CARL

Visited 13.1.13

Directions:
Please see directions given for Cwm Henwen Standing Stone.
The Cairn is to the immediate north of the stone –the other side of a barbed wire fence.

The Cairn is easy to spot with stones protruding from the ground clearly showing its outline. All the stones are less that 1ft high and covered in masses of moss – which isn’t surprising given the amount of rain they get in the Brecon Beacons!
Most of the Cairns stones have been removed unfortunately.

COFLEIN states:
‘A plundered cairn, 14m by 12.5m and 0.9m high, whose center has been dug out, leaving a tail of spoil to the NE’

Visited 13.1.13

Directions:
From Trecastle (A40) follow the signs for the Usk Reservoir (5 miles).
When you arrive at the reservoir there is a car park and picnic area.
Walk across the dam to the far side of the reservoir and follow the road to the left.
As you walk past the trees you will see a forestry track with a locked metal barrier.
Walk up the track and after a short distance you will see a ‘path’ on your right heading through the trees. Follow this ‘path’ and you will shortly come to a metal gate.
Go through the gate and the standing stone is immediately in front of you – can’t miss it!

(There is a road which runs around the reservoir from the car park to the start of the forestry track if you would prefer not to walk. However, it is a very pleasant walk along the top of the dam and well worth the minimal effort required)

The stone is a rich red colour (same as Mean LLia) and is largely covered in moss.
COFLEIN reckon the stone is 1.4m high but I would say it is less than 1m.
It is so close to the nearby Cairn that you would think the two are connected somehow?
Is this the stump of a once taller stone?
If it wasn’t for the trees there would be good views over the reservoir.

Worth the effort to see when visiting this fairly remote but pretty part of the Brecon Beacons.

Visited 5.1.13

Directions:
From the A4093 take the B4564 (sign posted Gilfach Goch).
Where the road forks, stay left and drive past the pub (Old Gilfach Goch? – I think it was called) which will be on your right.
A little further up the road (on your left) you will see a small tarmac area which is blocked off with large boulders. This is next to a ruined derelict building.
There is room to park in front of the boulders off the road.
Walk up the tarmac, past the small wooden cross (in memory of Mr and Mrs Adams) which is directly behind a large round boulder, over the metal field gate and head directly up the very steep hillside.
You should then come out pretty much right on top of the cairns – assuming you haven’t died falling off the near vertical section on the way up!

My first (and nearly last!) site visit of 2013.
We had planned to go to Cheddar for the day but for various reasons (which I won’t bore you with) it didn’t happen. This left me ‘stranded’ at home feeling like a caged animal. Karen obviously felt ‘the vibe’ and suggested I go out somewhere on my own – probably to get me out of the house!
It was by now early afternoon so I looked through my notes to try to find somewhere I hadn’t been to which wasn’t too far away. So Gilfach Goch here I come!

After clambering up the very steep (and rather dangerous) hillside it was my good fortune to come out very close to the cairns. Coflein states there are 6 cairns although I was only able to spot 4.

The top of the hill was the usual open moorland with lots of clumps of ‘spiky grass’.
It was very mild for the time of year with only a slight wind. The sky was full of dark brooding clouds although the sun was doing its best to break through. Nearby, several wind turbines were in the process of being erected and over in the distance many more were slowly turning in the breeze. The view down on the village was pretty good although there wasn’t much of view in any other direction otherwise. A cockerel was giving its all in the distance – despite it being mid afternoon. Perhaps he got up late!

As for the cairns themselves – which were all pretty close together:
Cairn 1 – 0.5m high x 5m across – grass covered
Cairn 2 – 0.3m high x 5m across – covered in ‘spiky grass’
Cairn 3 – 0.3m high x 3m across – covered in rough grass
Cairn 4 – 0.3m high x 5m across – grass covered.

The site feels a lot more remote than it actually is
One for the dedicated (mad) only.
Oh, and by the way, it helps if you are fit and not afraid of heights!
Coflein states:
‘Six small cairns, 3-5m in diameter and c0.5m high, set on the E side of Mynydd Maes-teg, in an area where no other evidence of settlement or clearance has been noted’.

Visited 29.11.12

Directions:
Take the B4263 north through Abertridwr and then Senghenydd.
Continue through Senghenydd and take the minor road across Eglwysilan Common.
Just past the brick building/fencing on the left there is a large parking area (near the pylons) – park here. All you then need to do is follow the track west towards the next set of electric pylons – about a 10 minute easy walk.

It was a beautiful day. Dark blue sky, not a cloud in sight. High above jets formed a criss-cross of white vapour trails. There was no wind and all was silent. Even the sheep seemed to equally be enjoying the day. The rutted track had many large puddles, all frozen solid after the overnight frost. It was a great day to be out ‘old stoning’. On such a clear day the Brecon Beacons could be easily seen in the distance. More closely the windows on the houses in the village of Senghenydd sparkled in the afternoon sunlight.

The only things to spoil the atmosphere were the pylons (which I guess we have to accept) and yet again, the amount of litter, beer cans and burnt out mattresses etc (which we most certainly do not have to accept). What is it with some Valley’s folk? I have been to many sites in the South Wales Valleys and they all have one thing in common – dumped rubbish. Why do people do this? After all, it’s not exactly an easy place to dump rubbish. Why not take it to the tip or call the council out like normal people? The older I get the more despairing of people I get. I know it’s only a minority but illegally dumping rubbish in South Wales seems to be a popular hobby!

