CARL

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?

Visited 10.9.12

CADW site.

This site was a lot harder to find than it should have been.
The problem is there is a new road lay out and my map showed the old lay out.
Suffice to say we wasted a lot of time driving up and down looking for a road which doesn’t exist any more!!

However, we did eventually find the Tomb and well worth the persistence it was.
The only thing which let the place down was the amount of litter.
Despite being a reasonable distance out of Holyhead (my least favourite place on Anglesey) it seems this is a popular meeting place judging by the amount of empty beer cans and take away containers strewn about the site.
I picked up the litter directly inside/outside the Tomb but I would have been there a few hours if I tried to bag it all up. Looking at some of the items I think it is possible a homeless person either is or was sleeping inside the Tomb?

Anyway, ignoring the litter (and the difficulty in finding the right road!) the site itself is very good and well worth a visit. There is an info board which helps to explain the development of the site. It reminded me a lot of Dyffryn Ardudwy.
If you happen to be up this way make the effort to visit – just bring a rubbish bag with you!

Visited 10.9.12

Of all the CADW sites I have visited, this is without doubt the hardest to get to.
Don’t expect any sign posts or information boards here!
Looking at the O/S map there was nowhere obvious to start from and in the end I decided to approach from the eastern side of Holyhead Mountain.

We drove up a very steep and very narrow road past some houses and parked next to a post box. There is room to park a couple of cars here.

Directions:
To the left of the post box is a footpath. Take this path and head straight up the mountain until you come to a ‘crossroads’ of paths.
Turn left and keep on this path until you come to another path which does a ‘dog leg’ to the right, heading up hill – take this narrow, rough ‘path’.
Stay on this ‘path’ until you near the summit of the mountain.
Look up to your left and you will see the remains of drystone walls – this is it!

The walk from the post box to the Hillfort takes about 30 minutes but it is only suitable for those who are reasonably fit and mobile.

I have been to a few ‘stone wall’ type Hillforts and this is as good as I have seen.
The walls at this point are still approximately 2 metres high x 2 metres wide.
As is usually the case the builders have made use of the naturally occurring boulders to form part of the defences.

The views from the top are fab – you can see for miles all over Anglesey.
At least you would if the weather hadn’t been closing in!)
I did however have great views over Holyhead and along the coast.

It was blowing a gale and starting to rain so my visit was a lot shorted than I would have liked – to be fair Karen and Sophie were waiting for me back in the car.
You could easily spend hours up here on a nice day.

As I said; not easy to get to but well worth the effort for those able to do so.

Visited 10.9.12

Another day – another CADW site.

This is a cracking place to visit.
Much better than I expected and one I would heartily recommend.
Visiting couldn’t be easier either – just across the road from a large free car park!

This site reminded me of the round houses in Cornwall – these are easily as good.
Although the houses are not visible from the car park (due to the bracken) they soon come into view as you make your way along the ‘path’.

They are all nestled together in the hillside and it is easy to imagine how cosy it must have been all those years ago.

If you ever visit Anglesey it would be a shame to not visit this site. Good one.

Visited 9.9.12

Directions:
Take the B5109 east out of Bodedern and then the second left along a minor road.
(The first left takes you to the Presaddfed Dolmen)
The Barrow is well hidden in woodland on you left – good luck!

In short I couldn’t see a thing.
We pulled up alongside where the Barrow is but was met with a wall with barbed wire on top, behind this a barbed wire fence and behind that impenetrable, overgrown woodland.

You would have no chance of accessing this site unless you came armed with a machete and possibly a flame thrower!

COFLEIN state:
‘A much mutilated circular mound 20m in diameter and 1.2m high’.

Visited 9.9.12

This is not the easiest of stones to find.
As a CADW site I would expect things to be better sign posted.

Park at the top of the drive leading to Tregwelydd Farm and walk towards the farm buildings. When you get near the farm there is a sign/map showing you the way through the fields to get to the stone. It may be me but I didn’t find this map easy to follow and sure enough it wasn’t too long before I was roaming around the wrong field!

Eventually I spotted the stone and headed for the correct field.
Unfortunately harvesting was taking place and two combined harvesters (where are the Wurzels when you need them?) were doing their thing around the stone.
This made access to the stone unsafe so I settled for a view (which was easy enough) from the edge of the field,

On my way back down the farm drive to the car I noticed that the stone is actually visible across the fields from the drive – to the right if walking away from the farm. If I had noticed this on my way to the site I would have found the stone a lot easier to find.

At least there is no need for sneak visits anymore!

