CARL

Visited 21.9.10
Easy to spot on the B6318 which runs parallel to Hadrian’s Wall – just west of the Twice Brewed pub. I parked on the verge of the minor road next to the site and delicately hopped over the barbed wire fence. It is only a short, but boggy walk up to the stones. The standing stones are about 1.5 metres tall and stand close together. After spending a day looking at Roman sites it made a nice change to visit a really ‘old stone’! Despite the closeness of the road this site felt quite remote.
Easy to access and well worth a visit when in the area.

The Goatstones
‘Visited’ 22.9.10
Failed to find this one I am afraid to report despite reading it is an easy site to visit.
Taking the minor road west out of Simonburn, I parked opposite ‘The Manor House’. I walked up the track towards the Crags (I would not recommend driving up track unless you have a 4x4) but could not see the site.
I saw lots of clusters of stones but nothing which matched the description I had. I spent a lot of time walking around the fields (I know I was in the right area) but to no avail. I guess it didn’t help that the ferns were still waist high despite turning autumnal brown. Did I actually see the site without realising it? I honestly don’t know, but I don’t think I did.
Perhaps I wasn’t in the right place after all, or perhaps the stones were hidden from view by the ferns?

Visited 20.9.10
Can’t miss this one – directly opposite the N.T. carp park for Housesteads.
A large Barrow, approximately 30 paces x 20 paces x 3 metres high.
Access is very easy – over the field gate and you are there.
From the top of the Barrow there are good views across to Housesteads Roman Fort – if that is of interest to you?

Visited 30.9.10.
A lovely Autumn evening, blue skies, white fluffy clouds, sheep bleating in the fields and a stroll through the woods up to a Hillfort – what a way to spend an hour! (The only thing spoiling the peace was gun shots in the distance – more of that later!)
Taking the road north from Silchester to Mortimer West End you come to a small turning on the left which leads to Little Heath House. There is a small parking are next to the house. There is public access to the site is along a track, past a locked barrier, by permission of Englefield Estate. The gravelled track forks twice – stay to the left. It takes 10 minutes to walk from the car park to the Hillfort.
The best preserved section is the western bank/ditch which is still over head height. Most of the centre of the site is fenced off and was full of sheep. On the way back to the car I bumped into chap with a shotgun over his arm – bit of a surprise! I guess he was the one making a noise in the first place! Not a bad place to visit when in the area although there isn’t a massive amount to see.

Visited 30.9.10
What a cracker of a site this is!
To the west of the village of Mortimer, on a crossroads, are two cracking barrows in a wooded clearing. (It looked to me that the site had been recently cleared judging by the amount of freshly cut tree stumps) Parking is a bit difficult and I ended up parking on the minor road on the grass verge. An excellent information board is positioned near the entrance to the field – right on the crossroads.
The Barrows are about 25 metres apart with the larger of the two about 2 metres high with a diameter of about 10 metres. There is a well defined ditch around the larger barrow. The second barrow is a bit smaller and the ditch not so well preserved.
This little site is well worth a visit when in the area – top notch.

Visited 30.9.10
Taking the road north into Silchester you come to a wooden parish notice board – on the left of the road. Park near the houses and a little beyond the notice board on the same side of the road you will see a public footpath sign leading to the houses of Hydes Platt.
Just past the footpath sign, amongst the bushes / trees you can see Flex Ditch with its ‘pond’ nearest the road. There isn’t much to see – just a big overgrown ditch really!
Can’t really say it is worth the effort although the ditch is very deep.

Visited 30.9.10
A very easy site to access although the sign posting to Silchester Roman town could be a bit better! Follow the E.H. signs towards Silchester Roman site and park in the large free car park. In the corner of the car park you will see a wooden gate with free information sheets in a little plastic holder attached to the gate.
Beyond the gate the path takes you into the remains of the Roman town. Along this path, to your left amongst the trees, are the remains of the Iron Age settlement. A fairly well preserved bank / ditch are clearly seen and when standing at the bottom of the ditch the bank is well over head height.
For those interested the Roman site itself is worth a visit as is the medieval church at the other end of the site.

