CARL

When I visited the Crannog Centre last July all the tours were full so I had to content myself with viewing the crannog from the loch side. If you are travelling from afar (as I was) I would suggest you ring and book on a tour before setting out to avoid dissapointment.

After you clear the trees I suggest you carry on walking along the Sarn Helen road a little until you come alongside the stone – you will see it easily on your left next to the fance. If you go through the gate before the stone the ground is very wet and marshy – at least it was when I visited.

I’m no expert but it didn’t look prehistoric to me. More like a rubbing stone.

Park somewhere near the large red brick pumping house (you can’t miss it) and walk down the narrow lane which runs alongside it. (Don’t try to drive down the lane – too narrow). When you come around the other side of the building you will see a path which takes you straight into the cliff fort. This is the only prehistoric site I have been to with a football pitch / goals in the middle of it!! Great views of the Severn Bridge.

Really easy this one. Drive down the road which runs alongside the field where the stone stands. Park next to the gate which leads into the field and you will see the stone directly in front of you. You don’t even have to get out of the car if you don’t want to!
Easily see when driving east along the M4 – drive carefully though!!!

The most amazing thing I have ever seen was at Glastonbury Tor. Myself and my partner visited in early December and found the countryside was thick with fog – a real ‘pea souper’ – you could only see about 20 yards in any direction. Despite this I insisted on climbing the Tor as this was something I had never done. As we climbed (visability now pretty much zero) we feared it would be a wasted trip. However, as we reached the summit we literally walked up out of the fog, into brilliant sunshine – dark blue sky with not a cloud in sight. (The fog ended about 10 feet lower than the top). All you could see in any direction was the top of the ‘cloud like’ fog – as far as the eye could see. There was complete silence and a lone dove sat on top of the church tower. A truly memorable moment in my life. I only wish I hadn’t left the camera in the car as we assumed it would be fog all the way up.
We later drove to Bristol airport where we had booked a flight to see the Northern Lights over northern Scotland. What a day!!!

This is one of those sites which I found to be ‘jaw dropping’. I had of course seen many photos before visiting and had read many articles on the site. However, this did not prepare me for the sheer size of the place and the unbelievably large and deep ramparts – they are MASSIVE!!!!
The defenders of this hillfort must have felt very confident when they saw the Romans approaching......................... Allow as long as possible when visiting this site, It will certainly take a time to walk around the outside edge!

One of those sites you drive right up next to – in this case, even through it! Easy to park and obviously easy access. The circle is huge and Long Meg itself is very impressive. This is one of the best stone circles I have visited. Highly recommended.

With the aid of an O/S map I found this site easy enough. Park in the layby and it’s only a short walk to the stones. This is the ‘perfect looking’ tomb – stunning – with great views all around. I would highly recommend a visit if at all possible.

Park on the main road and take the short walk up a ‘resident’s only’ small walk. The site is on your right hand side behind the houses on the main raod. A lovely little place despite being in the middle of a residential area. Still, I imagine the stones will be here longer than the houses?!

Drive up Gaer Road (road on left off main road into Newport from the Tredegar House junction of the M4 – next to a traffic lights). Drive to the top of the hill and park in any of the side streets on the left. Most of these small side streets have a kissing gate at the end which gives access to the site. There is a grass walkway around the site which looks as though it is kept mown by the council. Good views on a nice day.

Where else can you get a drink and a meal sat right next to a prehistoric site? (Avebury is another place) At least you could when the pub was open!

Park in the car park in the village of Killin and walk over the old stone bridge (above the waterfalls) and turn left heading towards Kinnell House. Walk up the private road, through the trees, and as you approach the house the stone circle is in the field on your right. Easy to access although I imagine you should ask for permission first. A Nice little stone circle – worth a visit.

Easy to get to. After visiting the ancient yew, turn left down the road (church behind you) and in about 100 yards look in the field on your right. Access is through a gate and a gentle walk will get you to the stones.

Visited this site on the way to Castlerigg. Park at the start of the (private?) road which leads up hill to the farm. A bit of a walk but on a nice day lovely views to be had looking down the valley. The circle is right next to the farm track and access can be gained via a gate. I really, really liked this place and actually prefered the circle itself to Castlerigg. Make the effort to visit this site – you won’t be dissapointed.

My favourite stone circle. The views are simply stunning. I had a ‘jaw dropping’ moment the first time I visited this site. I had read a lot about it before visiting and I am pleased to say that it not only met, but exceeded my expectations. The circle itself is a joy to behold, but the setting is something else.

I much preferred this site to Arthur’s Round Table. Probably due to the still standing high sides of the henge plus the standing sone in the middle. Very pretty place and easily accessed. I am amazed that it has survived so well over all these years. Will visit again one day.
Although a bit off topic, whilst in the area, I would recommend a visit to St Andrew’s church in Penrith. In the grave yard, to the right of the church main doors, is a Viking ‘Hog Back’ grave. I ‘discovered’ this by pure accident – what a happy bunny I was!!

