Stone is not marked on the OS 1:25000 map, but is marked as “Stone” on larger scale editions. Site description from Coflein:
“Standing stone situated within an old field boundary and measuring 1.7m in height, 1.2m in thickness from NNW to SSE by 0.8m in width. The stone is a strikingly angular block of weathered stone and boasts fine views up the valley towards the SSE. Much field clearance surrounds its base.”
Mentioned in “The Ancient Stones of Wales” by Chris Barber and John Godfrey Williams (1989 Blorenge Books):
“Crossfoot Standing Stone in a field adjoining the road from Clyro to Newchurch near Crossfoot. ... R.C.A.M. No. 13 of Radnor describes it as 6 feet high but it is in fact less than 5 feet in height.”
Ironically Coflein gives it as “c.2.0m high”.
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/306305/details/CROSSFOOT+FARM%2C+STONE/
From “The Ancient Stones of Wales” by Chris Barber and John Godfrey Williams (1989 Blorenge Books):
“Maen Llwyd, a standing stone that stood in a field on the side of a trackway leading from a place called Maen Llwyd to Parsonage Farm (SO344156). It is marked as Maen Llwyd on the one inch Ordnance Survey map of 1831 and on the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 scale map of 1856.”
There is no sign of the stone on current OS maps, nor is it mentioned on Coflein.
There are actually three cairns up here, or at least two definites and a possible. The possible cairn at the summit of the hill is not shown on the OS 1/25000, but has terrific views of Fforest Fawr, the Brecon Beacons and the hills above the Taff valley.
From GGAT, north-south:
Carn Tyle Hir (SO02060558)
RCAHMW did not include it in the inventory as the remains were so insubstantial, and it was therefore not included in the field visit list. However, it could be seen when the two other sites in this group, PRNs 445m and 459m, on the adjoining property, were visited, appearing as a slight platform immediately under the trig point, preserved on its N and E sides, and about 0.2m high; though it is possible that this earthwork is entirely due to the trig point foundations.Cistfaen (SO0217505345)
A slight grass-covered mound with a very large hole (2.3m E-W x 1.5m and c0.7m deep) dug into the top. A couple of blocks of sandstone (up to 0.7m) can be seen on the surface, with more slabs and small blocks in the central hole. In 1959 RCAHMW noted four slabs each about 0.9m by 0.6m, lying on the surface, evidently the remains of the cist. Dimensions: 6.6m N-S x 6.2m, c0.7m high.Carn Pentyle Hir (SO0196905271)
A loose heap of blocks, slabs and boulders up to 0.6m across, mainly of sandstone and some quartzite; partly grass-covered. It is no longer possible to distinguish the kerbing and possible remains of the cist noted by RCAHMW in 1966, although a couple of large slabs up to 0.7m across can be seen in the middle and may represent the remains of the cist. It is situated on a very marked false crest at the top of a very steep hillside. Dimensions: 7.6m diameter, c0.6m high.
Not much info available on this one, 1:25000 OS map marks it as Standing Stone, Coflein is not exactly overwhelming:
“A slightly leaning standing stone, 1.0m high by 0.9m by 0.4m.”
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/305684/details/LOWER+NEUADD+RESERVOIR+STONE/
“Arian” means “silver”, so perhaps there be treasure? Or there was until it got robbed...
Site description from Coflein:
“Located in a shallow hollow within a forestry plantation, the cairn measures 18m in diameter and up to 1.7m high with a hollow centre 1.6m depp where it has been robbed. There are traces of kerbing.”
Site description from Coflein:
“A roughly oval hilltop enclosure, 120m by 80m. It is defined by scarp lines except on the north, where there is a bank and ditch and possible entrance approach. Below and to the south, the enclosure is abutted by a possibly contemporary annex, 60m by 40m, banked and ditched on the south. The relation of the enclosure and annex is obscured by the remains of linear quarrying.”
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/92029/details/Y+GAER%3BTWYN-Y-GAER%2C+ENCLOSURE%2C+DEFYNNOG/
A public footpath and bridleway run along the eastern side of the site.
Site description from Coflein:
“A sub-oval hill top enclosure, about 110m east-west by 88m, defined by scarps above steep natural slopes on the west, with a rampart & ditch, pierced by an axial entrance, on the east, where an internal quarry ditch is also in evidence.
Set in the midst of a warren of pillow mounds, within an extensive suggested field system”
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/305069/details/TWYN+Y+GAER%3BY+GAER%2C+PEN-PONT/
Iron age defended enclosure and field system. Site description from Coflein:
“A univallate, sub-oval enclosure, set on the summit of a mountain spur. It is subdivided by a scarp and ditch with a central entrance. There are remains of subsidiary enclosures, fields or paddocks, to the south-west, covering an area of about100m by 80m. An embanked trackway leads away to the north-west.”
