CARL

Visited 23.5.11
We arrived at the visitor’s centre just after it opened and myself and Dafydd booked ourselves onto the tour of both Knowth and Newgrange. Karen decided to stay in the centre with Sophie, drinking coffee and talking to American tourists!
We walked over the bridge and caught the 9.15 bus to Knowth. There were only two other people on the bus – two friendly Americans.
The driver was very friendly and dropped us off near the entrance where we were met by a friendly guide – who was very good throughout our visit.
The wind was terrible. Dafydd had difficulty walking and I had to carry him most of the time.
It felt odd being here. Somewhere on my ‘wish list’ which I had seen and read so much about over the years. It all felt a little surreal, a bit like the Passage Tombs which reminded me of giant mushrooms!
I really liked this place; the decorated stones were everywhere and were fantastic. My favourite part of Knowth was the entrance opposite the ‘entrance’ you go in. (As an aside, I liked the way they have left the ditch open so you get an idea of scale – pity they never did this at Avebury). I really liked the two standing ‘male’ and ‘female’ stones along with the art work.
It is a shame you can only look up the grilled passage ways but the guide explained why this had to be so. She herself had been into the tomb proper and said it was not a great place to be – I am sure there are many reading this that would care to disagree!! She stated that this was the chamber Neil Oliver was filmed in during the recent Ancient Britain TV series. She also pointed to the spot where the funeral pyre was lit.
We walked up onto the top of the Tomb but the wind was now bordering on gale force and we didn’t stay for long.
It was soon time to catch the bus back to the visitor centre to catch the bus to Newgrange!!

The information leaflet I was given when visiting Craggaunowen states that this is part of a genuine Iron Age wooden track (or Togher). It was excavated in 1985 at Corlea Bog in County Longford and then moved to its current location.
It is about 10 metres long and 2 metres wide. It consists of a series of wooden logs laid side by side. Only the tops of the logs are visible through the ‘boggy type’ soil. I imagine this is done to help preserve the wood as long as possible?
There is not a huge amount to see but how often do you get the chance to see an Iron Age track way?
Well worth a view when visiting the wonderful Craggaunowen Centre.

Visited 19.5.11
Just to the south of the Wedge Tomb is a small cairn made up entirely of stones. Surrounded by trees it is approximately 0.5 metres high x 4 metres x 6 metres.
Goes to show that this was still a special place long after the Wedge Tomb was built.
Well worth a quick look.

Visited 21.5.11
I didn’t know about this site until I saw it advertised on a tourist leaflet I picked up in the hotel. As it was very near to the Glebe stone circles a visit became a must!
The Cairn is signposted from the main road and there is a lay by that you can pull into.
A 100 metre walk will take you to a stone stile built into a field wall (on your right).
The Cairn is huge and is said to commemorate the Battle of Moytura in 500BC!
I climbed to the top but the weather had closed in and it was windy and raining – not great for trying to admire the view!
I didn’t hang around too long and headed back to the car. The Cairn is just about visible from the road through the trees.
Certainly worth a look when in the area.

Failed to find this one!
I was only able to find and visit 3 of the Glebe circles. I couldn’t see this circle from the ‘main’ circle. Perhaps it was hidden behind the large conifer trees?
By now the rain was getting heavier and it was time to walk back to the car to the waiting Karen, Dafydd and Sophie – via the walls and barbed wire!

This circle was accessed from the ‘main’ circle by climbing over a wall and barbed wired fencing. There are a dozen or stones still standing with many fallen. The surrounding bank is about 0.5metres high. Not in great condition but certainly worth a visit. The fence was quite difficult to get over

This circle required even more walls to climb over isn’t as easy as it sounds due to the fragility of the walls. This circle appeared to stand on a raised platform and had trees growing in the middle. There were several large stones piled up next to the trees – from the circle itself?

Visited 21.5.11
What a cracking stone circle this is! (The main circle that is)
The field in which the circle stands was full of cows that were too busy chewing the cud to be bothered by me. I hopped over the protective black metal fence and had the circle to myself.
The slightly raised ground the circle stands on plus the trees gives this a lovely setting – it also provided me with cover out of the rain to write my notes!
I counted 17 stones left in the circle with a stump of a stone just outside the circle. There were also 3 stones piled to one side – fallen stones from the circle?
In the centre of the circle is the remains of a cairn which was covered in grass with just the tops of some stones sticking out.
This is a great site to visit but access to the stone circles (other than the ‘main’ one) is difficult. Two however be clearly seen from the edge of the field which the ‘main’ circle stands in.

