GLADMAN

The powerful western flank. Although one has to persevere to achieve any viewpoints, clearly, Midsummer Hill is a first-rate hill fort.

Looking towards South Wales from the southwestern arc. Eastnor ‘Castle’ (centre left) and the Obelisk (centre right) can be seen beyond.

Looking east across another section of the eastern defences completely reclaimed by nature...

Eastern ramparts... further progress obviously not possible due to lack of suit of armour.

The equally powerful eastern defences... trust me.

The monumental, albeit utterly overgrown, north-western defences...

The powerful western flank subsumed in a mass of bramble and fern, looking approx north.

Looking south, southwestern defences – the only section currently (Sept 2026) free of industrial-strength vegetation.

Inner from the outer bank, looking north(ish)...

Cheltenham can be seen beyond

Highlighting the powerful outer ditch...

Very impressed by these defences...

These are powerful ramparts. The ridiculous golf course ‘hole’ can be seen top right.

The exquisite eastern site. Missed this in 2012 so recommend approaching from Oldbury lane.

The southern site...

Southern rock shelter...

Southern rock shelter.

Overhang above the southern rock shelter...

The southern of the other two rock shelters... think Two Neanderthal Tent. If tents were made of sandstone, that is.

Eastern rock shelter.... the first encountered if approaching from Oldbury Lane

The eastern rock shelter. I assumed the woodwork is a somewhat later arrangement.....

The eastern rock shelter....

The mighty Cairn 4.

It’s fair to say The Citizen Cairn has seen quite a few upland cairns over the years... and these do not disappoint by comparison. Thanks to TSC for highlighting the need to come here, despite the antennae...

Cairn 5.... with Carn Fadryn looming beyond

Looking across Cairn 3 to Cairn 2, from Cairn 4. Very, very windy!

Hell’s Mouth emerges from the low cloud.... from Cairn 4, I think. Quite why the Devil gets such great real estate is anyone’s guess....

The wondrous Cairn 4 from (the not shabby itself) Cairn 3.

Looking approx north to Mynydd Rhiw and its wondrous cairns... presumably the drystone wall ‘filling in the gap’ is on the line of the original defensive barrier?

Looking to the approx southwest. Very, very windy....

To the northeast. Porth Neigwl – aka ‘Hell’s Mouth’ – can be seen beyond.

Part of what I reckoned were pretty substantial defences to the northeast.

Can’t really say fairer than that...

The western flank has a very ‘Cornish’ vibe to it...

Well, waddya know? So just WHO was supposed to be able to view this cairn back in the day, then?

I spy... with my little eyes... possibly the most obscure cairn I’ve ever had the privilege to see. Perched high up on the north-eastern shoulder of Tyrrau Mawr (Craig Las), Cadair Idris.

Looking across the interior to Tal-y-Fan...

Towards Drum and Foel Fras. Note the remains of a possible – nay, probable – cist, centre foreground. Shame on those criminals who vandalised this monument by gouging out this ‘shelter’... and shame on those who tacitly condone those actions – whether through stupidity or ignorance – by continuing to cower inside. Dress appropriately, you clowns!

Llwytmor and Llyn Anafon seen across the cairn under very hostile conditions. Just the way it should be.

Close up of what may well be the orthostat of a former cist among the criminal desecration of the monument’s interior.

This is a very substantial upland monument, to be fair. Drum (Carnedd Pen y Borth Goch) – and the oddly cairn-less Foel Fras – rear up upon arguably the procession to end them all.

The sublime scree facade from Garreg Fawr....