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/92038/details/TWYN-Y-GAER%2C+SETTLEMENT%2C+TRALLWNG/
Probable standing stone, marked as such on OS 1:25000 map. Description from Coflein:
“An earthfast boulder, 1.4m by 0.6m by 0.9m, set on the high point of a spur and now upon a community boundary, thought to be a standing stone.”
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/304784/details/CWM+HENWEN%2C+MONOLITH/
Site description from Coflein:
“Tomen y Rhos. A cairn located on a ridge (NE-SW), at a point where there is a slight levelling out of the ground.
The cairn is a turf-covered stony mound measuring 15m in diameter and 1m high. The cairn is ringed with rushes indicating the possibility of a ditch, tangible traces of which are visible on the W and S. The centre of the mound is marked by an excavation crater measuring 7m across and 1m deep.
According to local information (1967) two urns containing cremations were dug from this cairn in around 1825 (Arch. Camb. 5 (1854), 132-3.
(source Os495card; SN82NW3)
David Leighton, RCAHMW, November 1992
3. Remains of a round cairn situated within open moorland on the Mynydd Myddfai ridge. Circular on plan and measuring about 15.5m in diameter and now standing up to 1.2m in height. There is a large central crater, presumably the result of antiquarian investigation.
Source: Cadw scheduling description. 09/11/2004 FF”
Site description from Coflein:
“Locate on the W edge of a natural shelf, ground rising to the SE. A cairn of loose stones with overall measurments 15m (N-S) by 13m and 1m high.
The centre of the mound has been disturbed in an area 3m by 2m and 0.3m deep.”
Coflein descriptions of the two cairns here:
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/84289/details/CARNAU%27R+GARREG+LAS%2C+CAIRN+1/
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/84290/details/CARNAU%27R+GARREG+LAS%2C+CAIRN+2/
Site description from Coflein, which appears to be based on a 1986 visit:
“An apparently undisturbed cairn measuring 11m in diameter and 2.2m high. It appears to consist of small loose boulders piled within a turf-consolidated ring.”
Site description from Coflein:
“Situated on a summit, some way back from the edge of the valley, the cairn measures 18m in diameter and up to 3.4m high. The centre has been mutilated by the construction of a hide or shelter.”
From “The Ancient Stones of Wales” – Chris Barber and John Godfrey Williams (1989 Blorenge Books):
“Maen Cilau is a massive monolith over 9 feet high just within the entrance gate to Abermorlais [sic] Park. It is also known as Carreg Fawr standing stone”.
According to Coflein the stone is not thought to be in its original position.
Site description from Coflein:
“Cwm Bran Camp is a relatively large, 124m by 96m, oval hillslope enclosure, defined by a ploughed-down bank and ditch, with an entrance on the NW, up-slope, side.”
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/304516/details/CWM+BRAN+CAMP%3B+CEFN-Y-GAER%2C+ENCLOSURE/
Site details from Coflein:
“Univallate contour fort, resting on a scarp to the E. From the western entrance further ramparts emerge, forming a ‘splayed antenna’ frontage to the fort, whilst enclosing further areas to the N and S.”
Site info from Coflein:
“An sub-oval largely bivallate enclosure, c.250m NE-SW by 57-112m NW-SE, defined by banks and ditches, tripled to the SW, with an entrance on the SE, where the defences are multiplied, extending c.100m SE.”
Small univallate hillfort, possibly linked with nearby Coed y Defaid to the south east.
Site information from Coflein:
“A turf-covered stony mound with dimensions 13m (E-W) by 10m and up to 1.3m high. No obvious ditch or berm can be seen, though the surrounding field has clearly been ploughed, probably up close to the mound which was perceived as an obstacle (1999 visit).
20m to the S is a modern mound capped with a man-hole cover.
Note: when visited in 1989 pipe-laying trenches had been dug across the field in question, one glancing the SW edge of the mound, and meeting at right angles at the mound with man-hole cover.”
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/93418/details/TWYN+PANT-TEG%2C+ROUND+BARROW/
James Dyer (“Discovering Prehistoric England” (Shire 2001)) mentions that these earthworks enclose a massive 80 hectares and may have been the tribal headquarters of the Dobunni, occupied in the early years CE.
A further pair of stones lies to the NW of the stone row. They are marked on the OS 1:25000 as a pair of black dots, but not labelled.
Details from Coflein:
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/261687/details/RHOS-Y-GELYNNEN%2C+STONE/
coflein.gov.uk/en/site/261668/details/RHOS-Y-GELYNNEN%2C+STONE+II/
[NB: “Stone II” is standing, see photo.]
