CARL

Failed visit 31.7.13

Directions:
On the outskirts of Salen near the junction of the A861 / B8007.
There is a parking area on the opposite side of the road to the Cairn.

In a nutshell I couldn’t spot the Cairn. It is in amongst trees which are heavily vegetated. We were pushed for time to catch the ferry so I didn’t have long to look.
My record of finding sites in amongst trees is not great so I wouldn’t be surprised if someone else has better luck than me!

It sounds a good one to seek out.

Canmore states:
‘This moss covered cairn is situated in trees 130m north of Salen Bridge. It is 8.4m in diameter and about 1m high. In the centre are 3 slabs of a cist which are about 1.1m x 0.5m and 0.75 in depth. Two loose slabs to the SE of the cist were presumably capstones. The cist was excavated in 1897 and a crouched inhumation was discovered but there were no associated grave goods’.

24.7.13

Time was against me (again!) so I thought we could drive down the lane from Newton Reigny right up to the Cairns. Wrong!

The lane from the hamlet is nothing more than a rough track suitable only for tractors. Therefore a walk would be required which was something we didn’t have time for.

One for next time.

‘Drive by’ 25.7.13

Once again time was against me as we still had a long way to drive to get to the B+B.

The Chambered Cairn is easily seen from the A82 on the left (heading north) as a large pile of grey stones. Just after you cross the bridge to North Ballachulish.

Access seems to be best via a narrow road on the right just before the Cairn. This road continues under the busy A82 and comes out on the side of the road for the Cairn. Then it would just be a case of yomping across a couple of fields.
There is a possible pull-in availabe at a cycle path (on the left) but this would leave you very close to the roadside and would not be the safest place to stop.

I will definitely make time for a proper visit when I am next up this way – hopefully next year.

‘Drive by’ 25.7.13

Time was against me and I could see the field was in crop so I didn’t stop to ask permission to visit the standing stone.

However, the stone is easy to spot from the road although it was not possible to see the hole in the stone. One for another day methinks.

‘Drive by’ 27.5.13

Directions:
Next to the A52 at Mayfield – a short distance west of Ashbourne
Near the junction with the B5032.

Saw this ‘Tumulus’ on the O/S map and thought I would check it out on the way home.

Our first approach was from the minor road to the south but this proved ineffective as the way is blocked by a row of posh houses.

We then tried to access via the east, off the busy A52.
Given the speed of the traffic, lack of parking spaces and high hedgerow this would also have been far from easy. There is a gate which would give access to those with the time / inclination.

Instead I settled for a view of what I think was the Barrow on the brow of the hill.
If it was the Barrow is was a low mound of rough grass.

E.H. have nothing to say on the matter

‘Drive by’ 26.5.13

Easily seen along the B6465 when heading south.

The Barrow is a grass covered mound approximately 1.5m high x 20m across.

Visited the gold mines a few years ago.

Just to say it is set in beautiful countryside and is well worth a visit.

You can even have a go at panning for gold!

They do guided tours of the Roman mines but there wasn’t one available when we visited so it may be worth checking on tour times before visiting.

‘Drive by’ 19.4.13

Directions:
From Leominster take the A44 east.
Shortly after passing through Docklow there is a turning on the left for Uphampton Farm.
The Hillfort is situated on the summit of the hill behind the farm.
There is a public footpath running from Docklow, past the farm, and up past the eastern side of the Hillfort.

I didn’t have time to walk up to the Hillfort but could see the trees crowning the site from the A44.

Although marked on the O/S map E.H. strangely have nothing to say on the matter?

One for another day perhaps?

Saw this in an article in the April issue of the Caerleon Community Times magazine

Extract from an article published many years ago entitled ‘Old Tracks of Gwent – 4’
‘A ‘Lang Stone’ which would not be removed. By Mr F J Hando’.