Visited 21.5.11
The Henge is easy to spot on the left hand side of the road when heading south along the N84.
You can park near the houses opposite the site – turn off for the L56635.
A private drive leads from the main road to a house which I presume owns the land in which the Henge stands?
I decided not to do the decent thing and knock and ask permission. Instead I jumped over the gate and headed quickly across the field to the obscurity of the trees/bushes which cover the Henge. Out of sight – out of mind!
This is one of the best Henges I have been to. It is very large and the outer of the two banks has over 100 small stones set. The outer bank is about 1 metre high from the outside but well over head height when standing in the ditch.
Access to the inside of the Henge was neigh on impossible due to the brambles/nettles etc until I found an ‘entrance’ on the northern edge. The inside of the Henge was clear although covered in waist high nettles. Several large stones could be seen lying haphazardly on the ground. (Former perimeter stones?)
This would be an excellent site to visit if it was cleared of the trees and undergrowth. As it is I would say one for the keen only although it is easy to access.

Visited 20.5.11
A very easy site to access – next to the road with a large free car park and 3 very good information boards.
A path takes you from the car park to the site although the Tomb itself is roped off.
Just to make sure you were not tempted to go under the rope for a closer look a council ‘official’ was sitting in his van to keep an eye on things! (I doubt he is there 24/7!)
The Tomb is on an unusual setting of rocky outcrops which looked pretty with plenty of primroses growing out of the cracks.
This is a busy site with several coaches of tourists coming and going while I was there (and I wasn’t there that long!). I don’t have a problem with this as I figure the more people who visit historic / prehistoric sites the better chance they will be respected and cared for in the future. Such popular sites as this must raise the public appreciation of their importance?
The Tomb is certainly well worth stopping off for a visit when in the area.

Visited 20.5.11
As with the Portal Tomb, the stone appears genuine enough but I can’t believe it just ‘happens’ to be standing here.
It is far more likely to either be a reconstruction or is genuine but brought here from somewhere else.
It is approximately 2 metres high and has Ogham Script down one edge.

Visited 20.5.11
What a wonderful place to visit. It’s a bit like a smaller version of St Fagans open air museum in Cardiff. The weather was fine and myself, Karen, Dafydd and Sophie spent a lovely couple of hours here. Car park, toilets, tea rooms and shop are all provided. In addition to the Crannogs Craggaunowen has a reconstructed Iron Age field, cooking site, Ring Fort and Souterrain.
I would highly recommend a visit here.
The Crannog reconstruction is very well done and is bigger than the other two Crannog reconstructions I have previously visited at Llangorse Lake in South Wales and Loch Tay in Scotland. Dafydd in particular enjoyed running in and out of the round houses.

Visited 20.5.11
Although the tomb looks genuine it has clearly been reconstructed and must have been transported to this spot at some point in the past? Unfortunately there is no information in the visitor’s guide on the history of the tomb.
It is nice to look at anyway.

Visited 19.5.11
Very easy to access and in a lovely setting near Lough Gur.
We parked in the lay by and I walked up the grass slope to the tomb. Dafydd wanted to come but had decided to take his shoes and socks off so I had to carry him across the wet grass.
There are four capstones over the tomb and an information board is near by.
Not as big or bold as other sites I have visited today but still well worth the little effort it takes to visit.
This would be a great site for a picnic on a nice summer’s day (not today!)

Visited 19.5.11
From the main stone circle I climbed over the barbed wire fence and made my way across the field. Around the stones I saw what I though was another herd of young cows, unfortunately when I got closer I realised they were in fact bullocks!!
As soon as they saw me they all headed my way and I had to take refuge by standing on top of one of the stones in the circle! I was just glad that I didn’t have Dafydd with me.
This was another near perfect circle made up of 15 stones and just as impressive as Lios – only smaller.
I waited for the bullocks to get bored and move on – unfortunately they didn’t. I chose my spot and headed back across the field as fast as I could walk. The bullocks put on a bit of a sprint and I had to repeatedly turn and shout/wave my arms for them to back off. Eventually I got to the edge of the field and back over the fence – safety!
If when you visit the bullocks are still there may I suggest setting for a view from the fence?