A whole mass of contradictory information here. There is a supposed standing stone called The Twizzle Stone, which as Rhiannon says is given the map ref SO910053 in “Old Stones of the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean” – D.P. Sullivan (1999 Reardon). Sullivan speculates about the name, suggesting it could have been a boundary stone or could even have come from the local family name Twissel or Twyssell.
There is also a long barrow at SO914051, marked on the OS 1:25000 map. In “Long Barrows of the Cotswolds” (2004 Tempus) the usually reliable Tim Darvill states that there was a “small scale antiquarian excavation in 1863 prior to its total destruction”. On the other hand, Lesley Grisell visited in 1959, recording that the site “consists of large hummocks and hollows, really now unrecognisable as a barrow”.
None of the accounts of the barrow refer to the Twizzle Stone itself though, so whether it was actually anything to do with the barrow or not I can’t work out.
Great name though.
Excavated between 1865 and 1875, contained human bones of two adults and a child, as well as bones of ox and sheep, burnt stones, a quartz pebble and undecorated potsherds.
[Info from “Gloucestershire Barrows” – H. O’Neill and L.V. Grinsell (1960) Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society.]
Tucked away behind the farmhouse, this long barrow is not visible from the road, nor from the bridleway on the opposite side of the valley to the south-west. It is situated on the edge of a steep sided valley, down-slope from the top of the hill in typical Cotswold long barrow fashion.
Pair of standing stones 40m apart, lying in small piece of woodland on the east side of the road running N-S from Llanbedr to Llangenau, in the Grwyne Fawr valley.
The northern stone is 1.88m high, the southern 0.84m high. However, it appears from Coflein that the southern stone may have been destroyed.
Small fort (defended enclosure?) with banks and ditches on the north and west sides. It cuts off the tip of a promontory of Pen Tir in the Black Mountains, but is actually very low lying compared to the rest of Pen Tir to the north.
Description from Coflein:
“Located on a broad terrace on the NW-facing scarp of Mynydd Llangynidr.
The row comprises five upright stones, closely spaced, and is 5m long, aligned NE-SW. The tallest is about 1m high, the shortest 0.5m. At the SW end of the row is what appears to be a fallen monolith. It measures 2.9m long (NW-SE), 0.8m wide tapering to a point at its SE end, and 0.6m thick.
Some 44m to the NE of the row, and roughly on the same bearing, is an outlier set loosely in the peat.”
Apologies for poor translation, but the name appears to mean something like “large white stone in the heather” (carreg = stone; wen = white; fawr = large; Y R(h)ugos = clumps of heather). I’m sure someone can do better!
Tall, tapering monolith (2.3m tall), leaning slightly to the east, with a “wafer-like” appearance. Set in an open moorland landscape surrounded by many other bronze age cairns and standing stones. Lies just to the west of the road and is easily accessible.
“Llech” translates as “slab” in English, “waun” is “moor”, so Stone Slab on the Moor is an approximate is rather dull translation of the name.
Chunky standing stone 1.7m high on the boundary of Breconshire and Monmouthshire. It has the letters “B” and “M” inscribed, reflecting the two counties.
Pair of cairns 14m and 16m in diameter on the summit of Mynydd y Garn-fawr (503 metres) to the north east of Blaenavon. “Defaid” translates as “sheep” in English.
Standing Stone (1.8m tall) in Bwlch village. According to Coflein, traces of Ogam and Latin inscriptions have been claimed, but not substantiated, and all markings on the stone are attributed to recent agricultural usage (used as a cattle rubbing post).
A number of other standing stones are found in the vicinity, the Llangynidr Stone, the Tretower Stone and the Fish Stone are all within 4 km. Bwlch is also on a Roman road.
Cairn situated on western promontory of the Black Mountains, above Talgarth. A possible cist exists within the cairn, measuring 1m x 0.7m. The cairn has a diameter of 8m.
Long and narrow hillfort overlooking the Usk Valley near Talybont, accessible by a public bridleway running through the centre of the fort.
Details from Coflein:
Listed in “Gloucestershire Barrows” – H. O’Neil and LV Grinsell (1960 Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Arc. Soc.). They list two round barrows, the west one 20 paces in diameter and tree covered, the east 10 paces in diameter. The eastern barrow was only 6 inches high when they visited in 1955 and 1958 and I couldn’t see it from across the valley.
Small defensive earthwork of possible Iron Age date on the summit of Castle Hill. The earthwork is accessible from a public footpath from Glasshouse, and from the Wysis Way path that skirts the north side of the hill. A short distance to the west stands the instantly recognisable May Hill, a landmark that can be seen from many miles around and from many directions.
It is however possible that the earthwork is a motte site of Saxon/early Norman date. I have found no record of any excavation that would help to establish the date more accurately.
