Located a little south of the substantial Gaer Fawr enclosure, this is shown upon OS mapping and, despite Coflein’s reticence to assign a prehistoric providence (possibly due to the surmounting apparent field clearance), I reckon the footprint is pretty conclusive.
GLADMAN
Despite there being no reference to this ‘long cairn’ upon Coflein, I must admit this ticked every consideration ‘box’ I look for nowadays. It’s therefore of interest to note that the good people at Dyfed Archaeological Trust feel the same way – PRN 11430 states:
“A well preserved trapezoidal long cairn, orientated SW-NE, with the broadest end looking NE. The tail end of the monument faces SW and looks out to the sea, whilst tapering to a width of 5m. At the end of the tomb which increases to a width of 8m, there appears to be a shallow forecourt area, 3.5m wide and 3.5m deep, which is delimited on either side by two distinct horns. In other similar monument traditions (e.g the Cotswold-Severn tombs) this forecourt area is generally considered to be the spatial focus of the ceremonial and ritual activities which took place at these sites during the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The forecourt also looks towards the edge of the limestone escarpment immediately below which, Tomb D (3825) is located, which makes use of the natural outcrop for part of its form. A central spine runs along the length of the cairn and there are indications of the tumble of some of the cairn material on both sides. Although there is no immediately apparent evidence for an orthostatic chamber or passage within the monument, it is possible that there may be one or more cist chambers within the body of the cairn material instead, a feature familiar at other Neolithic long cairns known from a Welsh context. There is some damage at the SW end of the cairn where the cairn appears to have been dug into on both sides, 2 metres in from the tail. All the evidence points to this site as being a genuine Neolithic long cairn rather than a more modern clearance cairn. Bestley PFRS 2001”
This is a small round cairn crowning the ridge overlooking the massive Carn Saith-wraig to the northwest. It is itself easily overlooked, but this would be a shame if you happen to be visiting the latter, since a nearby quartzite stone (and potential additional cairn) hint at a mini-prehistoric complex here.
A compendium of DAT (PRN 8528) reckons:
“A small round cairn on the highest point of a broad ridge at 461m above OD. The site consists of a rough platform of large stones....
[with] a diameter of c.8m and a height of 0.4m.... The cairn is intervisible with standing stone 9117 and another possible prehistoric cairn, 9118, to the S and SW of this site respectively. The site enjoys extensive views out down the Doethie valley and over to the Brecon Beacons.”
Standing – or rather reclining – a little distance away from the obvious Blaen Nant-y-rhiw cairn (there is apparently another possible cairn which I could not positively vouch for here, too), this is a ‘bonus’ site to be enjoyed in this wild, out of the way spot. Great, sweeping views only curtailed by forestry upon the northern arc. Combine with a visit to the wondrous Carn Saith-wraig (starting from the old church at Soar y Mynydd) and you’re onto a winner.
As with the legendary Cerrig Cyfamod Glyndwr further north upon Pumlumon, whether this represents a natural erratic... or a boulder moved to this position (there is an apparent mound beneath the stone) is a question I guess only proper excavation can answer.
DAT (PRN 9117) reckons:
“A large recumbent white quartz boulder, facing N-S, and intervisible with prehistoric cairns PRN 9118 and PRN 8528 which lie a short distance away to the SW and N respectively. The stone is situated on a small knoll which forms part of a ridge running across an undulating high plateau with extensive views, particularly in the southern sector down the Doethie valley. The view to the N is obscured by forestry. The stone measures 1.8m in length N-S, 1.15m wide at is widest point E-W and 0.7m in height at its northern end, tapering to 0.55m in height at its southern tip. Extensive views are achieved from the site which may well have enjoyed a 360 degree panorama, and the Brecon Beacons were clearly visible to the SE. NC 2001.”
This, a somewhat shy, retiring monument (owing to its more or less complete grassy mantle) is nonetheless well worth engineering a horseshoe walk to visit, while also checking-out the cairns at Carn y Groes and Esgair-y-graig. The exquisite placement within the landscape is the icing on the cake, so to speak.
CPAT reckons: “This cairn is grass-covered and obscured from view but still survives relatively intact. It lies on a gentle northeast facing slope and the land dropping away to the southeast. It measures 9.0 metres [c29ft] in diameter and 0.3 metres high (Trysor, 2014).”
Now there’s always something a little more exciting – should one happen to be excited by this kind of thing – when a monument is accorded a personalised name upon OS mapping. However, that’s not to say the remains will always live up to the heightened expectations...
On balance, I reckon Castell y Garn, the remains of a ring cairn upon a c1,620ft summit between St. Harmon and Bwlch-y-Sarnau, manages to not disappoint. Reached by a stony track from the latter hamlet (including a short, sharp deviation uphill), the setting is airy and rather spectacular, with panoramic views to the Wye Valley and Cwmdeuddwr Hills to the west. The monument itself, however, is initially rather conspicuous by its apparent absence, with just a mutilated residue standing before a fence junction. Gaze beyond said fence, however, and a rather large diameter (apparent) ring cairn will be discerned.
There is no doubting the prehistoric provenance since CPAT notes:
“Williams [1858] records it as ‘a most perfect cairn accompanied with a stone chest, human bones, black earth and other corresponding appendages.’”
Sure, the cairn has clearly suffered much trauma since then, but thankfully still survives. CPAT adds:
“Site seems to be a ring cairn with a low bank 1.2m wide and 0.25m high visible most clearly in SE quadrant. Elsewhere, there is a low bank forming the outer edge, but no inner edge to the ring bank. Two fence lines cross the site and join in the middle. Although eroded in the past the threat is not so serious now as 10 years ago (CPAT, 3/8/00).”
CPAT (PRN: 1513) have this to say about this deceptively substantial cairn, scheduled in 2004:
“Artificial mound c. 9m diameter x 0.8m high, on which are what appear to be kerbstones defining a cairn 5.5m in diameter X 0.4m high, offset to south east side of the mound. A large modern cairn at west side of the Bronze Age cairn is c. 1.5m high x 2.2m diameter. Bronze Age cairn is in good condition although damaged by construction of the modern cairn. The kerb and much of the interior appear to be intact. Situated on local summit with good views to south and east”
Two complementary – yet nowadays VERY different – prehistoric monuments still grace the rolling chalk of Boyton Down, rising due south of the eponymous Wiltshire village... although to be fair, a glance at the map will show Sherrington has an equal association.