‘The name Langstone is Saxon but where, you may ask, is the lang stone?
A path leaves Langstone Court eastwards and disappears in the field. Continue in the same direction and you will see in front of you an apparent line of bushes which is actually a remnant of a prehistoric track, deep in the heart of a modern field. Canopied by bushes, wide, deep, mysterious, it covers the length of a football field, and then disappears. But if you persist in its direction you will find, in a field topping the next ridge ‘stoney field’ a great stone, shaped roughly like a bishop’s mitre.
A few years ago it was decided to aid the ploughman by removing the stone. A farmhand who was present on that occasion tells me that every available horse and man was pressed into service. A chain was fastened to the stone. Horses and men engaged in a great ‘heave’, yet the old landmark won! To what depth is it sunk? Sufficient you will agree to justify my contention that this is the ‘Lang Stone’.

‘Drive by’ 30.3.13

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We were heading home after a fairly successful days ‘Barrow hunting’ and I was dozing in the front of the car trying to catch some well needed shut eye as I was still not feeling too good.

All of a sudden Dafydd shouts out ‘Barrow!’
I opened my eyes and asked ‘where?’
‘There’ says Dafydd pointing out of the window.

Sure enough, in the middle of a field to the left of the road was a large grass covered Barrow!

E.H. state:
‘A bowl barrow located on level ground 610m NW of Whitestown Farm. It is visible as a mound 30m in diameter and 3m high’

‘Well done!’ I congratulated Dafydd

I don’t suppose there are many 5 year olds who would even know what a Barrow was – never mind spot one when driving past!

He was duly rewarded when Sophie later spotted an ice cream van!

Blackwell Tyning ‘Drive by’ 30.3.13

Directions:
A short distance west of the B3114 / B3139 junction, North West of Binegar.
South of Redhill Farm Barrow.

A public right of way runs past the Barrow.

I forgot to make any notes on this Barrow so we will have to rely on what EH has to say!

E.H. state:
‘A bell barrow situated on level ground south of Blackwell Tyning Plantation. The barrow is a steep sided mound, 32m in diameter and 2.5m high, surrounded by a berm or platform 4m wide. Surrounding the berm is a ditch 3m wide which has become infilled over the years and no longer visible at ground level’.

‘Drive by’ 30.3.13

Although my O/S map showed 4 Barrows in the group, I could only spot 2 from the roadside. Both of the Barrows I could see are very prominent and easy to see.

There is no public access to the field and as I wasn’t feeling too good I contented myself for a view from the road.

Well worth keeping an eye out for when in the area.

E.H. state:
‘The monument includes two bowl barrows located on rising ground 350m NNE of Whitenell Corner. The northernmost barrow comprises of a mound 30m in diameter and 2.5m high. The southernmost barrow comprises of a mound 18m in diameter and 1m high at its highest point’.

6.3.13

Turned out to be a ‘non visit’.

The surprisingly busy B4058 which runs to the north of Woodleaze Farm has absolutely no parking places anywhere within a reasonable walking distance to the Farm
(Reasonable for me anyway!) We drove up and down to no avail.

I would say that the best bet would be to drive to the farm itself and ask permission to park / visit the Long Barrow

After reading the notes posted by TSC stating that all that is left to see is ‘a very low mound’ I decided not to bother and headed north to visit a couple of sites near Nailsworth instead before it got too dark.

‘Drive by’ 11.2.13

I spotted these 4 Barrows on the O/S map and as they are close to the A272 I hoped to be able to spot them from the road. We were running late and I didn’t have time for a visit.

However this proved not to be the case due to the trees obscuring them.
The Barrows are in the grounds of Hinton Ampner House (N.T. site?) and they look as though they would be visible from the drive leading to the house.

There is also a public footpath which runs through the park
I will have a proper look when I am next in the area and report back.

E.H. has nothing to report on these Barrows.

Directions:
Near the junction of the A272 and the A32

‘Drive by’ 11.2.13

My O/S map shows 3 Barrows in this area.
I could find no information from E.H. on these Barrows.