Anyway, onto more positive things.

Before visiting this site I had a look to see what COFLEIN had to say:
‘On Eglwysilan Common several tumuli opened in 1753. The urns were all broken by the workmen – they each lay upon a flat stone and another over them. One of a group of 3 cairns located on Mynydd Eglwsilan’. Sounded promising.

The first Cairn you come to is very easy to find. Next to the track on the right, just before the electricity cables, near the wooden footpath sign.
It consists of a large deposit of grey stones, spread out to a diameter of about 15m and a height of 0.5m. Patches of ferns growing through the Cairn.
Several kerb stones could be seen – some covered in grass. The kerb stones above the ground were covered in moss. The Cairn has a pronounced ‘rim’ surrounding it.

The second Cairn is another easy to spot – about 20m further along the track on the same side. It was more ruined than the first and was approximately 8m across x 0.3m high. Basically another file of grey stones, partly grassed over.

The third Cairn is also straight forward to find (although I went too far uphill and it took me a while!). Walk along the track and as soon as you come under the electricity cables it is immediately on your right. The centre of this Cairn has a large hollow dug out of the middle and again, is very ruined. You could hear the buzz and crackle of the electricity running through the cables.
I wonder what the ancients would have thought of it all?

On such a nice day, in such a nice location (ignoring said pylons and rubbish) I sat for a while and contemplated the meaning of life. No, I didn’t come up with any answers!

All in all an easy site to access and well worth a visit when in the area.

Visited 29.11.12

This Cairn is slightly north of the Carneddi Llwdion Cairns.
Only problem is I couldn’t find it!

COFLEIN states:
‘A flat topped grass covered cairn. There are many large stones protruding from the surface and two large kerb stones’

Visited 29.11.12

A day off work all to myself and not a cloud in the sky.
Only one thing for it then – a bit of ‘old stoning’!
Not much money and not much petrol so something close to home required.
Looking at my Cardiff and Area O/S map I spot a couple of sites I haven’t had chance to visit yet. That’s that sorted then.

The first of these are the two Cairns called as ‘The Bryn’ (The Hill)

After eventually navigating my way through the maze of roads in Penyrheol (just outside Caerphilly) I park up on Heol Chwarrel Clark.
** Due to road changes you will need to enter Penyrheol from the east off the roundabout on the A468 and NOT the way I first tried, from the west off the B4263**

Despite there being a heavy overnight frost I only needed a light jacket as the sun was shining and most importantly there wasn’t a breath of wind so it felt a lot warmer than it actually was.

It took 10 minutes to walk up the steep road which leads to the farm only to discover that I could have driven all the way up and parked at the entrance to the Eglwysilan Common; just over the cattle grid. Still, it was a nice walk and the exercise won’t do me any harm!

The Cairns are easy enough to find, all you have to do is follow the track used by the forestry people until you come to a padlocked metal field gate which gives access to the forestry plantation. Although my map shows a forest, it has now all been cut down and replanted with saplings – approx 6 inches high. This means spotting the larger of the two Cairns is an easy task. A further 15 min walk from the farm.

Now, my friends, comes the bad news:
I carefully walked over to the Cairn, not to step on the saplings, and climbed to the top. I then looked down in horror.
The centre of the Cairn had been dug into so much it resembled a crater.
But much, much worse was the fact that this ‘crater’ was being used as a bin. (Presumably by the people who cut the trees down as I can’t see how this much rubbish could have been generated by anyone else up here?)
It was a complete and utter mess. Bags and bags full of beer and cider cans, food wrappers and the like. It would have taken a mini skip to have cleared this lot. It has clearly been used as a bin for quite some time.

I could talk about people’s ignorance and contempt for ancient sites (particularly someone’s final resting place) but I would be wasting my breath. It is not often I feel anger – but I felt angry now. My anger was only matched by my shock and horror.
The Cist slab which Coflein talks about was clearly not going to be seen by me today.

I sat on a tree trunk and surveyed the situation.
Here I was sat on a desecrated Cairn in the middle of a forestry plantation that had been taken to the saw. All around was the spoil of the ‘harvest’. The Cairn itself seemed to be wearing a crown of dead tree stumps – it seemed apt somehow. The who area felt ‘dead’ although no doubt once the new trees start to grow it will feel different? This was not a place to dwell for too long – far too sad.

The smaller Cairn showing on the map I couldn’t even find. It must have been buried under the debris of the tree felling.

The only positives I can take from my visit is that the Cairn has not been replanted with saplings and I did pick up a cross section of tree trunk which I took home for Dafydd to take to school to show his teacher and the children about how to date a tree from the number of rings. I guess most of the children won’t ever get out to these type of locations to see for themselves? Dafydd of course knows better!

COFLEIN states:
‘Two cairns on ground falling gently to the west. The larger cairn is 24.4m in diameter and 2.5m high – centre deeply hollowed exposing a cist slab. 23m north is the smaller cairn, 4.5m in diameter and 0.3 to 0.9m high’.

An E-Mail to CADW is in order to inform them of the state of the Cairn.
Perhaps they can have a word with the forestry people?

Certainly worth a visit but be prepared for the rubbish – unless of course it has been cleared up by then?