Very easy access via the appropriately named Mud Lane! About a 10 minute walk over flat land from where you park the car. Nice place to visit.

Needless to say, a unique and fantastic place. However, at the risk of sounding snobby – a bit too commercialised for me. It is certainly worth visiting – a ‘must see’ site – but I must admit I prefer Avebury.

UPDATE:
Visited this site on 12.6.10 – the first time for nearly 4 years. It was a lot busier this time with coaches and tourists from all over the world – plenty of Americans and Australians. There was also security guards at the car park which I don’t remember last time. Near the ticket office was a lone ‘Druid’ protesting about people visiting the site – or something like that. He had some pretty colourful banners hanging from the railings and was selling handbooks on King Arthur I think? I have read about the changes planned for visiting the site (new visitor’s centre etc) so I wanted to visit again before things get changed. I plan another visit once the changes have taken place to compare if things are for the better?

There is not much that can be added to what is already posted. All I would say is if you have never been here – visit. This is an incredible place to visit – the circle is massive – the stones huge. I have been to many famous prehistoric sites on mainland Britain but for me, Avebury is the best. Not just the circle but Silbury Hill, WKLB, Windmill Hill etc. Visit as often as you can – stay as long as you can. You will not be dissapointed.

If, like me, you like to keep walking to a minimum, you can follow the lane about half way up the hill before parking at a suitable point. When I say suitable I mean a slightly wider bit of track! Be careful not to try to drive too far up as the track becomes increasingly narrower, rutted and unless you are driving a tractor undrivable. I tried to warn an American tourist about this as he drove past me. Needless to say he knew better...... Once you get to the top, over a gate and a flat walk to the several barrows to be seen.

If you are able I would highly recommend you walk the Avenue. You do feel (at least I did) that you are following in the footsteps of the ancestors – like you are taking part in some sort of procession. A lovely, easy walk on a nice day.

Most dissapointing English Heritage site I have ever been to. Only plus side it is easy to get to – right next to road.

I found this hard to find. I couldn’t see it through the trees at the top of the (steep) bank and so I decided to climb down to the flat area next to the river. It was then a simple case of following the river until I located the stone. The hard bit then was climbing back up the slope!! Take care.

When you pay to go into the castle, ask for a torch (small fee) – or bring your own torch. Once you enter the castle, look for the tower in the bottom left corner – this is where you will find the entrance to the cave. Initially there are steps down but this then changes to a concrete slope and then you are onto wet, natural stone – slippery. The cave ends with what appears to be a blocked up well?

Drive through the village of Bethleham, up the hill, over the cattle grid and there is a parking place on the left. It is then an easy walk up the hillfort. Be careful though as the collapsed stone walls are very loose underfoot. The countryside here is beautiful. When I visited there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and red kites were gliding silently overhead – bliss.

A lovely looking stone and a lovely colour only 30 yards from the road (small layby). If it has been raining take your wellies as the ground around the stone is very wet.

Crickhowell is a lovely little town and is surrounded by prehistoric sites. These range from very easy sites to visit such as Gwernvale and the Growing Stone to harder sites such as the Fishstone. I have visited Crickhowell on many occasions and always manage to find a new site to visit.

Park next to the houses and there is a footpath which runs past the houses. This leads you into the start of the trees and then it’s make your own path up through the trees to the summit. The whole hill is covered by ivy (I have never seen so much) and I only noticed faint traces of defences. No view to be seen from the top due to all the trees. To be honest not much to recommend a visit. Just as well to view it from the M4!!

A fairly short but steep climb up the steps from the car park up to the headland. I couldn’t see any signs of banks/ditches but there was a lot of bushes about so perhaps they are there but hidden?

Park in the car park at Rhossili point (near the National Trust shop) and it’s an obvious but long and very steep walk up to the top of Rhossili headland. Once at the top keep following the path along the ridge, past the small cairns and eventually you will spot Sweyne Howes lower down the headland on your right hand side (sea to your left). When I visited it was extremely windy – so much so I got blown into a dreaded gorse bush on the way back down. Those spike not only go through clothing but trainers as well. I hate gorse!!!

Fairly easy to access. You can drive most of the way up the hill and park below the ‘pimple’. A fairly short but steep path will take you to the top. Through the defensive ditch and up the steps onto the top. You can see for miles on a clear day. Unfortunately when I visited it was like ‘pea soup’ and I could only see about 20 yards!!

I have looked for this stone twice – and failed!
Does not show on map.
Anyone have any directions?