Yeah, such is the extreme, overgrown state of the older Neolithic long barrow, that The Citizen Cairn had to double-check said map to confirm he was not going doolally, despite it measuring in at almost 150ft in length!
Thankfully, no such issues are prevalent with the very fine (10ft high) Bronze Age round barrow still standing tall a little to the NNW. Indeed, that is so large it was found to contain a primary cremation, plus thirteen later (Saxon?) inhumations upon excavation. Once again, clear evidence that folk back then were quite happy to venerate the traditions of those who went before... either that, or maybe simply fearful not to upset the old gods?
Worth seeing...
Located to the immediate west of the Crowdy Reservoir, facing the dam, I neglected to visit this round barrow when last in the area visiting the Advent ‘Triple Barrow’ during 2017. The fact that this decision was in error became all too obvious as soon as I clapped eyes upon its substantial profile this time around, the monument apparently getting on for 9ft in height with a diameter of c62ft.
Historic England reckons:
“The monument includes a bowl barrow, situated on a south east facing slope, overlooking the valley of a tributary to the River Camel. The bowl barrow survives as a circular mound measuring 19m in diameter and up to 2.7m m high on the downslope side. It has a largely-buried surrounding quarry ditch, from which material to construct the mound was derived, measuring up to 4m wide and 0.2m deep. In the centre if the mound is an early excavation hollow.
Sources: HER:- PastScape Monument No:-434434”
This is a somewhat shy, retiring monument located right beside the road heading towards the wonders of Rough Tor from the former WW2 RAF airfield upon Davidstow Moor... so easily missed/ignored.
That, however, would be a travesty you’ll regret as soon as you get back home... for these three closely related (if not entirely co-joined) bowl barrows – hence ‘Triple Barrow’ – form a very rare monument, indeed.... in fact, I’m only aware of one other (seriously overgrown) example way done in Surrey, upon Turners Hill, near Farnham (although there are three co-joined round cairns at Pen y Garn-goch, near Llanwrtyd Wells). Are there any more?
So, travellers should watch out for this slumbering enigma and, in addition, make the short detour to view the rather splendid round barrow (just the one, mind) located before the Crowdy Reservoir Dam. There is, incidentally, another monument a little further on past the water works, to the left.
Historic England has this to say:
“The monument includes three bowl barrows, situated on the upper southern slopes of a ridge, overlooking a tributary to the River Camel. The three barrows, two of which are contiguous and the third immediately adjacent, are aligned west to east and spaced so closely they are almost a ‘triple’ barrow. The barrows survive as three circular mounds enclosed by an outer, oval partially-buried ditch. The mounds from west to east measure 24m in diameter and 1.3m high; 18m in diameter and 1.2m high; and 19m in diameter and 1.3m high. All three mounds have pits and trenches associated with early excavations or robbing. The surrounding outer quarry ditch is up to 3.2m wide and 0.6m.
The mound and ditch to the south east are cut slightly by a hedge and road.
Sources: HER:- PastScape Monument No:-434423”
Wondrously located overlooking Nant Paradwys, this large cairn is a little under a half-mile south of the fine Esgair Ceiliog Ring Cairn (not shown on current 1:25k mapping). Combine a visit to both and a superb day hanging out in wild upland surroundings can be yours for relatively manageable effort.
The more adventurous, however, may wish to consider extending the walk to Carnau (just under one and a half miles further along the cwm at SN88955780), this providing the added bonus of an audience with the enigmatic stones at Bwlch-y-Ddau-Faen (SN89425830) en-route. There are many other route choices available, to be fair.
The latest Coflein record states:
“Cairn some 8m diameter by 1.8m high. Sheep shelter built at centre. (CPAT 1982). Evidence of cairn kerb still in place. Stone sheep shelter approx. 4m in diameter x 1m high. (CAP 2004)”
The Cwmdeuddwr Hills of Y Elenydd – ‘The Green Desert’ of Mid Wales – can be confusing places, even to those who consider themselves reasonably experienced in the locale.. so, first things first: please ensure you are not seduced by the relatively low height of these tops and erroneously believe you do not need map, compass and waterproofs. No intention here to teach anyone to suck eggs, as they say, but even the late, great, Wynford Vaughan-Thomas experienced complete navigational meltdown around these parts.
To emphasise the point, take a look at the Coflein records for Gro Hill and, in particular, the number of “Either not located at time of field visit or mis-sited” statements. Yeah, even experienced field archaeologists appear bemused by these hills.
The issues with Gro Hill are undoubtedly exacerbated by the fact that the OS has not recorded any prehistoric cairns here upon current mapping. Yet here they are, although possibly not where Coflein has them logged! The views on a clear day are sublime, the vibe delivering exactly what has brought me to these tops time and time again.
As a general overview, Coflein reckons:
“Gro Hill Cemetery comprises the remains of at least three small round burial cairns. The largest cairn is situated to the West and measures about 5.5 meters in diameter and up to about 0.4 meters in height. Within this cairn is an open visible cist measuring 0.9 meters from NW to SE. The southernmost cairn measures 3.5 meters in diameter and up to 0.2 meters in height. The easternmost cairn measures 4.5 meters in diameter and up to 0.4 meters in height. This cairn also has an open visible cist measuring 1 meter. All three cairns have suffered disturbance or robbing.
Source: Cadw scheduling description. [Foster/RCAHMW 18.09.2008]”
Bwlch-y-Ddau-Faen – the ‘Two Stone Pass’ – is an enigmatic place. Assuming wild, windswept moorland a couple of miles from the nearest road is your thang? Firstly there is a natural spring here amongst the peat hags; secondly, a number of standing stones protrude from said peat to varying degrees forming an irregular ‘ring’, as opposed to ‘circle. So why the colloquial reference to ‘Two Stones’ when there are substantially more than a pair of stones here? As I said, enigmatic place, augmented by a fine, sweeping view toward the Great Escarpment of South Wales dominating the southern horizon. Reassuring to find everything in its right place, so to speak. For what it’s worth, I’m tempted to think what we have here is a typical, if disrupted upland Welsh ring. With numerous diminutive orthostats barely breeching the current surface it just feels ‘right’, you know? It is difficult to hypothesise a satisfactory reason why these tiny stones should otherwise be here. But there you are. All is silent now, almost overwhelmingly so; however the location is significant, the past cacophony of untold drover’s agitated cattle seemingly hanging in the wind just out of human audible frequency.
