Images

Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

No messing about with these defensive banks....

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Looking approx north-west from the enclosure.... one hopes the previous occupants erected some manner of wall around these impregnable flanks of their home.... or else refrained from sleepwalking.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Looking approx south along the western flank of the enclosure.... catch it before the Channel takes it back. But please ensure the Channel doesn’t take you back!

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The excellent defences demarcating the enclosure from the hinterland.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Castell y Dryw, the wondrous, crumbling cliff face supporting the southern apex of the Nash Point cliff fort... viewed where the Marcross Brook reaches the Bristol Channel.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Castell y Dryw.... yeah, amazingly.... people lived up here once.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

Four lines of ramparts protect the approach to the promontory.

Image credit: A. Brookes (10.11.2012)
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

The steep drop down from the eastern flank to Marcross Brook.

Image credit: A. Brookes (10.11.2012)
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

The western side of the fort has been chewed away by the sea, leaving vertical, crumbling cliffs.

Image credit: A. Brookes (10.11.2012)
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

Detail of the multiple lines of ramparts across the neck of the promontory.

Image credit: A. Brookes (10.11.2012)
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

The steep eastern flank, natural defences in need of no enhancement.

Image credit: A. Brookes (10.11.2012)
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

The possible long cairn, from the northwest. It does live up to its “long” billing from this angle.

Image credit: A. Brookes (10.11.2012)
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The northern of the surviving pair can be seen rising top right.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The southern of the pair of barrows which still exist.... the destroyed example lies beyond the drystone wall, the stones, modern.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The first of the round barrows encountered moving along the cliff line from the ‘fort.... or more accurately ‘not encountered’. As Carl notes it is barely recognisable, ploughed to near oblivion.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The southern heart of the encloure, looking south.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The powerful promontory defences from the outer bank.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Note sure switching to b/w to try and counter the extreme conditions successfully conveys the atmosphere I wanted .... but here ‘tis, nonetheless. Looking from Castell y Dryw to a small section of the fantastic coastal rock pavements of Glamorgan.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Upon the northern, surviving round barrow, looking to the southern, near to hand, yet engulfed by sea mist.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

One of the two recognisable round barrows (I believe this is the northern) to be found along the cliff line from the ‘fort to the approx north-west... sudden thick sea mist buggered the photography, but did wonders for the vibe. Incidentally the stones – sadly – are modern, protecting the barrows from occasional traffic upon the farm track.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

I spy, with my little eye..... a long cairn, rising beyond this very impressive promontory/cliff fort. Perhaps. Probably?

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Toward the southern apex of the cliff fort.... no doubt reduced in width upon the eastern flank from coastal erosion.... but clearly still a pretty extreme home in its time.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Looking approx south across the impressive, substantial promontory defences

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Blow away by the awesome cliff scenery, I was certainly not expecting four cross banks of this magnitude..... Incidentally the remaining round barrows lie beyond the wall, top right skyline.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Highlighting the excellent position of the possible Cae’r Eglwys long cairn, as viewed from the Nash Point promontory fort.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The Cae’r Eglwys (possible) long cairn... I prefer to think of the rain as ‘evocative’.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The Cae’r Eglwys (possible) long cairn looking (very) approx north-east...

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Nash Point (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The Cae’r Eglwys long cairn – or at least assumed long cairn – looking approx west toward Nash Point promontory fort.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone

Articles

Nash Point

The cluster of monuments in the vicinity of Nash Point do not advertise – or, it would appear, endear themselves to the casual visitor. This is a pity since it would seem, to gauge by the capacity of the car park at least, that there are often quite a few of the latter, particularly so during the summer months. In the absence of an information board – always handy in such popular areas, I find – it is debatable whether more that the proverbial handful have any idea that here, just a few miles from the great urban sprawl of Bridgend, can be found much of what makes the Glamorgan coastline so intoxicating to these eyes. But hey, great place to walk the dog, though....

Some may argue that a day of low cloud, drizzle and high winds may not be the most salubrious of days to go walkabout in South Wales. Maybe. However head for the coast, stick on the waterproofs... and I would suggest there is a strong case for these being precisely the optimum conditions to truly ‘experience’ this coastline in all its wild abandon. As with Carl, there is no need to pay the £1.50 toll to traverse the private road heading south west from Macross to the car park today. Simple things, as they say.

So, suitably ‘tooled up’, I literally immerse myself in the ineluctable weather and head for the first monument, Cae’r Eglwys, a little way up the road towards the lighthouse at SS91666825, that is to the right. I guess I need to point out that the ‘earthwork’, as marked on the 1:25k OS map, is not a certain long cairn. However Coflein appear pretty confident, and it does seem pretty difficult to explain otherwise. Unfortunately ignorance of its (assumed) function has not served Cae’r Eglwys well within this community, the grassy long mound being covered in dog excrement, coke cairns and assorted rubbish. In short, it is a disgrace, even for South Wales. A ghostly chiming of bells appears to emanate from the sea and, recalling the association with a ‘church’ on the site (hence the name, of course), I doubt my senses for a moment. No, it’s definitely church bells! Oo-eer... But more of this later.

I head north-west towards the defile cut by the Marcross Brook, the serried strata of the crags of Castell y Dryw truly a natural wonder worth the price of admission alone (assuming you have to pay one, that is), despite the litter-despoiled environs of the water course. Hey, you mean people actually lived up there? Nah, surely not. The obvious way up is.... er, straight ‘up’ the eroded, steep left flank. However Carl’s bridge is already long gone and the water difficult to cross, the far bank treacherous in these conditions. In retrospect I’d therefore recommend heading right up the valley and ascending the far (right hand) flank of the site. Whichever way you do it, make sure you do, since this apparently minor, obscure enclosure occupying the summit of the ridge is defended by four – I concur with Carl, count ‘em – very powerful cross ramparts to the north. I’m utterly unprepared for this, I have to confess. There’s also a single bank – at least partially – defending the eastern flank. Jeez. Where have you been all my life, Nash Point? Oh, here.