Visited 28.9.10
After spending the afternoon with Karen and Dafydd on the nearby Brecon Mountain Railway I took the opportunity to visit this site. From Merthyr follow the minor road north through Pontsticill, which runs along the western edge of the reservoirs. When you reach the fork in the road (right towards Talybont-On-Usk) take the left fork. Eventually you come to a Forestry Commission car park (not named) which has a lovely little waterfall on the left hand side. Keep heading north and you come to a second Forestry Commission car park signposted Neuadd. Park here and there is an information board which has the standing stone marked on it.
You will then need to walk north along the track (no parking beyond car park) over the cattle grid. You will then come to a locked metal barrier where a rough track goes off to the right – stay on the flatter tarmac road towards the derelict buildings. After about 10 minutes you will arrive at the buildings and a wooden gate. Go through the gate and immediately in front of you, just to the left, is a line of trees. Look amongst the trees and you will easily see a squarish stone about 0.5 metres in diameter. I took the opportunity to sit on the stone for a rest (and admire the view) but fell off!!
**This stone is not the same as shown in the photos. I looked all around the ‘scrubby’ bit of land (to the left of track on approach to buildings) but was unable to spot it. The grass was over knee height so I guess it was too well hidden? Therefore I am unsure which stone is the one mentioned on the notice board?**
It is a bit of a trek getting to this stone but a pleasant walk on a nice sunny day – not much fun in the rain I would imagine!

Visited 3.10.10.
My last ‘adventure’ of my two weeks annual leave – and what a good one to finish on!
Finding your way through the maze of country lanes isn’t that easy (OS map required) but once you find the lay by to park in the Well is easy to access. The lay by is on your left as the lane takes a sharp turn to the right at the bottom of a steep hill. (Follow sign post for the church). Opposite the lay by you will see stone steps leading down towards a stone field wall – the Well is at the bottom of the steps. (The stone with the small cross carved in it is on the verge at the top of the steps – Karen spotted it). It was a lovely sunny day and I really enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of this place, along with the gurgling stream near by. The Well itself is quite small and had lots of ‘offerings’ around it – candles, money, flowers, coloured pebbles and many wooden crosses. The water looked clean but I didn’t chance a sample! Make sure you look out for the silver birch tree next to the Well which has its trunk / branches covered with coins pushed into it – I assumed they have been hammered in? Very unusual. I really liked this place and would highly recommend a visit.

Visited 28.8.10.

First the good news – very easy to find in the lovely village of Moreton – In – Marsh. Heading north along the A429 (just before the road crosses over the railway line) there is a turning on the left – where the children’s playground is. (Winner of best playground in Gloucestershire – so Dafydd was happy!!) A little along this road you will see the entrance to Moreton cricket club on your left – park here. The remains of the settlement are on the other side of the road to the cricket club, easily seen from the wooden field gate.
The road you have just driven along cuts right through the ‘hillfort’ (although I would call it an enclosure). There is a clearly seen small half circle mound, a few inches high, which is 40 paces across. I couldn’t see if there were any remains on the opposite side of the road due to the thick hedge.
Not worth a visit in its own right but Moreton-In-Marsh certainly is and I guess whilst in the area………..

Visited 17.4.10.
There is a layby you can park in shortly beyond the B3274 / A39 junction (layby is on A39).
Once you park you need to walk about 300 metres up the road (north) until you see a metal gate. In this field (visible from gate) is The Magi stone. If you walk up the farm track the stone is on your left but in the next field.
The stone is a small, squarish stump of a stone – not much to write home about. I assume it is connected with the the Nine Maidens as it is shown on the O/S map as The Fiddler.