Refer to notes for nearby Carnau for further context of this intriguing stone setting:
Beautifully sited to the south of the meandering River Wylye, just east of the village of Sherrington, this would be a first-rate monument to visit... if only someone in the locality would see fit to undertake a little pruning of the overwhelming mantle of industrial-strength vegetation once in a while.
This, however, would appear unlikely in the extreme... if only to judge by the farcically sour-faced short woman clearly seriously affronted by me having the temerity to drive down a public road in HER village while she let her dog run out of control. Ignore such ignorant fools, I say... those whose money and privilege cannot even accord them basic good manners.
Yeah, combine a sojourn here with a visit to the wondrous Corton long barrow... or the great Boyton Down Round Barrow (the nearby Boyton Down long barrow was even more overgrown than this one)... and happy days.
I approached via the track ascending from Corton village past Foley’s Cottage – sadly no sign of Eddie Murphy – an unlocked gate eventually allowing access to the appropriate field on the right, that’s just prior to reaching the bridleway descending to Model Farm.
Despite the images here upon TMA, I was somewhat taken aback by the substantial nature of the monument, the obvious damage notwithstanding. The position is excellent, as is the vibe.
With Corton being just a short diversion from the A303... and with limited parking available in a layby near the Dove Inn... I did wonder why I hadn’t been to this wondrous place before?
Set more-or-less due west of the magnificent Eastern White Barrow, the assumption is most folks would look to combine a visit to both, right? Note, however, that the monuments stand approx three quarters of a mile apart, a not insignificant distance upon upland Dartmoor.
Having been used as the building source – not to mention foundation – of a drystone shelter for peat cutters during the 1800’s, the interior of the monument has not faired well. Neither, for that matter, has the former Petre’s Cross, the remains of which can still be seen.
Historic England has this to say:
“This monument includes a round cairn, wayside cross and shelter situated on the summit of a ridge known as Quickbeam Hill. The round cairn survives as a circular stony mound measuring up to 21m in diameter and 1.7m high. The wayside cross is positioned on the cairn, but is inverted. It measures 1.3m high and is of rectangular section with both arms broken off. It was one of four set up by Sir William Petre, who had purchased Brent Manor after the Dissolution of the Monasteries from Buckfast Abbey in 1557 and was used to mark the bounds of the Forest of Dartmoor in 1557 and 1786. The round cairn has been disturbed by the construction of a two roomed shelter within the structure of the cairn itself measuring 11.5m long by 4.7m wide and having a fireplace and chimney. This was constructed in about 1847 by workers at the Red Lake peat ties, in connection with the Naptha Works at Shipley, who re-used the cross as a chimney lintel at the same time. Following the partial destruction of the building the cross was re-erected.”
I approached from the large car park at Shipley Bridge to the approx south-east (SX 681629), a formerly pleasing starting point which is sadly now being used as a revenue cash cow for the National Park... biting the hand that feeds... of tourists bound for the Avon Dam Reservoir and serious walkers alike... and, furthermore, disproportionately impacting access to the countryside for the less well off, for which £4 is a significant additional outlay. Yeah, speaking to a number of locals passing by, the car park charge is apparently VERY unpopular with residents. But since when did the wishes of people who actually live in the locale count for anything? So... given that fiscal targets must be met to provide creature comforts for tourists, at the very least the machine MUST be able to accept card payments!!! My lack of cash placed me in quite a dilemma until a local stepped in to assist me. Shame on those incompetents failing to maintain this ‘facility’ and discriminating against those not meeting their limited criteria. Simply not good enough.
That negativity aside, the trek to c1,548ft Quickbeam Hill is upon a clearly defined, gently rising path, so should offer no technical difficulties except in poor weather. Note, however, that the main track does not directly access the cairn, the intervening terrain proving rather hard going. In retrospect, it’s probably a good idea to gain the crest of the ridge sooner, rather than later, in order to minimise this. Or perhaps I’m simply getting old?
As for the cairn:
Despite being aware it is a ‘whopper’ from the distant view enjoyed from the ‘Heap of Sinners’ cairn upon Huntingdon Warren a few years back, I’m nevertheless pretty well overwhelmed upon arrival by just how big it actually is. The views to be had from the summit are far-reaching, the isolated upland vibe exquisite. Historic England notes:
“This monument includes a round cairn known as Eastern White Barrow situated on a prominent ridge on the north eastern side of Quickbeam Hill. The cairn survives as a circular stony mound measuring up to [c85ft] 26m in diameter and [11.5ft] 3.5m high. A secondary cylindrical marker cairn is situated on top of the summit allegedly built by soldiers during the Second World War. In 1240, 1609 and 1796 the cairn was one of the bounds of the Forest of Dartmoor.”
Mr Cane was clearly on a bit of a downer following his visit here some years back now... hey, it happens, doesn’t it just? However, since the vegetation (judging by his images) was fortunately less overwhelming during my early Spring sojourn, I found myself in a position to disagree. Yeah, I liked it here and would recommend coming, this despite the woods proving a lot more popular with (non-antiquarian-minded) folk than I had anticipated.
Indeed, the eastern of the southern pair (of those monuments marked upon the map, that is – there are, apparently, a further three within the environs of West Wood not troubling the cartographers for whatever reason) is a particularly fine specimen of a bowl barrow, complete with encircling ditch. Its neighbour to the west, although not of comparable stature, is pretty substantial, too... the northernmost example, completing the OS annotated trio, slightly less so.
Access is straighforward from the B2068 – a Roman Road, aka ‘Stone Street’ – although the downside to that demonstrable obsession with ‘straightness’ is the traffic fair motors past; hence, there is some traffic noise to deny a perfect ambience. Note also that it is unwise to attempt to take a direct line (through the break in the trees) from the eastern of the southern pair of monuments to the western... if you value your legs, that is. Industrial-strength brambles all the way.
Incidentally, note that the round barrow at nearby Tumulus Farm (TR 13481 42341) is apparently of Roman origin. Sigh....
This site caught my eye while scanning the map for something to ‘bolster up’ a planned trip to not-too-distant West Wood... and turned out to be a first-class, primary visit, including possibly the finest surviving round barrows in Kent?