Fantastic. The whole Kilmartin Valley is such a fantastic place. It rained, rained and rained again. But despite this I had a great day (soaked to the skin) and I can’t rate this place highly enough. I hope to visit again when (hopefully) the weather will be better! Stayed all day but only managed to see some of the sites as there are so many. The Great X is just one of the wonderful things to see. If you are anywhere near this part of Scotland, allow at least a day of your holidays to enjot this very special place. So far, my favourite place in Scotland. For me this is on par with Avebury in England. Fantastic.

Easy to access – 10 minute walk up from the car park. The views from the top are wonderful and yes, you just have to see if your foot fits – mine did! Even though it had been raining and my foot got wet in the process!! One of my favourite sites in the Kilmartin area. Enjoy.

This is one of my favourite sites. The size and scale of the longbarrow is breathtaking. I make a visit to Avebury once a year to see the henge, WKLB and Silbury hill. I call it my ‘pilgrimage’. I have never had a problem with speeding cars etc as I park in the small layby at the bottom of the hill leading up to the barrow. There are usually ‘offerings’ to be found in the tomb and tied to the branches of the tree at the bottom of the hill near the layby. A truly fantastic place. I am planning a trip to the Orkneys this summer so it will be interesting to compare the tombs there against my two favourite so far – WKLB and Stoney Littleton. I will report back!!

Not much to see but easy to find and access. If you are stood in the car park looking at the view down the valley, head for the right hand corner of the car park – where the trees are. Walk into the wooded area and you will see the barrow in front of you.

Agree fully with Thesweetcheat, when I tried to get close to the hillfort I was confronted by a lane which led into a very, very muddy farmyard. Anyway, I think this is one of those sites which is best viewed from a distance. A good view can be obtained from just off the main road – and less muddy!!

When I visited I was happy to view from the road junction. Despite the encouragement from my better half – ‘why don’t you jump over the fence for a closer look?’ – I stayed where I was and pointed out the sign which said the fence was electrified!!!

Follow Baza’s directions. I found the private road as directed by Baza easy enough. TIP – when walking up the private road keep to the right of the road. The burial chambers are NOT visable from the road. About 30/40 yards up the private road (from athe main road) hop over the fence on your right (be careful – fence is barbed and the side of hill is steep). Carefully move about 5 yards down side of hill and you should spot the chambers to your left – sunk into the side of the hill. Only the front part of stones showing. Hope this helps?

Park in the pay-and-display car park (not cheap!) and stroll up to the ‘log cabin’ where you can buy a nice cuppa and then take in the view from Symond Yat rock. Between the car park and said ‘log cabin’ you walk through the hillfort – defences either side of path. Couldn’t be easier.

Park by the entrance to Biblins camp and walk back along the road you have just driven up. After about 20/30 yards you will see a path on your left. Follow this path and after about 10 minutes you will reach the rock face with the caves. The first cave you come to is NOT King Arthur’s cave. Keep walking and it is just a bit further along the same path.

Visited 13.3.10.
In Hay on Wye head west on the B4350, look out for a turning on the left signposted: Capel Y Ffin. Take this turning. Follow this road along. After about 4 km when the road forks, take the right fork. The barrow is a couple of hundred yards on your left – right next to the road.

Visited 14.3.10.
Just to clarify the directions given by Elderford:-
After taking the turning to Capel Y Ffin follow the road straight along, there is NOT a fork in the road at this point – the road to the right is a turning. Also, after crossing the cattle grid, you need to take the left fork in the road NOT the right one. This takes you straight to the car park next to the stones. I counted four fallen stones next to the standing one, although I have read of only three. Perhaps I counted two stones when it is only one stone partly covered by grass? Lovely views down the valley.

Along with West Kennett, my favourite tomb. Although I got completely caked in mud walking to the site (and ruined footware in the process) it was well worth it. Crouching into the chamber and sitting at the back is very special. It does feel like going back in time. I can’t recomend this site highly enough. All I would suggest is take your wellies if it has been raining!! Enjoy.

To be honest there’s not a lot to see here, a grass field with minor ditches around the sides.

This can be tricky to find as when you get to the top of the hill the stones are not visible. Once at the top, take the path along the ridge to your left (when looking at the River Severn). As you walk along the path you will see the two Severn Bridges. Head ‘off track’ roughly between the two bridges until you see the outliner. Harder to spt in the summer due to the masses of bracken.

Stone sited on bank pretty much opposite the entrance to the golf club. Very difficult to park on the busy main road. You have to peer over hedge to see stone – not visable from the road.

Park in country land and follow public access route as shown on O/S map. Stone is on the right in second field you come to. Easy to spot – large flat stone in middle of field. Lots of cup marks on surface. When I visited I found a lucky horse shoe!

The chamber is signposted (small weathered sign) off the road which runs past the house. The chamber itself is about 10 yards down the drive entrance on the left hand side – in the flower bed!