Visited 25.11.12

WOW – what a great place to visit!
I had read a lot about Danebury and am pleased to report that it didn’t disappoint.

The weather was menacing, with brooding black clouds all around.
Although for now, thankfully, it remained dry.

We parked at the first car park we came to not realising that you can drive up to the top of the hill into the main car park – where the toilets are (although they were shut due to the water levels in the reservoir?)

Dafydd decided that he fancied a walk and donned his waterproofs while Karen stayed in the car with the sleeping Sophie. By the time we reached the main car park he was already flagging!

It is only a short uphill walk across flat grass (much frequented by dog walkers) and you are soon at the entrance to the Hillfort.

There is an information board with an artist’s impression of how the entrance would have looked which is pretty good. The info board stated that seven other Hillforts can be seen from Danebury.

We walked up the wooden staircase and walked around the Hillfort in an anti-clockwise direction. By the time we got half way round Dafydd’s legs started to ‘hurt’ as they often do when walking any distance!

The rain stayed away (despite the looming clouds) and it was clear to see that this site was in a dominant position within the landscape.

As we completed the circuit (with me by now carrying Dafydd) the inevitable rain started to fall. We sheltered under the trees and I took one last look at the well preserved entrance and tried to imagine how impressive this site would have been when in use.

We headed down the hill back to the car and past yet more dog walkers – they seem to like this place as much as I do! Time to head home. A great site to end my weekend ‘adventures’.

If you are ever in the area this is a ‘must see’ site which is really easy to access – and signposted too!

Visited 25.11.12

Directions:
A short distance west along the same minor road leading from the Barrow Field Clumps Barrow Cemetery.

E.H. state:
‘The monument includes two bowl barrows, aligned broadly east-west, the most easterly of a small linear group of barrows which lie on a gentle south facing slope to the south of Cholderton Park. The best preserved, most westerly of the two barrows has a mound 20m in diameter and 1.5m high. Surrounding this, and surviving as a buried feature c.2m wide, is the barrow ditch from which material to construct the mound was quarried. To the east of this lie the remains of a second bowl barrow, the mound of which has been truncated and is now oval, measuring 13m (east-west) by 8m and 1.5m high. This mound will also be surrounded by a ditch c.2m wide’.

I couldn’t spot the Barrows.
Either I was looking in the wrong place or they have now been greatly reduced by ploughing?

Visited 25.11.12

Directions:
From Danebury Hillfort take the road south a short distance until you come to the crossroads. The Barrow is next to the crossroads on the northern side – covered in scrub.

E.H. state:
‘A bowl barrow, part of a linear group containing at least 5 round barrows which lie in undulating ground to the south of Waters Down Farm. An elongated mound 23m in diameter and 1.2m high and the exposed section on the roadside shows it to be constructed of chalk rubble overlying a turf core’.

** There is a further Barrow at SU3409837553 which I did not have time to investigate.

Visited 25.11.12

Directions:
Take the A303 west out of Andover and then the A338 south, through the village of Cholderton. You will then shortly come to woodland on your left with an old, disused large gated entrance – you can pull in here.

The Barrow is easily seen right next to the road, covered in trees, behind the fence.
It is approx 1.5m high x 15m across.

E.H. have nothing to say on the matter.

Visited 25.11.12

We parked near the Lodge and I quickly headed up the muddy track which runs past the property.

My O/S map showed 4 Barrows here although I only achieved partial success in spotting them.

The easiest Barrow to spot is the one to the left of the track – opposite the Lodge.
It is in woodland and is approx 2m high x 20m across.

The Barrow behind the Lodge I couldn’t see due to out buildings / sheds etc which hid it from view.

The Barrow on the opposite side of the road is again in dense woodland and is now only a low mound – approx 1m high x 10m across.

I didn’t have time to look for the Barrow further up the track, also amongst trees.

All in all a bit of a disappointing visit.

Visited 24.11.12

For a ‘B’ road the B3404 sure is a busy one, which I guess isn’t surprising as it is one of the main roads into Winchester – which by the way is well worth a visit.

The closest we could park was in front of some houses just over the bridge.
Despite the rain it was only a 5 minute walk back up the road towards the nature reserve where the Barrows reside. (very posh school opposite!)

As soon as you enter the reserve 3 Barrows are obvious – the other side of a barbed wire fence.

The largest of the 3 Barrows is approx 1.8m high x 12m across.
The next largest is approx 1.5m high x 10m across.
The smallest being approx 1m high x 8m across.
All 3 Barrows show clear signs of being dug into.

On a nice day (not today) this would be a good place to visit – providing you can find somewhere to park of course!

Visit 25.11.12

Time was against us as it was already starting to get dark and we still had a long way to travel but I just had to visit this site as it looked so accessible for a Hillfort.

We pulled in next to the field gate and stile / footpath sign.
The gang stayed in the car as I squelched my way through ankle deep mud and through the kissing gate. It is then a very short walk to the Hillfort.
It was no surprise that the ‘path’ was so muddy given the amount of rain we have had recently although it was nice for it to be dry at the moment.

The public footpath circles the perimeter of the Hillfort although the central section is private land – an open grass field.
The Single rampart surrounding the site is totally overgrown with trees and bushes although it still stands a fair height – approx 3m high in places.