I could see no trace of the Barrow furthest to the east.
The Barrow opposite the pub appeared to be approximately 0.5m high x 5m across.
The third Barrow, south west of the pub, was about 0.3m high x 5m across.

Not much else to say really.

‘Drive by’ 9.2.13

Directions:
Come off the M27 at junction 7, then the A334, then the A27 south.
The Barrow is in woodland on the right.

There was nowhere to safely park on the very busy A27 so I had to settle for a ‘drive by’.
Although the O/S map shows the Barrow to be right next to the road I couldn’t spot it whilst driving past.

I proper search is required. One day perhaps?

2.2.13

Directions:
From the centre of Crickhowell heading south, take the first left and follow the minor road uphill until a wood appears on your left. The ‘earthwork’ is hidden amongst the trees.

The road is very narrow and parking difficult. There is no public right of way to the site and access would be over a barbed wire fence and a battle through the trees.
As I had the children and granddaughter in the car (who was restless) I decided not to leave them in the car whilst I attempted a visit.
One for another day perhaps?

COFLEIN states:
‘Llangenny Camp is a sub-rectangular enclosure 70m x 52m defined by a bank, possible stone walled, and ditch, resting on the steep natural slopes to the south’.

I have visited Kenfig Sands a couple of times over the years. The first time was when I was looking for the scant remains of the castle in the pouring rain.
It is surprisingly easy to lose your bearings in the dunes (well it is for me anyway!) and by the time I found the castle I was ‘soaked to the bone’.
There was a Time Team episode filmed at the dunes a couple of years ago.

‘Drive By’ 25.11.12

I had a good view of this Hillfort whilst driving along the B3084 which runs to the south of the site – there doesn’t appear to be any ‘official’ access to the Hillfort.

The rampart was easy to spot as was the southern entrance.
The northern section of the Hillfort has trees running alongside it.

Well worth a look when driving past although no doubt a proper visit would be even more beneficial?

‘Drive by’ 23.11.12

My old O/S map 1:50 000 First Series shows a Barrow just to the north of the A30 east out of Stockbridge. A further 3 Barrows are shown a bit further north and appear to be part of the same group?

Unfortunately there is nothing to see – ploughed out?

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

‘Drive by’ 23.11.12

My old O/S map 1:50 000 First Series shows a Barrow right next to the A342 at Weyhill.

I kept an eye out for the Barrow on the way down to Winchester.
Unfortunately I could see no trace of it – ploughed out?

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

‘Drive by’ 14.10.12

Driving west along the B3157 I spotted 3 Barrows – 1 on the left and 2 on the right.
Each grass covered Barrow was approximately 1 metre high x 10 metres across.

There sure are a lot of prehistoric sites in this area!

‘Drive by’ 14.10.12

The Barrow is easily seen from the B3157 near the village of Burton Bradstock.

Although it is a N.T. site there is nowhere to park on the B3157.
The O/S map shows a parking area near Burton Beach and a permissive footpath leading to the south of the Barrow.
Due to time constraints I had to settle for a ‘drive by’.

The Barrow looks to be well mangled and is approximately 10 metres across x 1 metre high.

14.10.12

People who know me often wonder why I travel the length and breadth of this great country of ours looking at ‘old stones’ – in all their forms. More to the point they often ask Karen how on earth she puts up with me and the travelling. To be fair, she usually defends our exploits on the grounds that we often go to very nice places and see wonderful scenery – Abbotsbury is a point in case.

Had it not been for the fact that I am trying to visit every E.H. site (Abbotsbury has two!) in all probability I would have never come here. But it does – and I did. And what a delightful place Abbotsbury is – very picturesque and charming. In addition to the cottages with thatched roofs, traditional country pub, village church etc it also has a Tithe Barn – something I have a ‘thing’ for. Not only that but also a swannery.

The view from the top of St Catherine’s hill is fabulous.
(Particularly on a gloriously sunny day like today with blue skies and white fluffy clouds)
You get to look over the village / church / Tithe Barn and great coastal views.
In short, if any of those who doubted why we do what we do were able to see what I was looking at while stood on the hill, perhaps they would then understand.