But mankind’s puny defensive efforts pale into insignificance when I’m confronted with the glorious, lethal – bloody awe inspiring – mess Nature’s made of the western and southern flanks of this former fortress, crumbling cliff lines falling sheer to rocky pavements pounded by crashing breakers. Ha! The vertigo kicks in and I may as well be upon Crib Coch or The Cuillin... one false step in these conditions will mean death. Suffice to say this is not a place for children, then. As I head toward the southern apex of Castell y Dryw, the linear enclosure not very wide at all, it has to be said (although possibly much reduced through erosion to the east?), I again hear the ethereal peel of bells coming from the Bristol Channel. Contrary to some opinion, though, it seems I’m not mad after all. Yeah, the aforementioned rock pavements hold the key to this mystery, a bell clanging away eerily upon an offshore bhoy (hopefully) warning any nearby ships to take immediate, violent evasive action. What a swizz! Needless to say said bhoy was red, not green and white....

Moving north beyond the impressive defences and crossing a stone stile, I follow the cliff-line approx north-north-west and, upon passing through a second drystone wall, follow the field edge inland. Well, I couldn’t exactly head in the other direction, could I? A farm track is encountered running at a tangent with two reasonably preserved round barrows lying beside it to the left. OK, perhaps ‘reasonably’ is overdoing it a bit generally, but not in this part of the world. To the right of the field wall the OS map shows another, larger ‘tumulus’. Unfortunately this is the monument Carl rightly describes as being more or less no more.... an almost imperceptible rise in a soggy field. However at this moment a bank of sea mist sweeps in to engulf all in clammy vapour, thus rendering the landscape as ethereal and thought-provoking as many other more extreme sites I’ve visited.

Nash Point. Litter strewn, uncared for? Yes. But mind blowing in the right conditions? You’d better believe it. Neolithic (probably), Bronze Age and Iron Age. Take your pick....

Nash Point

Cae’r Eglwys, Nash Point

Agree with Gladman about the condition of this site. I had a look recently when I went to visit the nearby Hillfort and Barrows. Unless you specifically looked for it you wouldn’t know it was there.
Just a lumpy, rough patch of grass.

Nash Point

Visited 14.1.12

COFLEIN states there are four Barrows here. They may be on the O/S map and they may be here is spirit but they are certainly not here in body. The entire field is deeply ploughed and is a sea of sticky earth and mud. I am sorry to report that these Barrows are now completely ploughed out.

Nash Point

Visited 14.1.12

Although the sign read ‘Private Road – £1.50 all day parking’ I was confident there wouldn’t be any ticket collectors out this time of year. I was right although I was not alone – the car park on the headland was packed and I only just managed to find a place to park. This is clearly a poplar place to come on a cold by dry winter’s afternoon.

I had been here before to visit the lighthouse (well worth a visit) but this was the first time I could have had a proper close up look at the Promontory Fort. The previous undergrowth has now largely been removed.

The information board in the car park gives no mention of the Fort or the nearby Barrows.

I took the rough ‘path’ down from the car park, across a small wooden bridge, and up the steep incline towards the Fort. Luckily there are foot holds worn into the side of the slope so walking up wasn’t too difficult.

When I reached the top I was pleasantly surprised by how well preserved the defences were. I counted 4 sets of ditches ramparts – the outer rampart being about 1 metre high with the inner 3 about 2 metres high. The site isn’t that large although no doubt a large area has since been lost to coastal erosion. A bird of prey hovered silently only about 6 ft of the ground above the ramparts – a lovely sight.

Well worth a visit when in the area. One word of warning though – the cliffs are sheer and not fenced off. If coming with little ones you will need to be very careful.
The warning signs are there for a reason!

Nash Point

A fairly short but steep climb up the steps from the car park up to the headland. I couldn’t see any signs of banks/ditches but there was a lot of bushes about so perhaps they are there but hidden?

Folklore

Nash Point
Cliff Fort

“There is an ancient Cromlech, called The Old Church; and which, according to tradition, was anciently the place of Worship belonging to the Village..”

From: A Topographical Dictionary of The Dominion of Wales by Nicholas Carlisle, 1811.

The OS map shows ‘Cae’r Eglwys’, and this webpage on Glamorgan Walks
glamorganwalks.com/localfeatures6.htm
says that the remains of this ‘cromlech’ are actually of a long cairn, and can be seen in the Nash Point car park. Coflein complicates things by saying that the cairn could be associated with an old church that’s since dropped into the sea. Ooh it’s all very confused.

The promontory fort itself is called Nash Point, and the earthworks follow the cwm of Marcross/Marcroes brook back inland.

Miscellaneous

Nash Point
Cliff Fort

Cae’r Eglwys – a possible long cairn, Nash Point

Shockingly treated by locals, covered in cans, assorted rubbish and dog waste, this site, marked as an ‘earthwork’ upon the 1:25K OS map at SS91666825 is nevertheless cited by Coflein as a possible Neolithic long cairn, being an....

‘Oval stony mound about 50m long by 15m wide at east end and 8m wide at west end. (1999.05.21.RCAHMW/SLE). The mound has been mutilated by the digging of a narrow trench about its perimeter, possibly to rob a revetment. Associated with the site of an old church, possibly one lost to the sea. (J.Wiles 19.12.02)‘

Sites within 20km of Nash Point