In all honesty there is not a lot to see here but if you are ever in the area and looking for a ‘easy to reach’ Hillfort then this is the place for you – just make sure you bring your wellies if it has been raining!

Visited 23.11.12

Directions:
Take the A30 east out of Stockbridge until you come to the junction with the A272.
Turn right onto the A272 and then the first right, after the trees, along a minor road
You can park next to the bridleway which is near a farm.

The track started promisingly as it was concreted but it soon turned into a flooded quagmire which required much skirting around as I had left my wellies in the car!

After about 5 minutes you come to a metal field gate on your right.
Hop over said gate and you are soon at the two Barrows which are near the trees.

Easy enough to find and access then but unfortunately there isn’t much to see.
The Barrows are now no more than two rough patches of scrub in an otherwise crop filled field. They have clearly suffered further plough damage since E.H. last visited as they are now nowhere near as high as mentioned below.

E.H. state:
‘Two round barrows on Crawley Down, 830m NNE of Warren House. The two barrows are aligned along a slope with the saucer barrow to the east and the bowl barrow overlying it slightly to the west. Both have been lowered as a result of modern ploughing. The saucer barrow survives as a low and indistinct circular mound approx 15m in diameter and up to 1m on the northern side. The bowl barrow survives as a slightly oval shaped mound with a max diameter of 30m and standing up to 1.8m on the down slope’.

Visited 23.11.12

Directions:
Take the A30 east out of Stockbridge until you come to the junction with the A272.
Take the turning north (on the left) and the Barrows are in the small copse of trees on the left immediately past the farm drive.

I’m not having much luck today – either the Barrows I am looking for have been ploughed out or, as in this case, I can’t get to see them!

The problem is a 10ft high hedgerow which is so impenetrable that not only was there no way to get through it but I couldn’t even see through it.
Not sure how much you would be able to see as the Barrows could well be hidden by trees?

E.H. have nothing to say on the matter.

Visited 23.11.12

Directions:
Take the A30 east out of Stockbridge until you come to the junction with the A272.
Take the turning north (on the left) and the Barrow should be in the field on your left right next to the road.

The only problem is I couldn’t see any trace of the Barrow.
Perhaps it has been ploughed out since E.H. last visited?

E.H. state:
‘Long Barrow surviving as a low earthwork, situated just below the crest of a gentle SE facing slope. It survives to a length of 33m abd varies in width between 15m at the east end and 10m at the west end, standing to a maximum height of 1m. Flanking quarry ditches run parallel to the north and south sides of the mound, separated from it by narrow berms 1m wide’.

Visited 24.11.12

Directions:
From the large A303 / A34 junction north of Winchester take the A30 south.
When you come to the first roundabout in Egypt (no sign of the pyramids!) take the first exit. You will then shortly come to a cross roads (Norton/Wonston) – park here.
There is a public right of way which takes you straight to the Barrows (5 minute walk)

It was persistently raining and Karen and the children sat in the car while squelched through the mud and up to the tree covered Barrows.

There was a sign on a fence near the Barrows which stated that the site is named after a Richard Kitson who died in 1992.

Despite being located on no more than a low rise the Barrows do afford a decent view in this fairly flat part of the world.

This is an easy site to access and I am surprised that no one has reported on it before?

E.H. state:
‘The monument includes a bell barrow and a bowl barrow both of Bronze Age date. They are located on a slight promontory within a copse of trees formally known as Cranbourne Clump but now renamed as Kitson Clump. The bowl barrow is roughly circular, 21m in diameter and 1.2m high. The mound is deeply hollowed in the centre. The bell barrow lies 16m to the ENE and is 24m in diameter and 1.4m high. Two bronze daggers on the surface of the bell barrow’s mound are now in Winchester museum’.

Visited 23.11.12

A weekend away in Winchester and a chance to knock another couple of E.H. sites off the list.

First ‘port of call’ is this lovely little Barrow Cemetery.
As is often the case with these smaller sites, there are no E.H. signs to help show the way for the unsuspecting traveller – luckily I have my trusty O/S map!

Actually, the site is easy enough to find being near the crossroads in the centre of the field. The closest we could find to park was in Chestnut Avenue (private road!) a two minute walk away.

There is an E.H. information board (even if the details are incorrect) which has a section in Braille which is a nice touch (excuse the pun)

Despite the wet grass it was a lovely blue sky day and as expected, I had the site to myself with just the sound of birdsong for company.

As you go through the gate the large sarsen stone is on your left and a large tree trunk on your right. It feels a bit like going through an ‘entrance’ into the cemetery – although obviously it isn’t really! The sarsen stone is nice and smooth, with white and green lichen growing on its northern side. The tree has been cut right back and is now not much more than a large trunk.

The Bowl Barrow has clearly been dug into and is about 1m high x 15m across

The Disc Barrow is superb – easily the best I have ever seen.
It is about 40m across and the bank is surviving to a height of about 1m.

This is an excellent place to visit and I would highly recommend it when in the area.

***
My mum passed away two weeks ago after a long battle against cancer which saw her slowly waste away in front of our eyes. My sisters and I cared for her at home for most of the year and myself and Dafydd were with her when she died. I know she would have liked to have known Dafydd was in the room as he has always been the ‘chosen one’ who could do no wrong! Dafydd knows his Nan is now a star who will watch over him and keep him safe. (I am having difficulty writing this but I think it is therapeutic?)