Visited 19.5.11
WOW! I have been blown away with the quality of the prehistoric sites I have visited since coming to Ireland and this is yet another cracker – one of the best stone circles I have ever visited. Very easy to access being right next to the road and parking is no problem.
There was a donation box attached to the gate which is for the upkeep of the site and I was more than happy to contribute.
The circle was full of young cows that completely ignored me and carried on chewing the cud. I wasn’t quite as lucky as I managed to step in 3 separate cow pats!
This is an almost a perfect circle of stones of various height – too many to count accurately.
One stone is a huge square block that would not have looked out of place in Avebury – about 2 metres x 2 metres x 1 metre.
The strange ‘alter’ made up of small stones is still standing.

Visited 20.5.11
Eventually managed to find this Wedge Tomb – but only just
Following the directions I had read I found the drive leading to the farm and parked on the verge at the junction. I walked down the drive and saw the barn/shed on the left – no sign of the tomb which was described as being in front of said barn/shed. I walked up and down – nothing. I jumped over the fence and walked all around the barn/shed – again nothing.
As I was about to give up and walk back to the car I saw it; barely visible hidden underneath a large bramble bush and ivy – right next to the drive, immediately in front of the barn/shed. It is against the wall between the two metal field gates.
I kicked the nettles and brambles to one side and was just about able to peer into the chamber.
The chamber was about 3 metres long x 1.5 metres wide x 1 metre high.
At this point the farmer came along in his car, opened the window and said something to me.
What he said I have no idea but as he had a smile on his face I assume he was ok with me on his land? The funny thing is, he was the only person I met on my week in Ireland that I couldn’t understand!
This site is easy enough to access as long as you know where to look. In saying that there isn’t much to see unless someone comes along first with a sharp pair of shears.

Failed to find this one!
It should have been easy enough; next to the main road and even advertised on a tourist leaflet. But despite driving up and down the road and up and down the road again I couldn’t spot it. The landscape around this area is very rocky and in all probability I saw it without realising that I had! As this should have been an easy site to visit I was left rather frustrated.

Visited 20.5.11
I wasn’t expecting be able to visit Caherconnell as I didn’t think we would have time but (for a change) we were ahead of schedule so we arrived an hour before the visitor centre was due to close.
The site is well signposted and has a large free car park with a restaurant, toilets, shop etc – everything you could wish for!
After paying to get in, I took the path from the visitor’s centre up to the stone fort – only a short walk taking about 5 minutes. You first come to a building which shows a short presentation film (on a loop) to get you in the ‘mood’.
The fort itself isn’t that big (compared with a Hillfort anyway) although the walls are well preserved, being up to 3 metres high and 2 metres thick) – more like the ruins of a medieval castle – only round!
Of particular interest were the prehistoric structures discovered just outside the fort. The leaflet describes them as:
‘A rectilinear timber framed structure with hearth dating to the late Neolithic/Bronze Age. The well preserved dry stone sub-circular structure is later, partly built on the site of the earlier house. This site is unique in the archaeology of Britain and Ireland’.
It is this later stone structure that you can see – dug into the ground – approximately 1 metre deep and 2 metres round. It has an entrance way about 2 metres long and again 1 metre deep.
The earlier wooden structure is marked out with modern wooden posts.
There is a green metal ‘garden shed’ with a computer terminal in it that gives details of the site.

Visited 19.5.11
Yet another cracking Irish Wedge Tomb – another ‘must visit’ site.
Very easy to access being right beside the road although you do have to climb over a metal raining to get into the tomb. This must be an impressive site as even Karen squeezed through the gap in the uprights to get inside the tomb! From the inside the burial chamber looks much bigger than it does on the outside. The largest of the 3 capstones is huge.
We had a family picture taken sat on the stones in front of the tomb.

Visited 19.5.11
The directions given by Julian in the big orange book are spot on – otherwise it would have been a swine to find.
Once we arrived at the relevant farm I opened the gate and was met by the farmer. He was friendly and pointed me in the right direction for the tomb which is located in the field behind the large green barn. A 5 minute walk and I was there.
The tomb is smaller than it looks in pictures (a bit like Men an Tol in Cornwall) but is well worth a visit nonetheless. The tomb is about 10 metres in diameter and the gallery is about 6 metres long. The 3 capstones are supported on 12 uprights.
It was a very pleasant visit with swallows circling overhead, the sun breaking through the clouds and Lupins growing in and around the tomb.