Abbotsbury is a great place to visit. The fact it has so many ‘old stones’ to look at in the area is a bonus. It is at times like this that you get a reminder of what a great hobby of ours this is and how fortunate we are to be ‘in the know’.

‘Drive by’ 13.10.12

If heading east after passing the Broad Stone along the busy A35 you will easily spot one of the Barrows in a field to your right.

I suspect this is the Pond Barrow?
It is approximately 1 metre high x 5 metres across.

‘Drive by’ 13.10.12

Spotted this Barrow on the map and as I was driving along the minor road just to the north of it thought I would keep an eye out.

The hedgerows don’t help but I think I spotted the Barrow as no more than a very low grass mound?

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

‘Drive by’ 13.10.12

This Barrow is easily seen when driving south along the minor road towards the Poor Lot Barrow cemetery.

It appears to be approximately 15 metres across x 0.5 metre high.

‘Drive by’ 13.10.12

I had a quick look at the 3 most southern Barrows whilst visiting the Hillfort.
The rain cloud I spotted earlier had caught up with us and it was like a monsoon outside the car. A view from the car was in order!

Luckily the Barrows are easy enough to see from the road near the crossroads.

There is another Barrow on its own a little to the south but I couldn’t see that one due to a hedge being in the way.

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 Cairn is on the right, just past a small wooded area.

One good thing about this being a (military?) road is that it is in very good condition although there are no road markings. There are regular signs warning you of the soft verges – more so today given the sheets of rain coming down.
Whilst driving along the road we passed on several occasions very large army trucks heading to opposite way. Headlights on and wipers going for all their worth. There was not a lot of passing room.

I looked out to see if I could spot anything from the road but the mist was low and along with the rain made visibility very poor.
I considered pulling over and having a quick look for the cairn but the soft verges and the regularity of the passing army trucks made me think the better of it.
The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in the mud and have to explain to an irate ‘Windsor Davies type’ soldier as to why I had stopped in the first place!

Reading what COFLEIN has to say it doesn’t look like I missed much:
‘The round cairn at Garn Wen is damaged but is around 20m in diameter and 1m high. Despite numerous diggings (some military) no trace of structural elements are apparent’.

I had forgotten all about this site!

I tried to visit it several years ago (when also trying (and failing) to find the Langstone) but failed to find an easy way to get access to the Barrow.

‘Drive by’ 11.9.12

This is a very busy road and we could find nowhere near the stone to pull over.
Time was against us and I didn’t have the time to park further away and walk to the stone.
Therefore a ‘drive by’ would have to suffice.

The Burial Chamber was just about visible over the stone wall and appears to be built on a mound.

‘Drive by’ 9.9.12

A little pointy stone easily seen from the road.
You can park next to the house.
The field was full of cows.

‘Drive by’ 8.9.12

The O/S map shows this Barrow lying right next to a minor road a little east of the village of Brynsiencyn.

This road is very narrow with nowhere to park.
I thought I would try for a ‘drive by’ as in reality there is probably little to see other than the usual ‘bump’ in the field.
However, this even failed me as the hedges are over 6ft high and I couldn’t see over them!

COFLEIN states:
‘This oval mound measures 30m x 24m with a height of 1.9m on the southern, downhill side but only 1.2m on the uphill side. The barrow is turf-covered though probing indicates the predominance of stone in its make up. There are no visible structural elements’.

‘Drive by’ – 27.8.12

I spotted nine of the Barrows making up the cemetery whilst driving north along the very busy A361.

Four were on the brow of the hill, one south of a copse of trees and four in a line right next to the road.

Time was against us and parking is difficult on this stretch of road so I settled for a view from afar. To be honest, the four Barrows closest to the road are very easily seen and gives as good a view as you are likely to get.

I hope to visit the Barrows on top of the hill on a future visit but will approach from the other side of the hill – via Cherhill and Oldbury Hillfort.