The funeral was yesterday and this trip away was planned/booked several months ago. I do not know if the timing has turned out to be a good or bad thing.
It certainly does make you think much more about the ‘rituals’ which would have taken place when loved ones were laid to rest.

This fieldnote is dedicated to my mum who although never seeing the attraction in ‘old stones’ always encouraged me to get out and ‘see the world’.
R.I.P. mam.

Another visit 11.11.12

Dafydd came home with his ‘homework’ rom school which involved having a photo taken reading a book at an ‘unusual’ place (he is only 4 after all).

Ahah, thought I – I know just the place!
So off to St Lythans we went with Sophie in tow.

It was a lovely morning with a clear blue sky.
Although we passed a few peoplw visiting nearby Tinkinswood we had this site to ourselves.

We parked next to the audio machine which musch to Dafydd’s disappointment is already no longer working.

The area around the gate was muddy although it improved a lot the closer we got to the chamber.

A couple of photos later and we had a quick look around the tomb. As expected all was as it should be.

On Monday morning Dafydd proudly showed his photo to his teacher. I don’t suppose they had many photos from prehistoric burial chambers?!

Visited 14.10.12

Access is easy enough from the small parking area for Abbotsbury Castle Hillfort.

There are three Barrows to explore which are only a short distance from the car park.

The first Barrow is well mangled (technical term!) and stands next to a small derelict building of some sort. It is also close to a metal fire beacon which looks like one of those to mark the millennium? 2 huge toadstools grew nearby.

The second Barrow is approximately 1m high x 10m across and has been dug into.
It is covered in the dreaded gorse.

The third Barrow as also approx 1m x 10m and has again been dug into.
This is the best of the bunch; easy to see from a distance and covered in grass.

It is well worth the short walk to visit these Barrows when visiting the nearby Hillfort.
Great views can be had of Chesil Beach.

Visited 14.10.12

Surprised to find I am the first person to provide fieldnotes for this site!

Abbotsbury Castle Hillfort is very easy to access being alongside the B3157.
There is a small parking area along the minor road to the east of the site.
Access to the Hillfort from the car park is via steps and a permissive ‘path’.

Approached from the east, the two ramparts/ditches are quite substantial.
The outer rampart is about 3m high from the bottom of the ditch.
The inner rampart about 5m high.

On such a nice day there were lots of people about.
The Hillfort occupies a commanding position and affords great views out to Chesil Beach.

Due to time constraints I didn’t have time to explore the whole Hillfort so had to settle for the eastern end.
There is a ‘mound’ in the centre of the Hillfort approx 1m high x 5m across. A trig point sits on top of it.

This is an easy to access Hillfort, in good condition and with great views.
Well worth a visit when in this pretty part of the world.

Visited 14.10.12

We were heading home after a weekend away and the sun shone brightly in a deep blue sky. As we headed north out of Axminster, along the A358, I looked at the AA road atlas and spotted a familiar sight (a dotted red oval) near to where we were passing – a Hillfort!
Not wishing to push my luck I pointed out to Karen what a nice evening it was and did she fancy a ‘slight detour’ on the way home?
‘What do you want to see’? She asked in a knowing way.
‘Just a quick look at a Hillfort, it’s not far from her – honest!’ I chanced.
Good old Karen, true to form she went along with my request.

After successfully negotiating a maze of country lanes relying solely on said road atlas we eventually parked up near East Membury Farm. (It made me appreciate even more the O/S maps I usually use). Right next to where we parked was a wooden stile giving obvious access to the Hillfort.

I quickly stepped over the stile and headed up the hill towards the trees.
The single rampart is constructed of stones and stands to a pretty uniform height of about 1 metre. Although the centre of the hillfort is grass, a ring of trees/bushes follow the line of the rampart. The centre of the Hillfort if not flat but convex and oval in shape. Due to the trees there is little in the way of views although I am sure they would be fine if the trees were removed – not that I am proposing that! It takes about 10 minutes to walk right around the circumference of the Hillfort. I think I identified the entrance on the eastern side.

I am very surprised that I am the first person to be posting field notes on this site as it’s a pretty goon one – and it’s featured on the AA road atlas.
If you are ever in the area I would recommend you checking it out for yourself.

On the way back down the hill I picked up some acorns – a bit more for Dafydd’s school autumn project!

Visited 14.10.12

Whilst on Portland visiting Portland Castle (E.H. site – worth a visit) I took the opportunity to go and have a look at the possible remains of the stone circle.

There are several large stones interspersed within the walls either side of the road.
Most of the stones are approximately 1 metre square in size.

The stones are easy enough to spot along the road.
There’s not much else to add other than let’s hope these are the remains and that they have not been destroyed. Perhaps they will be re-erected somewhere one day?
I know it’s not ideal but it would be better than where they are at the moment.

Visited 14.10.12

To be honest it wasn’t until I returned home that I discovered that this site may have prehistoric origins.
In saying that it would seem an obvious site as the hill dominates the immediate surrounding area.

There is a fence which runs around the perimeter of the ‘mound’ which presumably is there to keep the sheep out of the chapel.
The chapel is still used for the occasional service and is worth a look around.

It was a lovely sunny day; breezy but blue skies.
Dafydd is learning about autumn in school and has to do a little project.
On the way up the hill we found some red berries and various leaves of red, yellow and brown.
He was happy and so was I.