Visited 17.5.11.
On the way to Fishguard to catch the ferry over to Ireland it seemed daft to not call in and check out this standing stone I spotted on the O/S map.
Directions:
Driving through Wolf’s Castle on the A40 you shortly come to a cross roads. Turn left and then take a sharp left. You pass a farm house on your left and you can pull in here. (Hen Dy Ffarm)
To the right of the house is a ‘track’ which starts stony and then turns to mud as you go along it. It looks like a cattle track and leads into a sort of small ‘enclosure’. (There is public right of way along this track) When you come to the ‘enclosure’ with its 3 metal gates, go through the gate on your left – the stone can be seen from here in the middle of the field.
This is a cracker of a stone and I am surprised it has not already been recorded on TMA. It is about 2 metres high and covered in yellow and white lichen on its sides. The top of the stone had dried out green lichen – very colourful!
The site was easy to access and is well worth a look when in the area.

COFLEIN describes this site:
A standing stone is located in a field largely cleared of stones on ground falling away gently to the E.
Of local stone, it measures 2.15m high on the E, downhill, side, 2.10m high on the W, 1.75m wide (NE-SW) and 0.5m thick. Likely packing stones are visible and the stone is surrounded by a shallow hollow 0.1m-0.2m deep, especially visible on the E.
visited DKL 14 October 1998

I also noticed on the O/S map a ‘Fort’ a little way to the east (SM95922749) but didn’t have time to have a look – not visible from the road. COFLEIN describes the site as an Iron Age enclosure.

As an aside, on the way to Wolf’s Castle I noticed from the road an unusual rock formation on the left hand side of the road. I know nothing about this but it did look interesting. Perhaps something requiring further investigation?

My 600th Field Note!!

Visited 18.5.11
Final stop on the Tramore ‘Dolmen Drive’ and what a cracker to finish with!
Parking up on the grass verge on a minor road south of the village of Dunhill I was initially apprehensive when I saw a sign on the field gate which read ‘warning – bull on land’!!
After a careful scan around the field I hopped over the gate and ducked under the electric fence. I walked over to the tomb and had a good walk around the wooden fence which is there to presumably stop damage caused by cattle?
The capstone is a whopper of a boulder and certainly must have taken some lifting. There is one large stone to the front and many more smaller stones scattered around.
On my way back to the car all the cows in the adjoining field started making their own way back to the farm for milking. How do cows know how to do this?
All in all a cracking day ‘old stoning’ following the Dolmen Drive – highly recommended.

Visited 18.5.11
Stop number 5 on the Tramore ‘Dolmen Drive’.
This tomb took a bit of finding but we got there in the end. Situated in the middle of a field to the right of a minor road to the north of Ballynageeragh village (which has the dolman painted on its pub sign!)
Although the tomb has been ‘restored’ with concrete around the base of the uprights and a wall built at one end, don’t be put off as this is a nice place to visit. The wall states that the tomb was restored by P Murray and Sons 1940)
There is a small info board.

‘Visited’ 29.5.11
Well, when I say visited more like looking at the Barrows through the window of a speeding car!
Heading north, four Barrows are clearly visible on the left hand side of the road and a bit further north, another single Barrow is visible on the right – this Barrow looks to have been cut in half by a field hedge.
The Barrows looked to be in good nick (except the one cut in half!) although it was difficult to judge their size due to Karens reluctance to go a bit slower (we were running late). All the Barrows appeared to be running in a line along the valley floor?
Well worth a peak when driving past. It would obviously help if someone else was driving at the time!!

‘Visited’ 29.5.11
Whilst passing through the area on the way home from a family do it seemed only appropriate that I should have a quick look at such an important prehistoric site. Nothing to see now excepft open grassy fields but time to stop and ponder a little...........

Visited 18.5.11
Stop number 2 on the Tramore ‘Dolmen Drive‘
WOW, what a Portal Tomb and what a setting!
We parked outside the very posh electric gates and I walked through the entrance on the left and up the newly tarmac drive leading to the posh house. A short walk up the drive and a sign points the way on the left. There is an info board to read and a kissing gate to walk through.
As you walk through the trees the tomb suddenly jumps out at you and it really was a ‘wow’ moment for me. The tomb sits in a cleared wooded area – lovely in the summer sunshine.
The tomb is at least two metres high and about 5 metres in length. There are 5 uprights – 3 of whom support the large capstone. The capstone is way above head height. Gaulstown reminded me a little of Pentre Ifan in west Wales. Although there has been some concrete work done to support the stones this does not detract from its wonder.
Someone had recently visited this site before me as there were several tea lights still aflame inside the tomb.
This is another ‘must visit’ site. Access is easy and the tomb is a cracker.