Visited 9.9.12

Another CADW site.
The Tombs are sign posted and there is a small parking bay.

Walk up the drive, past the lodge on your left and then the cricket pitch on your right.
The Tombs are in the field on your left and access is via a kissing gate

The field was full of sheep and it was amusing to see several of them sheltering out of the wind and rain inside the Tomb still standing – although they soon left when I arrived!

The capstone of the standing Tomb is large – about 2m square and .05m thick. It is held up by 4 standing stones. There was a fair bit of ‘hairy’ lichen on the stones.

Pity the second Tomb has collapsed – perhaps someone will put it back together one day?
This is an easy site to access and well worth a visit.

Visited 9.9.12

Directions:
From Benllech take the B5108 west. Then take the first left along a minor road (just after a phone box)
You will shortly come to two public footpath signs on your left.
Take the SECOND footpath (not Pant-y-Saer Farm sign) – this will eventually lead you to the Burial Chamber.

It is fairly easy to work out where to cross the fields (it must be if I found the way!) although expect things to be rather muddy. I visited as it was starting to get dark and I have never seen so many rabbits running about. The rain had now stopped but it was still windy – although not cold.

This site is well worth the small amount of effort it takes to visit.
A large capstone held aloft by two very large uprights.
Visit if you can – it’s a good one.

Visited 9.9.12

We were based in Benllech for the week so I obviously just had to visit this site!

Directions:
Just as you enter Benllech from the south there is a minor road heading North West.
Take this road, through some trees, until you see a bridleway sign on your left.
There is room to park near the sign and the Burial Chamber can be seen in the field on your left as you squelch up the very muddy track.

The Chamber is now no more than a very low stony patch in the field close to the track. It is about 15m long x 0.3m high. There is little to see to be honest.
Access to the field is quite tricky as you have to get through a hedge, over a stone wall and over a barbed wire fence! Possible – but tricky.

In the field are two small copses of trees. In each copse is a pile of large stones piled up. It doesn’t take much imagination to think that these once formed part of the Burial Chamber?

One for the dedicated only – bring your wellies.
Better off visiting the nearby Pant-y-Saer Burial Chamber.

Visited 8.9.12

My last CADW site of the day – and what a productive day it has been!
There are so many prehistoric sites to visit in this corner of Anglesey it is like ‘old stone’ heaven!

We parked on the verge and Karen stayed in the car while myself and Sophie wandered over to have a look at the Dolmen.

Judging by the way the ground has been churned up around the fencing it is a good job it is there. Clearly the cows would have used the Dolmen for rubbing up against otherwise!

I hopped over the fence for a close up view.
Sophie giggled and ran inside the Dolmen.
There are 5 standing stones although only 3 of them are actually holding the capstone up.
There was lots of ‘hairy’ lichen covering the stones.

This is a cracking Dolmen – possibly the best on Anglesey.
There are great views over to Snowdonia.
All in all a ‘must see’ site.

Visited 8.9.12

I decided to walk across the fields from Bryn-Gwyn stone circle to the Henge as it is only a short walk and it was a nice sunny day. While crossing the farm drive I met the farmer who was busy cutting his grass. I smiled and waved and carried on my way.

All was well until I reached the stile which gives access to the field in which the Henge stands. Between me and the stile was a herd of cows who (for some reason) insisted on standing in front of the stile! Undeterred (after all this is a CADW site) I pushed my way between the cows that stubbornly refused to budge. I was soon over the stile and away from my bovine friends.

The Henge itself is pretty well preserved with the bank still about 1.5m high in places.
Pity about the house virtually in the middle of the Henge!

It’s not too often you get to visit a Henge and this is a good one.

Nice views over to Snowdonia.

Visited 8.9.12

We parked at the former entrance to the now derelict farmhouse and it was an easy enough matter to walk across the field to these two huge standing stones.
Although the stones are not visible from the road you can’t help but see them if you follow the hedge – either side will do.

One stone is approx 4m high x 2m across (thin) while the other is 3m high x 2m across x 1m deep. Both stones are covered in ‘hairy’ lichen

I also spotted a large stone in the hedge which has been used as a gate post.
I don’t know if this stone is part of the stone circle or not?

I found it impossible to imagine these stones as part of a stone circle.

There are great views to be had over to Snowdonia in the distance.

Well worth a visit when in the area.

Visited 8.9.12

Another CADW site – I am certainly knocking them off the list today!

Just up the road from Castell Bryn-Gwyn and well sign posted with a parking area.