Visited 13.10.12

I had a quick ‘stop off’ to look for the Barrow on the way up to Eggardon Hillfort.
All that can be seen is a low grass covered mound.

E.H. state:
‘A bowl barrow situated on the summit of a prominent steeply sided ridge. The barrow survives as a flat topped mound approx 15m in diameter and 0.6m high’.

‘Drive by’ 13.10.12

There are 3 Barrows in this group which lay a little south east of Eggardon Hillfort.

The Barrow nearest the road was just about able to be seen as a low, ploughed out grass mound.
I was not able to spot either of the other two Barrows.

E.H. has nothing to say on the matter.

Visited 13.10.12

That pesky rain cloud was now directly above us and it was pouring down.

We pulled into a passing place which conveniently is right next to the remains of the burial chamber.

I bravely (or stupidly) jumped out the car to look for a way through/over the neck high barbed wire fence. As I was contemplating easing my way through the fence it soon became apparent I would be drenched in about 5 minutes. Given that there is little to see of the remains (a couple of large stones piled together – which could easily be seen anyway from the road) I decided to settle for a road side view and jump back into the dry of the car.

On a dry day I may have attempted a closer look – but not today!

Visited 13.10.12

WOW – what a great Hillfort to visit this is!

Directions:
Come off the A35 and take the minor road north through the village of Askerswell.
When you come to the crossroads take the turning to the right and follow the road north which takes you to the Hillfort. There is a parking area just to the SE of the Hillfort.

This is a N.T. site to access is not a problem with a permissive footpath running right through the site. There is an information board near the stile leading into the Hillfort.

I was surprised by how well this Hillfort is preserved. It reminded me very much of a mini Maiden Castle (which isn’t too far away).
The ditches/ramparts at the southern end are still very impressive – the ditch being about 3m deep and the bank rising to about 6m from the bottom of the ditch.

I walked anti-clockwise around the Hillfort and kept a look out for the two Barrows the information board said were in the middle of the site.

It was a lovely day for the time of year with blue skies and lots of white fluffy clouds. Windy as you would expect at a Hillfort. There was one mean looking black cloud heading straight for me and I could already see the rain falling from it – time to retreat back to the car!

The views are great and so is the Hillfort.
This Hillfort should be a ‘must see’ when in the area – visit if you can.

Visited 13.10.12

As recommended we parked at the Little Chef and Karen and the children enjoyed some refreshments while I headed through the gate and across the field to the trees where this stone circle lives. (5 minute walk)

It is a well maintained site with a fence surrounding the circle for protection and the grass kept short. Despite the very close proximity of the busy A35 it wasn’t long before the calming atmosphere of the place takes you over and you even stop noticing the cars screaming past.

As with most of the places I visited this weekend I had the site to myself which was nice. Particularly this site as it is a place to sit and ponder. The sky was blue with white fluffy clouds floating by; the October sunshine filtering through the leaves. Saplings have been planted along the roadside to shelter the circle even more and a sign has been put up asking people to access via the Little Chef and not by climbing over the fence.

The first thing to strike me was the stones themselves. I have never seen stones made up of so much flint – quite strange. The next thing was the large (dead?) tree which had had its branches cut off. There were masses of toad stools growing out of the base of the tree.

Looking at the stones one by one I discovered an egg ‘offering’ had been placed in a small crevice. The stones varied in height from about 0.3m to 2m.

This is a good place to visit.

Visited 13.10.12

We parked in the lay by and I walked up the grass verge looking for the stone – I couldn’t see it. Luckily I had a photo of the stone so knew it was near the road sign – I still couldn’t see it.

I then scrapped around with my foot only to discover I was actually stood on top of it!
The stone was completely hidden by grass and I did my best to clear the surface away as best I could.

There is little so see and not a stone I could recommend a visit to.

It is only a matter of time before the stone becomes hidden for good.

Visited 13.10.12

As a birthday treat we had a weekend away in Weymouth (chance for me to knock several E.H. sites off the list). Looking at the map it soon became apparent that this part of the world is chock-a-block with prehistoric sites and a full week would be needed for a proper visit – never mind a weekend. Still, I was sure I could manage a few sites during our short break!

Heading east along the very busy A35 I kept a sharp look out for the entrance to Wellbottom Lodge where E.H. state you can access the site from. Needless to say we initially drove straight past it – which isn’t surprising given it is a very small entrance surrounded by trees. After a bit of a dodgy turn round using the layby near the Broad Stone we were soon parking up next to the house.

At this point it occurred to me that although access is via Wellbottom Lodge that isn’t the same as saying you are able to park there! Looking at the drive I suspect you are not although as no one came out of the house confirming this I decided to take a chance and park there anyway as otherwise it would have involved a dangerous walk along the A35 from the layby to get to the lodge. Besides, Karen and the children stayed in the car so if anyone did come out she could use her feminine charms!

Opposite the lodge is a small gravel path with a gate at each end – this is the access point to the Barrows. A small E.H. info board is provided. You then enter the fields in which lie the Barrows and home to a lot of sheep. There are several Barrows to be seen in this field; across the road and there is also one near the lodge. This is one of those places where the best view would be had via a balloon flight – or if you are feeling brave a Felix Baumgartner sky dive!!
You actually get a good view of the Barrows by simply driving along the A35.