Visited 18.5.11
Stop number 3 on the Tramore ‘Dolmen Drive’ – although not a Dolmen!!
This standing stone is apparently the tallest in the Waterford area, standing at nearly 4 metres high. The stone is visible from the road and stands in the middle of the field; set against a dramatic background of rocky hills in the distance. I was so taken by its location I even took a photo of it – something I rarely do.
There was a warning sign on the field gate ‘private / no public access’ etc and I didn’t see the point in entering the field as I was happy to admire the view from the gate.
Well worth a look when in the area.

Visited 18.5.11
Stop number 4 on the Tramore ‘Dolmen Drive’.
We parked at the weigh bridge office and went to ask for permission to visit the site. Everyone had gone home for the day so a quick up and over the wooden fence and I was close up and personal with this wedge tomb. (Avoiding the electric fence of course!)
The tomb consists of 3 capstones supported by 12 upright stones – the tallest being about 1.5 metres high. There are numerous large boulders to the front and ferns grow inside the tomb.
It is in an elevated position with good views all around.
Well worth a visit when in the area.

Visited 18.5.11
My very first site visit outside of the UK and the first site of my week in Ireland – and what a way to start! A cracker of a site!
This was the first stop on the Tramore ‘Dolmen Drive’. (well worth checking out if visiting southern Ireland).
It was a lovely summers day and we parked outside the house which faced the field in which the tomb stands. The tomb is visible from the field gate, on the opposite side of the field.
Karen and Sophie stayed in the car whilst myself and Dafydd climbed over the metal field gate and headed across the field towards the tomb. The grass was waist high to Dafydd who had difficulty walking through it although he later had the last laugh as he was small enough to get into the burial chamber while I had to look from outside!
The tomb is just the other side of a stone field wall but we first had to carefully crawl under an electric fence. Once over the wall (stone steps)the tomb was a sight to behold.
About 3 metres high and comprising of two capstones – well over head height. There are 6 large uprights – 5 of which support the capstones. Unfortunately the tomb was badly overgrown with nettles and brambles.
Myself and Dafydd climbed up onto the capstone and admired the view. You could easily see into the chamber and there is room to squeeze in through the gaps. The larger gap being blocked with brambles. Dafydd was able to crawl through the smaller gap.
Someone had visited the site fairly recently and had left an ‘offering’ of bluebells on the chamber floor.
This is a great site to visit and the tomb is as perfect as you could wish to find. The only down side is the lack of signs and the maze of lanes you have to navigate through. (It took us a while to find the place) In saying that it is well worth the effort and you will not be disappointed.

Visited 29.4.11
Spotted this on the O/S map (marked fort) and a visit was therefore required!
I parked at the field gate on the minor road to the east of the site next to a broken public footpath sign. I followed the public footpath along the edge of the field to the point where it comes to the small copse of trees. Here I was met with a sign stating that the path going up the hill (where I wanted to go) was on private property (the public footpath continues north west).
Needless to say I ignored said sign and headed up hill along the edge of the field following the tractor tracks. At the top of the hill was another sign stating that this was private property and access was not allowed – clearly visitors were not welcome! I don’t know why as the gate at the top of the hill was wide open and only led to a rectangular shaped grass field – no crops or animals.
The eastern ramparts had all been ploughed away although the defences to the west were better preserved. A single bank / ditch survive to a height of about 0.5 metres on the inside of the Hillfort and about 3 metres when standing in the outer ditch.
In a field to the east is a very odd circular ‘thing’. Fairly small, surrounded with what appeared to be a wall and hedge of some sort. Certainly not old but strange all the same – I wonder what it is?
The 10 minute walk back to the car was lovely. Sun shining, pheasants scurrying about, birds singing and best of all, sheep and young lambs bleating in the distance. The countryside can indeed be a wonderful place to take a walk. Those people who never see outside of a city don’t know what they are missing. We of course know better!!

SX77255165
Visited 3.5.11
I spotted this site on my O/S just off the A381, to the south of the hamlet of Halwell
If taking the minor road to the north it is signposted ‘Little Oaks’.
If taking the track to the south it is signposted ‘Stanborough Hundred’.
DO NOT attempt to drive down the track to the east of the site unless you happen to be in a tractor!
After risking the exhaust / suspension of my car I was rewarded with a field with nothing in it! I could see no trace of the Hillfort and would therefore recommend not wasting your time in visiting. I would rather recommend you check out Halwell Camp a mile or two to the north – easy to access and much more to see.