‘Drive By’ 16.6.12

I viewed this site whilst on the way to see the Dunfallandy Stone (Pictich cross-slab)
Historic Scotland site – well worth a visit.

The Dunfallandy stone circle sat like an island in a sea of ploughed earth.
In fact, with the trees sticking out it reminded me of the island Desert Island Dick used to live on in The Topper comic!!

16.6.12

This cairn would be easy enough to access under normal conditions as it is right next to the A93.

Unfortunately this stretch of road happens to be very close to Balmoral Castle (favourite abode of the Royals) and there were ‘Police – no stopping’ signs everywhere. Plus lots of police patrol cars.

We therefore tried for a (relatively) slow ‘drive by’ to see if we could spot the cairn but unfortunately we couldn’t see it.

Perhaps it is in the trees?

Visible from the A971 – south of Gallow Hill Chambered Cairn.

Canmore states:
‘A cairn of bare stones 1.4m high, situated on a prominent summit. It measures 10.5m x 9.5m. It is defined by unusually large stones. Within it are two upright slabs, almost certainly the remains of a chamber’.

Visited 13.6.12

How on earth you are supposed to spot / get to this cairn I don’t know!

Looking at the O/S map and reading Canmore notes it didn’t seem too bad but on the ground it is anything but. You are faced by a very steep rock face of looses shale / stones – basically a hillside of a mass of tumbling stones. It would be very dangerous to go mooching around up there.

Canmore states:
‘On a steeply sloping shelf on the rocky E slope of the Beorgs of Housetter there is a very small, well preserved heel-shaped cairn. It measures 5.1m across and survives to a height of 0.6m. The chamber is intact and the walling showing to a height of 1m’.

Visited 27.5.12

Directions:
In a field next to a minor road running behind the back of some houses just off the A85 – to the east of Oban.

In a nutshell I couldn’t see any trace of it. Perhaps it has been ploughed out?

Canmore states:
‘This cairn stands in level pasture between the railway and Achaleven Road. It appears as a grass-covered stony mound measuring 16 by 14 metres, and is 1.25 metres in height. An electricity pole has been erected on its east perimeter’
RCAHMS 1975.

Visited 16.4.12

Directions: Opposite the turning to The Long Stone off the B3274.

I parked at the turning and crossed the road to look for the Barrow.
I only got as far as the field gate as there was a farmer who looked to be training a young sheep dog with the help of several ‘volunteer’ sheep!

E.H. state:
A round barrow measuring 17m in diameter and 0.4m in height. There is no evidence of a surrounding ditch’.

Visited 17.4.12

Although close to a minor road in the hamlet of Allet (on the B3284) I couldn’t get anywhere near it due to a hedge of 15ft high gorse! (I kid you not)

Not only couldn’t I get anywhere near it – I couldn’t even see it!!

Good luck if you are planning a visit. Bring a suit of armour!

E.H. state:
‘Two plough reduced bowl barrows. The diameter of the mounds prior to cultivation was 21m though they have since been spread. The south western mound survives to a height of 1m whilst its neighbour survives to a height of 0.5m’.

Visited 17.7.11

Although this site is marked on the O/S map I couldn’t see a thing on the ground.
The field it is supposed to stand in is very ‘lumpy bumpy’ so it is possible I may have missed it. If it is still there it is very slight indeed.
Totally unrelated, but interesting nonetheless, was a Second World War Pill Box in the same field. This was in cracking condition and I was able to walk all around inside.
Well worth checking out although I don’t know why it was built here in the first place? In the middle of a field far from anything important?

COFLEIN describes the site thus:
‘A ploughed down and centrally depressed barrow, c.23m in diameter and 0.4m high.
A second barrow, 100m to the SSW, was levelled in the construction of Cae’r-mead Roman villa (Nprn301356). An in-urned cremation was encountered when that site was excavated’.

I tried to visit this site last summer after spotting it marked on the o/s map. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get anywhere near it as the road which would lead you straight to it is private and has a locked electronic gate to keep you out.