Despite being an E.H. site access isn’t as easy as it should be due to the parking problems. For most people I would suggest a ‘drive by’ along the A35 would suffice.

Visited 30.9.12

For directions see Blaen Clydach Fach Cairns.
From the cairns keep heading north until you come to a sort of cross roads with a small army base on the left. The enclosure is approx 1km along the track which runs alongside the army buildings.

The warning signs I had read were still on my mind and when I saw the army buildings I started to think this may not be a good idea. Another red flag was flying.
This was confirmed when I spotted the big red warning sign at the start of the track which said something along the lines of ‘No access – Authorised personnel only’.

I guess I could have taken a chance and asked at the building but as it was a long walk and the weather was awful I decided against it and headed onto my last site of the day which was only a little further north – Garn Wen round cairn.

COFLEIN states:
An Iron Age defended enclosure with an internal platform 35x x 13m separated from the encircling ramparts by a probable quarry-ditch. The rampart does not continue about the east end where the ground tails away to a natural spur and where the entrance is thought to be located’.

Visited 30.9.12

Directions:
Take the A40 west out of Brecon until you reach Llwel.
Then take the (military?) road north signposted Tirabad.
The cairns are on the left next to a parking / viewing spot.

*** NOTE – it appears this road is not always open to the public – depending on any military activity taking place.

Looking at the map I just assumed this was an ‘ordinary’ minor road wending it’s way through the Brecon Beacons. Upon arriving at Llwel we were confronted with a large ‘military type’ sign stating that the road is not always open to the public. A barrier was next to the road and a sign warned against the public opening the barrier if it was closed. The signs also went on to say that if the road is open all signs must be followed and that stopping on the road was strictly forbidden! Not a good start!

What also didn’t help was the fact the weather was foul. The wind was near gale force and the rain horizontal. To add to the mix the mountain mist had come down and visibility was at a premium. Despite the warning signs (and the weather) in true TMA style we (I) decided to press on regardless.

Despite the warning signs I thought it reasonable to park at the viewing area as there is a parking area, bench and one of those bronze panoramas showing what to look out for. However, it was not the view to the east that I was interested in (besides which you couldn’t actually see anything due to the mist) but the two Cairns to the west.

Next to the parking area is a metal field gate. I decided to ignore the ‘Do not enter – live firing range’ type sign and hop over the gate to look for the Cairn. Perhaps this is not the most sensible thing to do (particularly as a red flag was flying) but as the field was full of sheep and I couldn’t actually here any firing going on I thought I would be safe for a few minutes!

The sheep were doing a fine job keeping the grass down and the Cairn was easy enough to find – despite the weather! Not a lot to see – a low mound with stones sticking through the grass on its eastern side. I didn’t hang around long and quickly squelched my way back to the car.

COFLEIN states:
‘A partially disturbed cairn, 12m in diameter and 0.6m high’ (Cairn 1)

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

A little to the north is Blaen Clydach Fach – Cairn 2.

This is in the next field where there are no sheep and as a result there is a lot of ‘spiky grass’ in evidence. This (and the weather which was by now getting worse) made finding the Cairn tricky. There were a couple of possibilities but I am not sure if I actually found it – not that there is much to see.

COFLEIN states:
‘A wrecked and robbed cairn, once 17m in diameter, now irregular and 0.5m high at most’.

Visited 9.9.12

No more than a grass covered ‘bump’ – approx 0.5m high x 15m across.

Although the Barrow is close to the road, the hedgerows are high and it is difficult to even get a glimpse of the ‘bump’ – don’t bother.

COFLEIN states:
‘A mutilated roughly circular mound set on the crest of a hill. It is about 16m in diameter and 0.7m high. Similar mounds are generally identified as prehistoric funerary monuments, often Bronze Age’.

Visited 9.9.12

No more than a slight ‘bump’ in the middle of a grass field – don’t bother.

COFLEIN states:
‘A ploughed down roughly circular mound some 30m in diameter and 0.6m high’.

Visited 9.9.12

This is a whopper of a stone which unsurprisingly is easily seen from the road.
I would estimate the stone to be 9ft tall x 3ft wide at the base.

Parking is easy although to get up close and personal with the stone you would have to clamber over a wall and a barbed wire fence.

Well worth a view when in the area.

Visited 10.9.12

The site is sign posted and a 5 minute walk brings you to this well preserved enclosure.

On the way through the fields check out the ruined chapel (also a CADW site).

The hut group is in a delightful woodland setting and has good information boards.
The information boards date the site back to the Iron Age. Then used throughou the Romano-British period.

There are good coastal views.

This is well worth a visit when visiting the nearby Lligwy Dolmen which is just up the road.

Visited 10.9.12

Best place to park is the parking area for the Din Lligwy Hut Group and then take a short walk south down the country lane.

This is an excellent site to visit and the capstone is indeed enormous!
I would estimate it to be 3m x 3m x 1m thick.

Although initially a little afraid; Sophie soon got the hang of things and was wandering about inside the chamber.
He had a quick game of ‘peek-a-boo’ through the supporting upright stones.

This is an excellent tomb to visit which is easy to access.
A ‘must see’ when visiting Anglesey.

Visited 11.9.12

The ivy has now all been removed so spotting the stone in the wall is very easy.
This is a big old stone – approx 3 metres tall x 1 metre across.