Visited 3.5.11
I first became aware of this site after seeing it mentioned on Megalithic.
I took the track off the A381 just south of the hamlet of Halwell and parked next to a field gate. The field in question was full of young cows who must have thought I was the farmer as they stampeded across the field to the gate as soon as they saw me!
Needless to say I decided not to enter the field and instead climbed to the top of the gate. From here I could spot 3 Barrows in the field. Two were on the far side of the field – approximately 0.3 metres high x 10 metres across and the third Barrow more in the middle of the field – approximately 0.5 metres high x 15 metres across.
There may very well be more Barrows in the surrounding fields but due to my bovine friends I was unable to explore any further. Dafydd found all this rather amusing!!!

Visited 3.5.11
I spotted this site on my O/S map right next to the junction of the A381 / A3122, just to the east of the hamlet of Halwell. (marked on map as Halwell Camp)
An easy site to access with a large lay by right next to the field in which the Camp stands.
The metal field gate has a small information sign on it showing the Camp and several Barrows in the fields to the north (I didn’t have time to check out these Barrows)
The ditch/rampart is very easy to spot being between 2 to 3 metres in height. The ramparts form a semi circle and I assume the building of the A3122 has destroyed the southern half of the site? The ramparts are covered in that dreaded yellow gorse which I hate so much!!

Visited 29.4.11
Spotted this on the O/S map (marked tumulus) and just had to investigate!
Taking the B4017 north out of Drayton you soon come to a rough track on the left with a bridleway sign. There is room to park one car here.
Walk a short distance up the bridleway and the Barrow soon comes into view in the field on your left, under some telegraph cables.
When I visited the field was full of crop (chest high) so only the contour of the Barrow was visible as raised crop against the skyline. It appears to be about 1.5 metres high x 20 metres across. A winter visit would be best to give a more accurate description.

On the way back to the caravan park following a visit to Berry Pomeroy Castle (another English Heritage site knocked off the list!) I took the opportunity to have a look at this Barrow I spotted on the O/S map (marked tumulus).
Taking the minor road north east towards the village of Marldon you climb up Beacon Hill and come to 2 large TV transmitters on your right (visible from miles around). There is room to park in front of the locked gate which leads to the transmitters.
Jumping over the gate I followed the track towards the buildings which surround the transmitters. The transmitter to the left is surrounded by a security fence and just inside the fence you will find the Barrow – covered in scrub.
The Barrow itself was about 2 metres high and 10 metres in diameter.
I didn’t hang around too long as the sign on the gate warned about 24 hour security surveillance!

Visited 23.4.11
A beautiful sunny morning and I was up at the crack of dawn – well, 6.30am anyway.
Out the door by 7.00am and parking up in a minor lane north of the village of Bonvilston by 7.30am.
Parking was difficult and this minor road was surprisingly busy – even at this time of the morning. I eventually found a place to pull in, where the lane is a little wider, a little further north next to The Cherries house.
Walking back down the lane you will see Highlands House on your right and a grass track running alongside it. Follow the grass track (it is a public right of way) and you come to two stiles near some farm buildings. Go over the left hand side stile, across the field and over the next double stile. The Hillfort is in amidst the trees on your right – behind the barbed wire fence.
Walking across the field was wonderful; with the sun on my back, the moon still in the sky in front and the only thing for company being a white horse wondering what I was up to.
Jumping over the fence I was confronted by a carpet of bluebells – literally covering the entire woodland floor – I have never seen such a concentration before. I was loath to walk over them and access into the interior was difficult due to the tress, bushes and brambles.
From what I could tell the single rampart was about 2.5 metres high – certainly above head height when stood in the ditch. There also appeared to be a smaller outer rampart / ditch near to the fence line – approx 0.5 metre high.
All in all a very pleasant way to spend an hour although there isn’t a huge amount to see and I certainly wouldn’t recommend travelling any distance to see the Hillfort.

Coflein describes the site:
A sub-oval enclosure, c.62m NW-SE by 40m, defined by a single rampart, set within a second, ditched, but otherwise similar circuit, defining a rather more irregular area, c.130m by 98m. Both circuits have N-facing entrances.

‘Visited’ 3.5.11
Or more to the point – didn’t visit!
After spotting this site on the O/S map I thought I would have a look following a day in the picturesque town of Dartmouth (a lovely place to visit by the way).
I drove down the very rough track to Woodbury Farm where I was hoping to ask for permission to visit the Hillfort. When I reached the farm (the track getting progressively worse) there was no one about. There was a rough tractor track which headed up hill which I reckon was in the general direction of the Hillfort.
However, I had Dafydd and Sophie with me and for some reason I didn’t feel comfortable attempting a ‘sneak’ visit. There does not appear to be any public right of way to the Hillfort so I decided to cut my losses and head home.
Looking at the O/S map the defences appear to be a horse shoe shape with nothing remaining on the eastern side.
Apparently the Hillfort is 145 metres above sea level – according to an entry I found on Wikipedia.