Unfortunately, however, there is a negative aspect: The Three Barrows are located immediately adjacent to the (cue drumroll)...’North Downs Way’, thus inevitably suffering from the attentions of plodding hikers ‘doing the way’/French tourists (judging by the language!) and, far more seriously, moronic trail bikers. Indeed, the ‘leader’ of one such group of ‘broom-broom-halfwits’ steadfastly refused to meet my gaze after I countered his ‘good morning’ with a cold, silent stare – hell, the fool damn well knew riding his farcical contraption here – to the detriment of everyone else – is out of order! It’s one thing to act like an idiot and not know any different – ‘stupid is as stupid does’, after all – but to realise you’re being stupid, yet carry on regardless, is surely beyond contempt? Shame on him and his kind.
Having said the above, however, Rubury Butts is still a great place to hang out for a while... since the very substantial northwestern monument is seriously overgrown, the summit a hidden haven of wondrousness.
Historic England summarises thus:
“The three bowl barrows known as Rubury Butts at Three Barrow Down, Womenswold, Kent lie at the convergence of the three parishes of Womenswold, Nonington and Shepherdswell in a lightly wooded copse adjacent to the North Downs Way. They were noted by the C18 antiquarian Bryan Faussett in his Inventorium Sepulchrale published in 1860 who believed that their name derived from ‘’Romes berig Butts’, meaning ‘ the butts at the Roman burial place’. Faussett undertook excavations of Anglo-Saxon burial sites at Golgotha, Shepherdswell and Barfrestone approximately 2km to the east and it is thought possible that these later monuments may have been positioned intentionally within the sight of the three earlier barrows. It is certainly the case that a resurgence of interest in barrow construction took place in the Iron Age, Romano-British, Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods when burials were made in ancient mounds or new mounds were constructed. Nationally barrows are known to have acted as Parish markers as in this case..... It is likely that the Rubury Butts bowl barrow cemetery is Bronze Age in origin.... The barrows are aligned in a row on a north-west to south-east axis approximately 5m apart. The northernmost barrow is 26m across and stands to 3.5m [c11.5ft – G] in height. The middle barrow is 14m wide and 1m high and the third, adjacent to the track, is ovoid in shape, approximately 21m wide and 1.9m [c6ft – G] high, eroded to the south-east by the track. None of the mounds have obvious ditches.”
Fan, as the prosaic name suggests, is an elongated ‘peaky ridge’ rising to the west of the hamlet of Nantcwnlle, a little over a mile and a half distant from the great, sacred hill of Trychrug.
Not to be outdone... it, too, is crowned by the remains of a formerly substantial Bronze Age cairn subsumed within a grassy mantle. Despite being “inadvertently levelled during pasture improvement” between 1996 and 1998, subsequent excavation in 2010-2011 discovered several cremation burials/cups/urns. So no doubts about said monument’s prehistoric ancestry, then. [refer ARCHAEOLOGIA CAMBRENSIS Vol 162 – see misc link]
The Citizen Cairn – suitably intrigued – approached via a pleasing footpath attained by taking the minor road exiting Bwlch-Llan to the northwest. Boasting sweeping panoramic views, this was a fine way to spend a blustery afternoon. A ‘Peaky Blinder’, perhaps? Furthermore, if time is not pressing, why not continue on to the wondrous Trychrug beckoning upon the skyline?
Coflein reckons:
“A disturbed circular cairn, c.21m in diameter, 1.6m high, set upon a summit, has produced a pygmy cup and possibly a bronze spear-head (see Briggs 1994 (Cardigan County Hist. I), 193 No.183).” [RCAHMW AP965053/42-3 J.Wiles 02.10.03]
Lying to the east of the reasonably substantial cairn upon the (eastern) summit of Esgair Golan (SN72848261), this is a rather more modest monument, one of a possible trio surmounting this little ridge. Then again, perhaps the multiplicity hints at natural features?
Whatever the truth, this is well worth including in a circular walk from the roadside beneath – and featuring – the cairn overlooking the Nant Geifaes at SN73188331.
Coflein reckons:
“Remains of former cairn approx. 4m in diameter x 0.60m high. Consists of piled stone now grass and turf covered. Remains of cist visible formed by 3 slabs and 1 upright slab” [R.S. Jones, Cambrian Archaeological Projects, 2004].
Historic England [List Entry Number: 1012222] states that this obscure site represents a ‘saucer barrow’... so very rare.
I struggled to find this one – and, to be fair, I cannot 100% categorically claim I did – since the whole site was subsumed in industrial strength, impenetrable brambles. Still, I’m pretty sure... and no afternoon spent walking around in sunny woodland listening to birdsong can ever be wasted, right?
Historic England has this to say:
“The monument includes a saucer barrow which comprises a low central mound with an encircling ditch which is in turn surrounded by a low bank of earth. The central mound measures 18m in diameter and stands to 0.7m above the level of the surrounding ground at its summit. The ditch that defines the mound measures some 4m across and drops to only 0.3m below the ground level, having been largely infilled by erosion from the mound and the outer bank. It was earth from this ditch which was used to build both the central low mound and the surrounding bank. Beyond the ditch is the outer bank, 2m across and only 0.2m high. The overall diameter of the monument is therefore some 30m.”
This, a companion cairn to Garn Wen engulfed in trees upon the nearby hilltop, is a nearly destroyed – but not quite – monument set in rich pasture beside Tanybryn-Isaf farm, located in the Pumlumon foothills to the east of Aberystwyth. The field nowadays is home to nowt but inquisitive bovines turbocharged on the luxurious grass. No, make that REALLY curious cows. Tell me about it...
So, OK, only the well-informed will appreciate what is still here, the monument apparently only discovered by the wondrous Mr Driver pootling about in his plane back in 2001. As a TMA-er, that’ll now include you, then.
It’s worth combining with a visit to nearby Garn Wen, if only for fine views of neighbouring hillfort Pen-y-Castell (SN689848) across the cwm.
Coflein reckons:
“A Bronze Age round barrow, surviving as a low mound c.11m diameter, with a central hole showing a past episode of digging. The barrow lies alongside and to the south of the earthworks of an old trackway, climbing the hillside from Clawdd Melyn... Discovered during RCAHMW winter aerial reconnaissance in 2001 and recorded on subsequent flights. [T. Driver, RCAHMW, 27th Jan 2011]”
Despite being featured upon current OS mapping I’m pretty confident that a visit to the obscure Bronze Age cairn located upon the south-eastern spur of Moel y Gadfa – the high moor ( at 1,669ft) overlooking the minor road linking the mountain pass Bwlch-y-Groes and Llyn Efyrnwy – will not grace many antiquarian-themed itineraries. Ha! Upon second thoughts, very confident...
