thesweetcheat

The viewpoint is the rocky summit of Cyfrwy.

In its landscape context from the summit of Pen y Gadair (Cadair Idris). The larger lake on the left is Llyn y Gadair.

Carnedd Lwyd cairns on the shoulder of Tyrrau Mawr, from Pen y Gadair. Cyfrwy fills the centre of the picture.

Craig-yr-Aderyn, seen from the summit of Cadair Idris.

The northern cairns from the southern. There are some huge blocks in this southern cairn.

Tyrrau Mawr summit from the southern cairn.

The enormous mound of the southern cairn, or cairns, most likely.

The southern cairn, or one of them if it is in fact two monuments merged into one.

The impressive NE cairn, looking towards Cyfrwy and the cloud-shrouded Cadair Idris summit. A wind-buffeted Postie provides scale while avoiding being blown over the cliffs.

The seemingly unexcavated NW cairn.

Tarrenhendre (centre) from the summit of Tyrrau Mawr on the Cadair Idris ridge.

Craig-y-Llyn is the summit left of centre. Perched high above the cliffs and Llyn Cyri, what a place for a monument. Seen from Tyrrau Mawr summit.

The views from the cairns are astonishing, especially northwards. Here the Rhinogs and Y Garn frame the view towards central Snowdonia, with the Afon Mawddach below.

The fort is at the left of the dark ridge in the middle ground, the name translating into English as something like “Wall of the long ridge” – makes sense from this angle.

The fort is towards the left-hand end of the ridge. Seen from the lower slopes on the Pony Path.

The northern of the three Bathampton Down barrows may be hidden in this nettlebed, but it was pouring with rain by this point so I didn’t investigate further.

The SE of the two southern barrows, slightly more impressive than its pair.

The SE of the two southern barrows.

Another view of the NW of the two southern barrows, looking towards the SE barrow (behind the hedge).

The near-invisible NW of the two southern barrows. The path runs right over the top of it, but I doubt many passing dog walkers notice it. The path leads to the Sham Castle folly.

At its eastern end, the rampart has been destroyed by quarrying, leaving it literally undermined.

Entrance at the south-eastern corner of the site.

The southern rampart.

At its western end, the rampart has been manicured to make it more golf-friendly.

The western end of the northern rampart.

Standing on the northern rampart, looking east.

The northern rampart, looking NW towards Bath.

The overgrown northern rampart.

Looking westwards along the northern rampart, which follows the tree-line.

Bathampton Down, seen across the River Avon from Batheaston.

The SE rampart, looking south.

The SE rampart, Batheaston Down beyond to the left. More cows obligingly provide scale.

The northern rampart relies on natural slopes for any defensive strength.

The northern rampart, patrolled by vigilant guard-cow in protective mother mode.

The maze, with rampart behind.

The natural bedrock is exposed along the SW side of the hill, perhaps due to quarrying. The stone is limestone, its chalk-like whiteness due to a lichen covering.

Looking across the Avon valley to Bathampton Down, which is also topped with an Iron Age settlement earthwork.

The low remains of a rampart at the southern corner of the fort.

Unusually, the NT own the top of the hill, but not its slopes.

Approaching the SE rampart, from the Batheaston direction.

The final view.

One way to get the circle to yourself – come in pouring rain just before dark.

Highlighting the band of yellow lichen on some of the stones.

Grasmoor hides its becairned head in the clouds. Seen across Buttermere to the south.

Further landscape context, showing proximity to Castlerigg stone circle. Viewpoint is Lonscale Fell.

Castelrigg seen from the summit of Lonscale Fell. It is apparent from these nearby tops how well-placed the circle is.

Carrock Fell in shadow, centre, seen from Jenkin Hill below Skiddaw.

Looking towards Binsey from the summit of Longside.

The most northerly outpost of the Northern Fells. Binsey from the path above the Ravenstone Hotel on our way up Skiddaw.

Towards the Eastern Fells and Helvellyn.