‘Visited’ 29.4.11
Royal Wedding? – not for me – although the extra day off work was most welcome!
So, having taken the opportunity to knock another couple of English Heritage sites off the list, I found myself in sunny Oxfordshire.
Although there is now no sign of the Barrows which once stood here I did see a sign proclaiming Abingdon as ‘the oldest town in Britain – since the Iron Age’.
As Barrows once stood here perhaps this should be revised to ‘since the Bronze Age’?

Visited 5.5.11
Whilst holidaying in Torquay I took the opportunity to visit this Hillfort on the outskirts of Newton Abbot.

WARNING – I found this to be a dangerous site to visit due to the very busy road which runs right through the middle of the site.
Parking was difficult (found a place to pull in outside the entrance to Milber Down Farm – padlocked and barbed wire gate!
Walking back up the road was quite hairy and I had to repeatedly jump up onto the bank to avoid getting run over! (no pavement or an space to walk alongside the road)

The Southern half of the site’s defences are easy to spot – an outer single ditch/rampart about 2 to 3 metres high and an inner ditch/rampart with about the same dimensions.
The two lines of defence are separated by approximately 20 metres of flat grass.

The Northern half of the site is a different matter. Totally overgrown with trees, bushes, brambles etc. Very difficult to make anything out. With cars whizzing past my ear I decided to head back to the car – as quickly and safely as possible!

Not a place I can recommend on safety grounds.

Visited 4.5.11
This was a cracking place to visit and well worth the hike uphill from Torquay harbour. We arrived just in time for the last tour (4.00pm) and had a thoroughly good time. There were only 4 of us in the group (including little Dafydd) and our tour guide was both knowledgeable and entertaining. It is an easy walk through the caves and it reminded me a lot of Dan Y Ogof caves in Wales (although smaller). The guided tour lasted about 45 minutes.

It cost £9 for adults and £8 for children – a bit pricy to be honest.

The very good guidebook gives lots of information about the prehistoric finds from the caves.
There are some glass cabinets with finds to view including some knapped flint / pottery.
A gift shop and eating areas (inside and out) are also available.

Visited 5.5.11
The two Barrows in the middle of the Hillfort are quite easy to spot despite the area being overgrown with ferns and brambles.
Walking in an anti-clockwise direction around the inner bank of the Hillfort, the first Barrow you come to is next to the path. It is about 2.5 metres high x 15 metres x 10 metres.
The second Barrow is only 20 metres away and is about 1.5 metres high x 20 metres x 20 metres. This is the Barrow which has the standing stone poking out the top – about 2ft x 1ft x 8 inches – covered in moss and surrounded by ferns.

Visited 5.5.11
I parked on the outskirts of Denbury village, outside some houses, in Denbury Down Lane.
Opposite is the track that leads directly to the Hillfort. DO NOT try to drive up this track.
A lovely 10 minute walk takes you up to the Hillfort; the hedgerows full of flowers, birds singing, Denbury church bells peeling away in the distance – it felt like stepping back in time!
There is public access to the site as the gate at the top of the track informs you that this is indeed Denbury Hillfort (please close the gate).
On going through the gate you are immediately confronted by a large rampart – perhaps 3 metres in height. I followed the path in an anti-clockwise direction and walked the entire circumference of the Hillfort – it doesn’t take long. There is a path which runs around the outer ditch and another which runs around the interior of the Hillfort.
The defences to the North West are the best preserved; some as high as 5 metres.
The rest of the rampart varies in height from about 2 to 6 metres in height.
There are good views to be had and I would highly recommend a visit to this site when you are in the area – don’t forget to check out the two Barrows – easy to spot.

Visited 22.4.11
On the way home from visiting the Barrows on Garth hill/mountain I took the opportunity to have a look at this Hillfort. Heading south along a minor road there is a turning on your left which is sign posted as being a dead end. You can drive right the way up the hill and there is just room enough to squeeze in at the metal field gate on your left at the top of the hill.
The field in question is oval shaped and the boundary fence seems to follow the outline of the Hillfort? The remains of the rampart only stand about 1 metre high.
Not much to recommend a visit I’m afraid although the bluebells were pretty!
Coflein describes the site:

Hillfort with damaged and partly destroyed defences originally comprising two ramparts and ditches enclosing an egg-shaped area (0.4ha) measuring 85m (NE-SW) by 60m with the entrance at the smaller (SW) end. Outer circuit largely obliterated. Bank height 2.5m max. above ditch bottom.