To be fair, the terrain to be found here – to the east of the magnificent Arans – is probably an acquired taste and, as such, likely to appeal only to those with a penchant for avoiding the crowds and immersing themselves in the landscape – hopefully not TOO literally, one would hope. It is pretty hard going underfoot... but hey, nothing good comes without a little effort, right?
In the event I struggled to find the monument owing to fence lines on the ground not mirroring what was shown upon my map, this disorientating me more than a little as hill fog swept in to further confuse matters with reduced visibility... and driving rain. However, find it I did. Eventually.
Coflein notes:
“A much disturbed & spread round cairn, in the region of 7.5m in diameter & 1.0m high.” [RCAHMW AP94-CS 0027 J.Wiles 26.07.04]
The elevated ridges of Esgair Gorlan and Esgair Nant-y-Moch stand to the (approx) south of the enigmatic Pumlumon outlier Disgwylfa Fawr (the ‘Watching Place’) and, as such, are well worth a wander in their own right when events/weather/downright exhaustion conspire against a more challenging outing. Although nothing is indicated upon current OS mapping, prehistoric upland cairns are to be found here. Well, this is Pumlumon, after all. What else did you expect?
I parked up beside the ford overlooked by the cairn namechecking the Nant Geifaes, following the stony byway heading southwest into the hinterland.
Coflein reckons the following:
“Located on a summit on the eastern side of Esgair Gorlan is a robbed round cairn. It is a turf-covered stony mound measuring 9.5m in diameter and 0.5m high but higher on the south-west where spoil from a central hollow has been piled up. The hollow measures 4m long (NW-SE) by 1.5m across and 0.4m deep. It was presumably the site of a cist, or at least thought to be, though its stony base may point to a cist cut into the old land surface.” [D.K.Leighton, RCAHMW & R.S. Jones, Cambrian Archaeological Projects, 29 May 2015]
Note that there is – unbeknown to me at the time of my visit – another cairn surmounting the western summit of Esgair Gorlan at SN7241082620. Another time, perhaps?
This, another of Wales’ ‘White Cairns’, is almost completely subsumed within seemingly impenetrable forestry covering a minor hilltop to the west of Pumlumon. So much so that The Citizen Cairn admits to having a pretty hard time locating it, despite the monument apparently being some 50ft across. However, all’s well that ends well, as they say. If not exactly ‘all-white’.
Yeah, despite – or perhaps because of – the difficulty reaching the cairn, the intense woodland vibe, amplified many times over by whatever it is that these prehistoric sites do to the receptive human psyche, has me doing mental cartwheels in short order. Indeed, one supposes the proverbial ‘knife’ would make little impression upon the atmosphere to be found here. Bring a chainsaw. No, on second thoughts, don’t! And to think we’ve a myriad myopic muppets jumping up and down on Salisbury Plain... presumably, Pumlumon doesn’t feature upon Papa’s Range Rover’s sat nav?
Coflein doesn’t have a lot to say:
“A much disturbed round cairn, 15m in diameter & 1.5m high, set upon the highest point of a ridge.” [J.Wiles 23.07.04]
Interestingly, Coflein reckons the ‘Mynydd March’ stone may once have been known as Mynydd Tarw... so once upon a time, we may well have had ‘Bull, Cow and Calf’ stones:
“A shattered monolith is located just off the south edge of a road, set back from it about 3m in what is now a ditch between the road and an old field bank which forms part of a forestry boundary. The stone is in three (visible) pieces. The largest is 1m high, 0.7m wide and 0.5m thick. Two much smaller pieces have become detached from each of two sides of the stone.
The stone is portrayed on Lewis Morris’s map of 1744 where it is named Maen Tarw. About 100m along the road to the east is Buwch a’r Llo standing stone pair (which is not shown on the 1744 map. However, the latter are shown on Gogerddan Estate map of 1788, annotated `Maen Tarw?. [David Leighton, RCAHMW, 7 February 2013]”
Revisited during an extended visit to Twll yr Ogof from the Fford Ddu roadside near Cyfarnedd-fawr, I had forgotten how substantial this – The King’s Grave – actually is... some c62ft across. Suffice to say, it’s well worth a primary visit in its own right.
Coflein notes:
“The mutilated ruins of a cairn stand upon a saddle between two mountains at the head of Cwm-llwyd. It is near circular, some 18-19.5m across and survives up to 1.2m high. It is crossed by a comparatively recent sheep shelter wall. The cairn was dug into in 1851, when a cist or slab chamber, 0.9m by 0.7m and 0.5m deep was uncovered. This contained fragments of human bone and had been covered by a 2.0m by 0.9m capstone. In 1851 ‘sheperd-huts’ were observed around the base of the cairn. The cairn was already robbed. The shelter wall is built over the displaced capstone and so must post-date the excavation. [Source: Wynne foulkes in Archaeologia Cambrensis New Series III (1852), 96-9] – John Wiles, RCAHMW, 22 February 2008”
This, the ‘Middle Cairn/Barrow’, appropriately enough stands between Crug Melyn and the unnamed ‘Tumlumus’ shown upon the 1:25k map... although quite why it is named... and its substantial western neighbour is not... I guess only local folklore may be able to explain?
Coflein notes:
“Bronze Age cairn or barrow, 17m” [c56ft] “in diameter, standing up to 2” high, has been ‘opened’. [J.Wiles 20.02.02]”
Less than a mile to the west of the suspect charms of Llech Ciste (which I consequently forgo), what I envisaged as being a minor group of barrow/cairns... in very short order became a fine Bronze Age cemetery worth a considerable journey.
To be fair, owners of the 1:25k map will note that three of the linear alignment of monuments are named... so perhaps I shouldn’t have been so surprised, but there you are. This, the ‘Yellow Cairn’ crowning 1,070ft Pen-crug-melyn at the eastern extremity, is pleasingly bathed in an orangey/yellow(ish) glow as the sun briefly reasserts its dominance following a couple of hours of intense downpour. So, needless to say, the locals know where they’re at. As usual.
Speaking of which, I encounter the farmer in his Land Rover and he beams a smile as bright as that fiery nuclear globe while confirming I’m OK with my parking arrangements. No problem at all, so please don’t take the piss and block his gates should you approach from the south.
Coflein doesn’t say much (if 14m also means nothing to you, that’s c46ft in proper terms):
“A disturbed cairn, 14m in diameter and 1.3m high.