Nearly all of the sites I visited on Anglesey I had to myself.
Bizarrely enough this one had a coach load of German tourists!
I assume the coach driver stopped here because of the large parking area and ease of access? There is a kissing gate and information board.

Despite the recent dry weather the ditches surrounding the site were still very boggy and you were guaranteed wet feet when crossing over.

This is a strange site – something out of the norm – which makes it a good one to visit
The banks still stand to a height of approx 1 metre in places.
The single stone block is easy to spot.

Visited 8.9.12

Directions:
Next to the A4080, north of Brynsiencyn, in dense woodland.

We parked at the top of the drive leading to the house opposite the woods.
I jumped over the small stone wall running alongside the road and tried to battle my way through the undergrowth to get a look at what was left of this site.
Unfortunately it was too difficult to progress very far and the woods are so overgrown that I couldn’t make anything out.
Perhaps I should have worn an Indiana Jones hat and carried a machete?

COFLEIN states:
‘A hillfort defined by 3 or more banks representing tumbled stone walls. It occupies the summit of a north-east ridge. The ruined walls enclose an area some 80m x 36m. There is a single entrance in the long south-eastern façade. The A4080 running along the summit of the cliff line has obscured part of the fort’.

Visited 8.9.12

This is obviously one of those ‘must see’ Anglesey sites.

I went to the Wayside Stores to ask for the key but was told it was now ‘escorted visits’ only.
The lady in the shop (who initially didn’t seem very interested) ‘phoned someone who said there was a group form Glasgow University being shown around the site at 2.00pm and could I join that group?
No problem said I and headed straight to the famous Chambered Cairn – where I was told to meet the party.

I arrived at the Cairn at 1.45pm – it is about a 10 minute walk from the large beach car park. Sophie was asleep so Karen stayed with her in the car whilst I took a wander along the headland. It was a sunny but windy day and I was surprised to see so many brave souls enjoying a ‘refreshing’ dip!

Whilst waiting for my ‘guide’ to arrive I first visited the nearby Round Cairn and then read the information boards. The outer door was open which gave access into the passageway but the inner door was padlocked. I was able to peer into the chamber but could not make out any of the carvings on the stones. No bother thought I, I will have a good look when my ‘guide’ arrives with the University group. It was now 2.00pm.

I looked back along the headland, expecting to see a gaggle of people but saw no one.
I sat down on the Cairn and admired the coastal views and seabirds.

2.15pm – two people turned up and despite my initial excitement soon became obvious they were ‘normal’ visitors who were also disappointed to find the door locked. ‘Don’t worry’ said I, someone with a key will be along soon! (How wrong I was)

2.30pm – still no sign – the couple who were waiting with me decided to give up and head back towards the beach.

2.45pm – I walked back along the headland forlornly hoping to see my ‘guide’ and his ‘posse’.

3.00pm – I gave up and headed back to the car. After all there is only so long you can expect people sat in a car to wait for you. Although this is not a direct fault of CADW it certainly doesn’t show them in a good light. I hope that when/if he ever did eventually show up they all had a nice time. No doubt it would have been a better experience than the one I did.

Hopefully those TMAers visiting will have more luck?

Not happy.

Visited 8.9.12

This Cairn is so close to Barclodiad-y-Gawres it just has to be visited.
It can be found a little to the north of its more famous neighbour.

On top of the grass covered mound I could see the tops of 5 of the cist stones peeping out of the grass. Some of the stones were covered in that ‘hairy’ lichen I had seen so much of when visiting the Scottish Islands.

Obviously good coastal views to be had.
Well worth a look when visiting the Chambered Cairn.

Visited 8.9.12

A CADW prehistoric site – one of many on Anglesey.

Although this site is signposted it is not easy to park but this is a quiet road and we squeezed in on the grass verge.

The Dolmen itself is visible from the road but a short walk (via a stone stile) will bring you up close and personal.
(There is a large stone next to the stile – I wonder if this has anything to do with the Dolmen?)

I noticed around the tomb a series of small concrete stumps.
Are the stumps there to protect the site from farming or to show the original outline of the Dolmen?

The capstone is very large with lichen growing on one side.
As reported it is held up by 3 original standing stones and 2 brick pillars.
The capstone seemed to me to be pointing towards Snowdonia.

There are good views to be had.
This is a good place to visit.

Visited 8.9.12

No more than a rough, grass covered mound – don’t bother

COFLEIN states:
‘A prehistoric round barrow north of Graiglass occupying a hill crest location. The mound is about 9m in diameter and 1m high. Its eastern side is mutilated’.