WE parked on the verge opposite the stone and I was surprised when Karen said ‘Shall I go and have a look?’ – this is something she very rarely does!
‘Of course, I will stay with Sophie’ I replied
‘Give it a hug!’ I shouted out of the window.
‘No, but I will give it pat’ replied Karen (well, it’s a start!)

This is such an easy stone to see it would be a shame to miss it when visiting Anglesey.

Visited 11.9.12

It was a bright and warm late summer’s evening, with white fluffy clouds – ideal weather for a spot of ‘old stoning’.

We parked in a passing place on the minor road off the B5112 – a very quiet road.

You can’t see the stone from the road and I had to find a suitable gap in the hedge.
This I did and then needed to navigate my way over a barbed wire fence.

The field was full of sheep and cows and it didn’t take long to spot the stone.
The stone is approximately 5ft tall x 2ft wide.
It is quite colourful with white, green and yellow lichen on its surface.
The stone has clearly been used as a rubbing post for many years and has been worn smooth.
It is a gnarled old thing and reminded me a lot of the Rollright stones.

Good views of Snowdonia in the distance.
Well worth seeking out.

Visited 10.9.12

The stone stands in a field next to the very busy A5025 just south of Llanfaethlu.

We parked near the pub and I walked down the road to the stone.

Due to the barbed wire I settled for a view over the wall.

The standing stone is approximately 3 metres tall and is covered in green ‘hairy’ lichen.

Well worth a look when in the area.

Visited 11.9.12

For a minor road it sure is busy!

We just about managed to squeeze in where the road was slightly wider for a quick visit.

To get to the stone you have to climb over a wall and 2 barbed wire fences!

The standing stone is approximately 2 metres tall and is quite slender.
There are great views over to Snowdonia.

Worth a visit but parking is very difficult.

Visited 12.9.12

As Postie says there is no public access to this stone and I didn’t have the time or inclination to go looking for permission.
I therefore settled for a view from the road; over the hedgerow.
The stone appears to be approximately 1.5 metres tall and is easily seen.

Visited 12.9.12

We squeezed in at the field gate and I quickly hopped over and headed up the hill.

The stone is not visible from the road.

As soon as you reach the top of the hill the stone is easy to spot.
It is about 1 metre high x 0.5 metre wide – light grey in colour. There are several stones packed in around its base.

As long as you can park an easy stone to visit and worth the effort.

Visited 10.9.12

The rain had started to come down but I was determined to visit this site after seeing photos of the stones on TMA.

We parked on the verge to the north of the stones (next to a house) and I started to make my way south west to my target. I didn’t get very far when I found the public footpath had had barbed wire draped across it. ‘I’m not going to let that stop me’ thought I, so I jumped through a gap in the hedge and circumnavigated the aforementioned obstruction (that’s a lot of big words!). I then walked through two fields of sheep before getting to the stones via a stone stile on the left.

Note – when visiting the stones from this direction you are pretty much on top of them before you see them.

This really is a cracking site. The stones are all about 2 metres tall and are covered in green, yellow and ‘hairy’ lichen. I can’t comment on the view as the rain was getting heavier and the mist was coming down. On a nice day this would be a good place to spend some time – but not on a day like today.

Visited 10.9.12

An easy stone to access.
When you drive into Llanfechell look for number 15a Gorwel Deg.
To the left of the house is a stone stile – this allows you into the field where the standing stone resides.

The stone is approximately 7ft tall x 4ft wide. The stone is pretty thin.
It is clearly a popular perching place for birds judging by the amount of crap on it!
This is a good looking stone with veins of white quartz running through it.

While I was stood next to the stone it was a bit disconcerting to hear the fizz and buzz of the overhead cables cracking overhead.
I wonder what the ancients would have thought of it all?

Visited 10.9.12

This standing stone is also easy to spot but unlike its southern counterpart it would be tricky to visit without having to first ask permission from the land owner. I therefore settled for a view from the roadside.

The standing stone is approximately 3 metres tall and is set on a raised mound.

Visited 10.9.12

This stone is very easy to visit as it is right next to the road.
Access to the field is via a handy gate although it was very muddy.

The standing stone is approximately 2 metres tall and has that ‘hairy’ green lichen on it.

Visited 10.9.12

Another CADW site – Anglesey certainly has its fair share of them!

We parked near the field gate and soon discovered that the field in which the stones reside was a sea of activity.

The weather was dry and the last of the crop was being harvested.
There were two of those clever machines in operation which wraps bails of hay in plastic – very interesting if you ever get to see one in action.
It looked like the whole family were out – grandparents, wives, children etc.
Of course they all stopped and stared as I smiled and waved and marched straight to the standing stones!
I saw one of the farmers whispering in a small boy’s ear.
Probably went something like this– ‘that’s one of those strange folk I told you about’!!

The stones occupy a commanding spot which gives good views.
Both stones are about 8ft high and are covered in green lichen.

These stones are easy to access and are well worth a visit.

Visited 10.9.12

This stone was easy to find (despite the new road system) as it is visible from the road. A generic information board is provided.

This stone has a lot of character and is covered in yellow and ‘hairy’ lichen.

Between the standing stone and the road there is a line of large stones.
These are in the field in which the stone resides and the field next door.
Presumably these are modern and something to do with the road changes?