[J.Wiles 20.02.02]”
This, marked as ‘Tumulus’ upon 1:25k OS mapping (presumably owing to the grassy mantle obscuring any expected cairn attributes), stands between Crug Canol and Crug Bach (SN49632863), the latter located near the entrance gate to Mynydd Bach Common and quite hard to distinguish amongst vegetation. There are apparently other monuments nearby I wasn’t able to discern with any certainty.
Although lacking the profile of the two great eastern cairns, this is nevertheless a substantial monument worth lingering at for a while, measuring approx 65ft across and 3ft in height.
Coflein reckons:
“SN49632863, reported as mutilated, c.13m in diameter and 0.9m high, with the eatern of the two.. at SN49882864, being 20m in diameter and 0.9m high. [J.Wiles 19.02.02]”
This is an obscure, yet wondrous Bronze Age cairn – some 52ft across – located upon Cnwch Mawr, not far from Llanddewi Brefi in deepest Ceredigion. Unlike many other ancient sites in the locale, this is not annotated upon current OS mapping, meaning a perfect vibe was more-or-less guaranteed.
The monument is substantial and, although I made the usual ‘pig’s ear’ of the approach, access is not too taxing from the southwest via Waun Maenllwyd... suffice to say (in retrospect), ensure you don’t take the direct route across the felled forestry wasteland upon reaching the fence line, but rather circle around to the left. Much easier!!
OK, sure, the weather closed in later on giving me a veritable kicking – and then some. However, hill fog was mercifully absent, ensuring sublime views into Cwm Brefi rewarded a subsequent walkabout. Note that the standing stone ‘Carreg Samson’ is nearby should that also interest... plus, of course, the great cairns upon Crug, Garn, Carn Fawr, Pen y Corn, Craig Twrch etc, etc, etc. Wondrous area, this.
Coflein reckons:
“This is a large Bronze Age summit cairn, which has been shown on Ordnance Survey maps since the Original Surveyors drawing were made in the early 19th century. It has suffered some disturbance over the centuries, but still survives as a substantial stone cairn, 16 metres in diameter and up to 1.25 metres high. A small shelter has been built on its eastern side” [R.P.Sambrook, Trysor, 26 March 2013]
Although located close to the farm of Caer Cadwgan, this impressive hillfort, overlooking Cwm Ffrwd Cynon near Lampeter, is traditionally known as Caer Maurice (as confirmed by such an annotation upon the original OS maps of 1834).
For once – yeah, it happens occasionally – The Citizen Cairn is pleased to relate that, although not directly accessed by a public right of way, a concessionary path has been negotiated for visitors. This is to be applauded as an example to other landowners harbouring designs towards embracing community responsibility since this is a hillfort to cherish. Substantial remains and sublime views: what’s not to like?
Now, you know how it is? How some things can linger upon the ‘to do at some point’ list for, well... ages, right? Anyway, for some reason this site, hidden away upon the north-eastern flanks of Y Carneddau’s Creigiau Gleision, finally bubbled away to the top of The Citizen Cairn’s version. Good thing, too, since the monument, some 40ft in diameter, is pretty substantial.... the views sublime.
I approached via the unfeasibly steep Llyn Cowlyd access road from Trefriw crossing Cefn Cyfarwydd (we’re talking Hardknott/Wrynose Pass-grade inclines here) traversed numerous times before in passing. A lesson that one must always look to indulge the supporting cast of any story.
The glorious rainbows were the icing on the proverbial cake and – speaking of ice – well worth the fast moving hail showers disgorging their frozen cargo ‘at pace’, as muppet project managers like to say nowadays.
CADW’s scheduling notes:
“Remains of a burial cairn, probably dating to the Bronze Age on the SE-facing slopes of Cefn Cyfarwydd. Circular in plan, measuring c. 12m diameter and up to 1.2m in height. The cairn has a large hollow at its centre, presumably the result of antiquarian investigation. A small marker cairn has been built on the S. side of the cairn. FF 13/01/2004”
There are a number of ‘Moelfre’s across the length and breadth of Wales... hardly surprising, since I understand the name basically means ‘hill’. This one, however, has been on my ‘list’ for some time since it is one of the few featuring that iconic ‘Antiquarian typeface’ on the OS map.
To be fair, however, I arrive at Bwlch Glynmyndd to the north-east more in anticipation of the expected views than archaeological splendour. Needless to say, things are not as straightforward as they may appear from a simple perusal of the map.....
OK, the views ARE magnificent, the deeply riven hills north of Pumlumon forming a twisted, convoluted landscape of sublime aesthetics. However, the expected site of the monument, indicated below and to the southwest of the summit, reveals a ‘possible’ circular feature, probably natural? Certainly nothing to write home about. Fortunately, the views most certainly are..
Eventually, I return to the 1,539ft summit and everything suddenly becomes clear. For here is located what very much looks like a substantial Bronze Age round barrow, more-or-less inviolate. As it happens, the professional archaeologists agree, Coflein noting:
“A barrow, 17.5m in diameter, from 0.7m to 2.7m high, apparently undisturbed. There is no notice of any ditch. [J.Wiles 16.04.02]”
So what of the OS feature? Is this a mistake – plain and simple – or is there indeed something there?
CADW scheduling (CM343) reckons:
“The monument comprises the remains of a burial cairn and an associated standing stone, both probably dating to the Bronze Age (c.2300 BC – 800 BC) and situated on the S-facing leading edge of a local summit on the SW-facing slopes of Mynydd Trawsnant. The grass-covered cairn, which probably utilises an outcropping bedrock knoll, is circular on plan and measures about 16m in diameter and up to 1.6m in height. An impressive quartz standing stone is situated about 45m to the NNW. It is a large block of stone, measuring 0.9m in height by 0.6m in width and 0.6m in thickness. Packing stones are clearly visible around its base.”
The salient feature for me – as always – however, is the magnificent vista towards the South Walian mountains, more than liberally crowned with Bronze Age cairns of their own. Oh and the wondrous vibe. This, truly, is a spot to just sit and watch for a few hours.... it would be a crime to rush, hence I deferred from a quick visit the previous late afternoon, kipped overnight above Llyn Brianne.. and spent the entire morning before a massive storm front none too subtly suggested I, ahem, move on.
Note the nearby quartzite stone which would appear to be associated with the great cairn. As CADW note, the obvious packing stones strongly suggest authenticity.
A pretty substantial ring cairn, this, with a well-preserved bank upon the southern arc and sweeping, extensive views to the apex of the South Walian uplands. A classic location, to be fair.