Visited 4.9.10.
What a hassle this was!!
I did manage a brief visit – but only just.
Taking the A438 turning at the A417 roundabout at Ledbury, you quickly come to the turning to Wallhills farm on the left. Take this turning and follow the long drive up to the farmhouse. I then parked outside the farmhouse. So far so good. (There is a new road leading off to the left which I chose to ignore and thought it better to head for the farm house).
There was no-one about to ask for permission to visit the Hillfort (no public right of way) and I then heard voices from the other side of the barn. I climbed over a gate and approached the somewhat surprised people to see if they could give me permission? (They live in the ‘new build’ which the other road led to).
They said they couldn’t but gave me a phone number to ring to ask the land owner. I duly rang the number but the person I spoke to said the land didn’t belong to them and that I had to ask at the farm. One of the people then said it was ok for me to visit but to stay away from the cows and make sure I closed the gates behind me. Leaving the heavily pregnant Karen and Dafydd in the car (he was asleep) I headed up the track which ran around the back of the barn. The path was easy enough to follow (the cows use it!) although it was steep. Just at the top of the hill a large ditch / bank could be seen either side of the path – overgrown but clearly visible. The centre of the Hillfort was flat and used for grazing. As I was about to have a better look my ‘phone went and Karen told me I had to go back to the car as a man had arrived and told me I didn’t have permission to visit. He said the farmer carries a shot gun and no one was allowed to visit the site!! (Needless to say this worried Karen somewhat!) I came back down the track to find the chap had gone into the farmhouse. I then decided enough was enough and headed off.
Although the section of the Hillfort I saw looked fairly well preserved (the bank / ditch was large) I can’t recommend a visit due to the problems associated with access. I get the distinct impression I was luck to get as far as I did.

Visited 4.9.10
My third (and last) Herefordshire Hillfort of the day and by far the best view.
Taking a minor road north out of Ledbury (pretty market town and well worth a visit) you come to the entrance drive to Kilmory House on your left. There is a small are to park directly opposite near the public footpath sign. Over the gate and a short easy walk up to the top of the small hill. The very top of the hill is covered by trees and the centre of the earthwork was covered in chest high nettles so I decided a view from the tress was best! There were decent views to be had and you can just make out Ledbury in the distance. I returned to the road and walked a bit further north to the next field gate where you can make out small earthworks at the top of the hill. There was no public access to this field and it didn’t look like there was a lot to see.
This seemed to me to be much more an ‘enclosure’ of some sort rather than a Hillfort.

Visited 4.9.10
My 400th post! Who would have thought it? – and a fairly easy visit as well.
Take the Donnington turning; off the A417 near Junction 2 of the M50.
There is a small area you can park immediately to your left. Park here and a little ahead you will see the public footpath sign (also on your left). Over the gate and head for the wooden gate at the top of the right hand corner of the field. Over this gate and immediately on your left is another wooden gate with a ‘Private’ sign on it.
Over this gate and it’s a short, steep walk up the bank to the top of the Hillfort. The whole area is covered with trees and I was unable to make out any ditches / ramparts – other than the steep bank just described.
Nothing else to report and not really worth a visit.

Visited 28.8.10
Very easy to find and access in the village of Brinklow. Take the first turning right after the church (heading north through the village) and you will shortly come to a small parking area at the base of the mound. There is a wooden sign stating that this is the site of Brinklow Castle (Norman Motte and Baily) and access is via a wooden gate. Straight up the mound/motte and surprisingly good views all around await you. Worth a visit when in the area.

Visited 28.8.10.
This is an odd one. Looks like either an animal water trough (although it is about 1 metre square in shape) or a large font? On one side there appears to be a ‘channelled out’ bit which clearly had some sort of purpose? It is sat on top of a small mound in a field right next to the busy A45. Easy to find (just follow directions given by Wrekin) although you need to be careful crossing the A45 – the central reservation helps a lot! Access to the field is easy – over the gate to the left of the houses and the small mound is immediately to your left. Just myself and the sheep in the pouring rain!

Visited 22.8.10.
On many occasions I have driven past this Hillfort along the M5, looked up and thought ‘I am going to visit you one day’. Well, today was the day! Access is easy as long as you are mobile and fairly fit!
I parked next to St Michael’s Church in the village of Brent Knoll and went through the kissing gate to the right of the church (public footpath sign). The gravel path loops around the back of the church and makes its way up towards the Hillfort. You then go through a second metal kissing gate and the climb becomes a bit less strenuous. Once you reach a third wooden kissing gate the climb becomes very stiff. You then come to a wooden stile with a National Trust sign bolted to it. This is the final part of the assent – and the steepest. Luckily the N.T. has put steps into the hill and the whole path is gravelled to make things a bit easier.
The views from the top are excellent – you can see for miles all around. In fact, you can even see Glastonbury Tor over 20 miles away! There is one of those markers on the top which shows you what to look out for and how far away they are – I like these. There is also a stone monument stating that beacons were lit on the Hillfort to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 and various Coronations.
The centre of the Hillfort has been quarried and has large ‘dips’ in it. It is very difficult to work out what is what. The ditch / rampart running around the top is quite well preserved in some places although difficult to spot in others. There seems to be a additional ramparts near the northern edge which could possibly mark the site of an entrance?
It took me 20 minutes to walk from the church to the top and a further 10 minutes to walk right around the Hillfort. Luckily Dafydd was asleep in the car and Karen stayed with him. If I had to carry him up here I would have probably required resuscitation half way up!! Well worth a visit if you are physically able. The views are great.