“On the summit of Camp Hill in Lydney Park, one mile south-west of the town, there are the remains of a fine Roman villa and temple, protected by earthworks running across the promontory and along its eastern side. On the west side there are no earthworks, the escarpment of the hill being very steep. On the north side, where the ridge of the hill is prolonged, there is a deep ditch outside the mound, and at a little distance from this is a second mound. The area thus defended measures about 280 yards by 120 yards, the buildings occupying the south-eastern portion. The situation is admirably selected for defence, the steep slopes of the hill forming a difficult approach on three sides, and water being easily obtained from a fine stream running on the north side. An approach road is still to be traced running up to the camp, and corresponding with the upper end of this is a gateway in the outer wall of the Roman villa. This road has been considerably lowered in comparatively recent times, but part of the original trackway can be seen just before entering the camp. This was doubtless a very important position during the Roman occupation of this country. The series of coins found extend from Augustus, who died A.D. 14, to Arcadius, who died A.D. 408.”
From “Archaeological Handbook of the County of Gloucester” – George Witts (1883)
Detailed description from Pastscape:
From “Herefordshire Register of Countryside Treasures” (1981 H&WCC):
“Westington Camp, Grendon Bishop
Small for a hill fort, about 1 acre, and rampart has been ploughed out and ditch only shows up as darker soil mark. Slopes of spur, particularly on the north west side, seems to have been scarped to improve defences.
Neolithic flints and axe heads have been found on this site and reference to the landowner should be made about such finds.”
From “Herefordshire Register of Countryside Treasures” (1981 H&WCC):
“Wall Hills Camp, Ledbury
This camp is defended on S and W by steep scarped slopes. Inner enclosure of 3.6 ha. (9 acres) is defended on S by double rampart with ditch, partly filled with water. Further area to N of 6.4 ha. (16 acres) is defended by less well marked single rampart and ditch. Interior of fort is cultivated. Outer enclosure has two turned-in entrances, the inner one having entries at E and W ends.
Location
On hill overlooking and 1.5 miles W of Ledbury along farm track from road to E of Flights Farm.”
From “Herefordshire Register of Countryside Treasures” (1981 H&WCC):
“Uphampton Hill Fort, Docklow
Only a low bank, 1-2 metres high, now marks the site of what has been claimed to be an Iron-age hillfort. It has been suggested that the camp may have been started, but never completed.
Location
Along overgrown footpaths from minor road to Hatfield at E side of camp and in wood on N side of hill top between Pudlestone and Docklow.”
Very low-lying “hillfort” (barely 25m above sea level), in the triangular wedge of land between the rivers Severn and Avon. It was high enough to stay above the flood waters in 2007!
Information from “Gloucestershire Barrows” – H. O’Neil and L.v. Grinsell (1960 Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society):
Excavated 1880. “Two dsw [dry stone walls] were found running nearly N/S., to the circumference in at least one direction. Between these walls was a cist bounded apparently by a substance resembling concrete which stretched from one wall to the other. In this cist (?) was a primary interment of an adult female and child, cremated, and covered by the remains of the pyre. The stones of the wall had been reddened and calcined by fire, and there was a layer of black ashes 1/2in. thick beneath these walls. Placed superficially beneath the top of the barrow were 3 secondary or intrusive interments – 2 cremations probably of children, and an unburnt interment. Rolleston [excavator] remarked on the resemblance between the internal arrangements in this barrow and those in the long barrows where cremation had been practised.”
From “Shropshire – An Archaeological Guide” -Michael Watson (2002 Shropshire Books):
“The hilltop had been a place of meaning to local Bronze Age communities long before the heights were fortified. Two ring cairns on the W hill summit are evdence for this. The first, disturbed and only partially surviving is surmounted by a modern OS trig. pillar. What remains of a central low mound is surrounded by the E arc of a stony ring bank, originally perhaps up to 28m in diameter. 80m to the SE, the other cairn is a low circular flat topped mound of earth, 23m across, with remains of a stone kerb around its edge. The excavation trench of 1932 is still visible and this located a 2.3m deep circular pit beneath the centre of the mound, but no direct evidence for the monument’s date. The SW quadrant is truncated.”
The Giant’s Chair itself is a natural rock feature.
Roughly oval shaped Iron Age univallate hill fort covering approximately 9 acres with entrances to the north east and west.
Small hillfort (about 0.5 acre) with irregular defences, south end protected by scarp and natural cliff. Overlooks the River Teme.
In “In The March and Borderland of Wales” (1905 Archibald Constable & Co), A.G. Bradley mentions that there are a couple of artificial passages cut into the limestone a little way downstream (near Downton Castle) known locally as “the Roman Caves”.
Round barrow, topped with trees. A possible association exists with Bush Bank standing stone, 2.5km to the NE.
In 1981 (“Register of Herefordshire Countryside Treasures” H&WCC) the barrow was recorded as being 9ft high and 30ft in diameter. It has not been excavated.