Coflein notes the following:
“Remains of a ring cairn on the SW-facing slopes of Mynydd Trawsnant, above Cerrig Cynnant. Circular on plan, measuring about 9m in diameter within a grass covered stony ring bank about 1.5m in thickness and up to 0.2m in height. The interior is level and largely stone free. [Source: Cadw scheduling description. F.Foster 05/04/2005]”
Although not in the same league as the other obscure stone circles in the extended locale of Llyn Brianne (Bryn y Gorlan, Crug Siarls) this is still well worth the not-inconsiderable effort of visiting, if only for the excellent vibe – the nearby pair of ring cairns make it a no-brainer, should you be able.
Located a little north of the southern ring cairn, beyond an earthen field boundary, copious industrial strength upland grass and other sundry vegetation currently obscure what remains – above ground, at least – of this stone ring. I couldn’t discern anything still upstanding in the northern arc...
Although Coflein, in this instance, has nothing to add, the site is Scheduled, the CADW report (CM225) noting:
“The monument comprises the remains of a stone circle, which probably dates to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 – 800 BC). The stone circle measures approximately 20m in diameter and consists of eight stones set in a semicircle, with two further stones to the north completing the circle. The northern half of the circle, with only these two stones remaining, is presumably ruined, as the stones are only c. 20cm in height, some in the northern sector could be buried beneath the turf.”
Assuming you’ve the correct OS coordinates to relate to (preferably) your 1:25K map – the 1:50k will probably do, at a push – correctly identifying the location of this pleasing trio of sites is clearly not an issue. Getting there, however, isn’t exactly straightforward: I eschewed the long approach via the great cairn of Garn Fawr (with its little associated quartzite stone) in favour of a low-level stroll above the Cynnant Fawr, followed by a steep scramble to the west. As it transpired, choosing the hottest day of 2023 wasn’t ideal for such exertion, but hey. Stupid is as stupid does.
If you’ve only a day to spare, probably best to choose the former option and check in at the former Youth Hostel of Bryn-poeth Uchaf for a chat in passing – a neighbour I met the following day related how the current owner is very friendly to us outsiders. As it was, I instead met the (presumed) owner of Cynnant Farm who, while remaining silent, gave me a wry smile I took to signify a tolerance of my parking arrangements at the entrance to the public track traversing the cwm.
At almost 50ft in diameter, this summit cairn is well worth a shufti when checking out the nearby Cerrig Cewri....
Coflein reckons the monument is:
“An apparently undisturbed cairn, 15m in diameter and 1.6m high, having an Os triangulation pillar set upon its summit. A standing stone, Carreg craig-y-moch, 2m by 0.6m by 0.5m, once stood c.550m SSW of the cairn, reported as erect in 1967, it was prostrate by 1968 and had been removed in afforestation by 1976. [J.Wiles 04.04.02]”
A pair of cairns located someway below – and to the south – of the 1,463ft summit of Garn Dwad... the southern of which is actually pretty substantial, bearing the clear remains of a cist. To be fair, the northern monument is quite upstanding, too, albeit with a grassy mantle rendering it far less conspicuous in the landscape; so much so, that I actually walked straight by upon arrival. As you do.
The location is excellent, with a sublime panorama of the South Walian uplands given great support by that of the Irfon nearer to hand. With a vibe to match. The easiest approach is probably that which I took, via the bridleway starting from the access track to Pen-y-Banc farm, looping around from the north.
Coflein reckons:
“The two cairns set below the summit of Carn Dwad are I – measuring 6.0m in diameter and 0.4m high; II – oval, measuring 11m by 9.0m and 0.5m high. Both cairns bear the signs of central mutilation and exhibit what may be the remains of cists.... [J.Wiles 04.04.02]”
The remains of this cairn, set upon the, it has to be said, somewhat inhospitable eastern slopes of Esgair Elan – itself forming the southern flank of the wondrous upper Cwm Ystwyth – have a good shout for being amongst the most obscure you might wish to find in these Isles. Yeah, having walked the ridge a number of times in the past – not to mention camping below on innumerable occasions – the monument doesn’t exactly advertise its presence, so to speak.
Luckily, the people at Coflein know where it’s at. Quite literally:
“A small stone cairn, thought likely to be a funerary cairn. It measures 2.5 metres north to south, by 2.25 metres wide and is no more than 0.2 metres high. It is partially obscured by grass and moss.” [P.Sambrook, Trysor, 13 September 2011]
Better late than never.
Not to be confused with the shapely hill overlooking Abergavenny, this ‘Sugar Loaf’ – presumably so named on account of its profile... although exactly what a sugar loaf is I could not tell... can’t be very healthy? – is actually crowned by the remains of an Iron Age hill fort... a fact that 99.9% of visitors to this rather fine ‘picnic spot’ upon the A483 between Llandovery and Llanwrtyd Wells are probably oblivious to.
To be fair, there are mitigating factors, not least that the ancient providence was apparently only ascertained from the air in 2001! OK, the defences are far from obvious on the ground; however, I can confirm they are there alright. A wonderful spot, indeed.
The archaeological experts reckon:
“The Iron age hillfort occupying the summit of ‘Sugar Loaf’ knoll, is aligned SW/NE. The fort is elongated, oval in shape, with an entrance at the north east end. A single earthwork rampart defines the north side of the fort, with apparently no artificial defences on the south side due to the precipitous natural slopes. The rampart narrows along the spine of the ridge at the north east end, and ends in a cross bank defending the simple ?passage entrance. Discovered during RCAHMW aerial reconnaissance in 2001
(AP ref: 2001/3528 26-28). Not inspected on ground. TGD”
Facing off to the fabulously be-cairned Bryn Rhudd and Banc-y-Gwyngoed across Cwm Brefi, Crug, not to be outdone, is also crowned by the remains of a pretty substantial Bronze Age monument. However, this – despite still measuring some 35 feet across – possesses a more subtle allure for the passing antiquarian than the mighty stone piles to the north. Indeed, topped as it is by a crude, circular ‘hat’ enclosing the OS trig pillar, the uninitiated muppet searching for shelter might well not discern the ancient, grassy footprint underfoot.
I approached via the forestry track east of Pant-yr-esgair, eventually gaining the treeline to the north via a steep ride (in retrospect one should approach the fence sooner rather than later). Following said fence across Esgair Goch to the southwest, prior to veering northwest, a stile eventually allows access to the summit of Crug at a junction. A fine place to be, with some pretty fine panoramic views.