Visited 25.4.11
Whilst spending a sunny bank holiday with the family at Ogmore Castle (CADW) I took the opportunity (as you do) to take a look at the remains of this promontory fort.
I walked up the road from the castle car park and as you come to Ivy Cottage on your right, there is a track leading uphill. (There is also room to park a couple of cars in a lay-by – saving you the car park fee!)
Follow the track up the hill and as you reach the top (the track changes from tarmac to gravel) you come to a fork. Take the track to the left and you will see the remains of the ditch/rampart in the field across the gorge. Over the metal field gate and you are soon in the afore mentioned field.
The defences are pretty well preserved and range in height from between 2 to 3 metres – when standing at the bottom of the ditch. This was a lovely spot to visit in the warm weather and there were coastal views to be had to the south west.
It only took me 15 minutes to walk from Ogmore castle to the promontory fort – well worth the effort when in the area.

Coflein describes the site:
‘A promontory defended by a substantial bank and ditch c 90m long built across its East side’.

Visited 2.4.11
I was due to attend a Lifesaving course in Bridgend on the Saturday so I thought I would take the opportunity to check out this site whilst in the area.
Although close to Junction 35 of the M4 you do have to go through several narrow country lanes to get to the site – not too difficult.
I parked at the gates of St Mary’s church and stepped over the wooden stile of the public footpath to the left of the church.
Across the field behind the church you will see a rusty field gate to your right. From here you will see a low narrow bank on the brow of the hill which defines the remains of the enclosure.
It was surprising to see what an elevated position this site gives. Megalithic has the site recorded as a Hillfort but I suspect some sort of enclosure is more accurate?
Coflein describes the site thus:
An E-W bank and ditch define an area, c.150m NE-SW by 120m, at the NW end of a ridge, defined elsewhere by steep natural slopes.
Not a site I can recommend – very little to see. However, I had a nice visit as I got to walk through a field of newly born lambs – very cute despite the ‘April showers’.

Visited 25.4.11
On my way home after spending an enjoyable couple of hours at Ogmore Castle (CADW) I thought I would take the opportunity to check out this Barrow.
When I arrived in the correct area there were two possible ‘lumps’ which could have been the remains of the Barrow.
Either:
The mangled ‘lumps and bumps’ immediately behind a ‘no unauthorised vehicles allowed on common’ sign or (more likely?) the small low mound a little further along the road (between the road and the metal field gate). If this is the Barrow, it is about 0.5 metres high and spread over an area about 10 metres across. Easy to spot amid the flat grass covered common land.

Visited 22.4.11
I last visited this site a couple of years ago when the weather was awful with mist and rain swirling all around. I have been meaning to re-visit the Garth on a nice day ever since then but had never got around to it – until today!
Despite arriving at the small parking area near to Dan Y Graig house at 7.30am I only just managed to squeeze in on the end – I thought I was the only one mad enough to come up here at this time of day – apparently not! (Including a bare chested jogger!!!)
A 10 minute walk takes you from the parking area to the main Barrow which has the information board in front of it – just follow the obvious ‘path’ up the hill.

There are 5 Barrows on Garth Hill – as indicated on the information board:
1. The main Barrow is approx 5 metres high and 25 metres wide – a trig point is on top.
2. A very small Barrow in immediately to the right of the main one – approx 1 metre x 5 metres. It appears to have been dug into.
3. The Barrow to the west is approx 1.5 metres x 5 metres wide – dug into.
4. The Barrow to the east of the main one is the hardest to spot – ruined and only approx 1 metre high x 10 metres – overgrown.
5. The one furthest away to the east is quite large – approx 3 metres high x 20 metres wide which has also been dug into.

All in all a very worthwhile place to visit with superb views all around – at least it would have been had it not been for the early morning haze which hadn’t burnt off yet.
Oh, and yes, it is always windy up here!!

Visited 17.4.11
On the way to visiting the lovely village of Lacock (N.T.) we called in at Naish Hill Hillfort.
Taking the minor road east out of Lacock you drive up a steep hill and at the top of the hill, on your right, you will come to Naish Hill farm. Just past the farm is a place you can pull over on the left.
The single bank / ditch is easy to see in the field -approximately 1.5 meters high nearest the road, gradually decreasing in height to nothing as it moves across the field.
To be honest there is not much to recommend a visit to see the site although there are cracking views to be had. All in all a pleasant visit on a beautiful summer-like day.