m not sure we will find anything.

“I would be surprised if there is anything there at all, but it would be very interesting if any archaeological finds are made.

“Of course it would also be a problem for us as it would delay the plans somewhat.”

Historic records stored by the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre show the strip is roughly ten metres away from a Bronze Age mound, dating from around 2,500 BC.

Since such barrows were often created in groups, heritage advisors want to conduct trench surveys of the area to see if further relics are hidden there.

The Deverill valley is believed to have been inhabited since at least 3,500 BC. Kingston Deverill is the site of a 100-yard-long barrow on Cold Kitchen Hill, with another smaller barrow on its lower slopes.

A round barrow on Middle Hill in the village was found to contain a rare necklace made of a glass-like substance found in the Baltic, proof of trade between Wessex and the continent.

Archaeologist Mike Heaton, who runs a consultancy business in Warminster, is helping the church with its investigation.

“There are an enormous amount of prehistoric sites in the valley – you can make out the barrow shapes in aerial photos,” he said.

“There were centuries of occupation in the Iron Age and by the Romans, and a lot of medieval remains too. We will start by carrying out a physical survey to see if there is anything down there. Should anything show up we will dig trenches to find out what. If there is a lot of stuff it could be an investigation lasting several years.

“But it shouldn’t take up too much room, so the church would be able to start using the patch for burials.”

wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/inyourtown/warminsternews/9538112.Kingston_Deverill_cemetery_plan_delayed_for_archaeological_investigation/

Cold Kitchen Hill

tjj
tjj Apr 24, 2017

Visited this substantial long barrow in deep Wiltshire near Warminster today. Almost at the top of Cold Kitchen Hill but not quite. Situated just below the brow of the hill – can be seen clearly on the walk up but not from the highest point of the hill. I think there have been discussions in the past on why it seems Neolithic people chose this position rather than the summit of the hill. Visuals perhaps.
A great walk from Longbridge Deverill (traveled by train to Westbury where met by walk friend) then along the ridge to Bidcombe Wood which was full of bluebells and wild garlic. All pretty wonderful.
Not posting a photo of long barrow as can’t add anything to Gladman’s marvelous sky/cloud photos.

Cold Kitchen Hill

formicaant
formicaant Oct 15, 2008

This is a substantial monument, being 230 feet long, 72 feet wide and 12 feet in height. In addition the side ditches are still over 30 feet wide by 4 feet deep. It is situated just below the crest of Cold Kitchen hill facing north and overlooking the Wylye valley. The siting of the barrow is interesting as it sits in a fold of the hill and can,t be seen until you’re very close to it.
The barrow is orientated NW-SE and is rectangular in plan. It shows no signs of ever having been excavated which must be quite unusual.
It’s fairly easy to get to, but the hill is very steep and parking is limited in the village of Kingston Deverill.
It appears in an Anglo-Saxon charter as Lang Beorh and the name Cold Kitchen apparently alludes to a celtic name meaning hill of the wizard.

Sites within 20km of Cold Kitchen Hill

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