The people at Coflein reckon:
“This stone cairn sits on the southern side of the highest point of Crug.... The cairn is almost completely covered with grass with its stone make-up showing most clearly on the southeast. It is roughly 10.5 metres in diameter and up to 0.7 metres high on its southeast side. On top of it is a circular drystone structure... in the centre of which is a concrete Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar.” [J.J. Hall, Trysor, 14 July 2012]
Now The Elenydd, that wild ‘Green Desert of Wales’, has perhaps more than its fair share of wondrously obscure prehistoric sites... however, this is arguably as obscure as they come: not only is it not indicated upon OS mapping... not even Coflein have been able to locate it, to date:
“Place name ‘Gurnos’ mutated from Gyrnos. Translates as ‘place of cairns’. At time of field visit no cairns found in immediate area, however area of rocky outcrop on E slope & top of Gurnos has numerable possible iron age features.(RSJ 2000)”
To be fair, it IS rather difficult to locate, being exactly where one would not expect it to be, about a half mile SW of the Rhos-y-Gelynnen stone row. The effort – extreme effort if, like me, one foolishly decides the direct approach from below to the south ‘won’t be that bad’ – is worth it, however: the cairn is pretty substantial, well preserved... and appears to feature the remains of an internal cist. Furthermore, the vibe is sensational.
Not indicated upon OS mapping, I, therefore, neglected to visit this pleasing monument when checking out the large Lluest Aber Caethon ‘mound’ and cairns upon Esgair Beddau a few years back now. Still, better late than never...
OK, the conditions were not ideal, but the ethereal ambience overlooking the abandoned farm below was nevertheless just what the doctor ordered. Quite a lot of internal structure is still evident for such an obscure site...
Coflein reckons:
“7m outer diam, Disturbed. Central area robbed, Mudstone & quartz stones thrown aside. Central cist intact but exposed. Uprights in position. Alignment N-S. Central hollow approx 3-4m diam(RSJ 2000)”
The highest point of the narrow summit ridge of Domen Milwyn (1,821ft) is annotated upon current OS mapping with ‘Cairn’, albeit sans antiquarian typeface, this no doubt a reference to the substantial marker cairn seen from afar. Nevertheless, a closer look by those willing and able to make the rather taxing trek from Cwmystwyth will reveal a small, embedded footprint underlying the modern construct... to these (now rather experienced) eyes, pretty conclusive evidence of prehistoric ancestry.
Indeed, The Dyfed Archaeological Trust note: “Possible Bronze Age round barrow. Status unconfirmed.” Bear in mind that, since the neighbouring peaks also possess their own Bronze Age monuments, the context is also right on the money. Clearly, what we have here crowning these unfashionably obscure hills is a pretty extensive Bronze Age cemetery. Who would have thought it?
In the Citizen Cairn’s view, this unassuming remnant of our ancient heritage makes as fine a focal point as one could wish for when out and about in the hills of Mid Wales. Seekers of space and solitude will find it here. Yeah, despite being (quite literally) crossed by ‘The Cambrian Way’ long-distance path, I saw no one all day... notwithstanding it being a very hot June.
I did, however, receive a veritable lashing from a rather ‘extended’ summer shower during the ascent... not to mention one or two whilst enjoying a likewise extended sojourn on-site, lost within the melodrama of the all-pervading silence. The views to be had are first-rate, although those to the south penetrating the vastness of ‘Wild Elenydd’ may be too uncompromising for some tastes? If you do choose to come – and I believe the rewards are immense – please don’t take this landscape lightly.
The swirling hill fog which paid a visit at one point eventually moved on to leave a fine afternoon. Nevertheless, I kept my compass bearing at the ready, just in case. These are NOT hills to be caught out in mist.
First stop of what turns out to be a seriously FULL day exploring the many sites in the immediate locale.... and quite a good, upstanding hors d’oeuvres, if the truth be told. So much so that in any other situation I no doubt would have stayed for several hours. Quality vibe and substantial, if overgrown, cairn. Yeah, I do discern evidence of stonework within the thick, grassy mantle... so let’s go with that.
Coflein reckons:
“Reported both as a round barrow and a cairn. Excavated in 1924, uncovering a stone kerb and yielding 16 fragments of urn”. [J.Wiles 12.02.02]
Access is easy since the (very) minor road passes close by.
Almost – but not quite – visited when I last ventured this-a-way in April 2019, one of those peculiar event associations with a particular tune (in this case Ladytron’s ‘Figurine’) ensures the quartet of cairns said to reside here niggle away at the back of the mind.... until, well, here I finally am.
First things first, it has to be conceded that the location is not (now, at any rate) classic, the cairns standing beside a transmitter station featuring, as these places tend to do, a couple of large antennae. Furthermore, the terrain surrounding/separating the monuments is churned to buggery, with sundry farm detritus adding to the sense of ‘couldn’t give a shit land’. Shame on all those responsible, should they have the brains to appreciate anything at all.
It, therefore, comes as a welcome surprise to find the cairns themselves are in relatively good nick, the pick of the bunch that bearing an OS trig pillar at SN5348039490. This, Coflein notes, represents:
“One of a group of four cairns, aligned NNE-SSE, at c.35m intervals across formerly open, high moorland, 22m in diameter & 1.9m high, having a flat top set with an OS trig. pillar: formerly marked the meeting point of three parishes (Llanybyther, Llanllwni & Llanfihangel Rhos-y-Corn).” [J.Wiles 03.09.04]
OK, the most northerly monument is pretty ravaged, having been extensively’ hollowed-out at some point in the past, but the accompanying pair to the south of the main monument are still pretty upstanding. Factor in the sweeping views to the north-west across the Teifi and, dodgy surroundings notwithstanding, this remains a good place to be
Easily accessed from the nearby single-track road, I wasn’t sure what to make of this, to be honest. ‘Ring cairn’, heavily denuded round cairn... or even an ‘enclosure’ of some description? In my defence, Coflein would appear to be in a similar dilemma:
“A rough circular bank of stones, c.17.5m in diameter, having an OS triangulation pillar at its centre.” [RCAHMW AP965050/66. J. Wiles 30.09.03]
Whatever the truth, the 360-degree views are extensive, the skies massive. However, given the abundance of other sites in the locale, this is (arguably) not somewhere to linger for that long... but nevertheless worth checking out.
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