Visiting this site is easy with a handy nearby car park. Another example of the fine rock art found all along this amazing area.

Visited 14.8.10.
Parking is not easy on the busy B4461 but I managed to park next to the Thornbury turn off.
There is a public footpath sign and stile giving access to the woods in which the Hillfort sits. Up the steep and narrow ‘path’ you shortly come to the remains of the ditch / rampart. There is now a ‘sculptured walk’ running along the ditch. Standing in the ditch the ramparts are well over head height. No views to be seen due to the trees. Not a lot to recommend a visit I’m afraid.

Visited 14.8.10.
Nice and easy this one. Park opposite Marlwood School and look for the field gate opposite Quarry Road. From the field gate the Barrow is easily seen. The field had recently been ploughed and as it was raining I didn’t fancy getting covered in mud and therefore viewed from the gate. The Barrow was covered in long grass so stood out well against the ploughed brown soil.

Visited 14.8.10.
The A38 runs right through the middle of the Hillfort although you wouldn’t know it unless you had an O/S map with you! Parking is difficult on this busy road but I managed to park near the Tytherington turn off. Walking towards Alveston you come to a national speed limit sign (black line through a white circle). If you look to your left, over the stone wall, you can just about make out the remains of the curving bank – heavily ploughed out. This was the only part of the fort that is easily accessible. I can’t comment on the preservation of the rest of the Hillfort.

Visited 14.8.10.
Driving through the pretty little village of Tytherington I parked opposite ‘Ruth’s Close’ Bungalow. Then it was over the field gate (carefully lifting my legs over the electric fence – I was wearing shorts!) and up into the trees. The remains of the ditch / bank were pretty well preserved – standing over head height in places. Very overgrown and not that easy to access.
I stood upon the Hillfort ramparts and watched the bumper to bumper cars along the nearby M5 -makes you think.

Visited 14.8.10.
This was a lot of effort with no reward I am afraid to report. I parked at the entrance to the private road to the farm and walked up the drive. This was then followed by a ‘sneaky’ walk across two fields and over a fence which took me to the bottom of the wooded hill where the Hillfort is. Despite scrambling up through dense undergrowth and spending about half hour looking, I couldn’t see any sign of defences.
The fact it was raining didn’t help either!
One not to bother.

Visited 14.8.10.
I parked at the entrance to Red Hill Valley Farm and could see the possible barrow easily enough through the trees. No public access to the site and I didn’t fancy attempting a ‘sneaky’ visit across the open fields so settled for a view from afar. I would guess and say this is a barrow.

Visited 14.8.10
It certainly looked like a tumulus and the fact the top of the hill was fenced off perhaps supports this theory? There was no public access across the open fields so I settled for a view from the minor road just east of Littleton Upon Severn.

‘Visited’ 14.8.10
Failed to spot this one. I drove up to the entrance of the power station and then had a choice of going left (staff only) or right (visitors parking) – I didn’t feel comfortable doing either. As you would expect there were plenty of police vehicles about. I looked along the security fence as far as I could but did not spot the stone. Looking at the phot it looks like the stone is around the other side of the site? Don’t know how you wuld access that section?
Bad ‘vibes’ so I left.

Visited 14.8.10
Wow, what great views along the river Severn!
Parking is easy next to the church (there was a wedding going on when I visited so I stayed outside the church!) and a footpath takes you to the top of the hill. The views really are fab with plenty of benches so sit and admire. This place simply ‘feels’ right for having some sort of prehistoric signifigance or other. Well worth a visit. There are several Grade 2 listed graves in the churchyard.

Visited 14.8.10
Not a lot to report from this visit.
I took the aptly named Camp lane through Oldbury-On-Severn and parked near the public footpath sign. The footpath appears to go through someones yard and then into a field. At the top of the field is a stile and a small wooden ‘bridge’. There was nothing obvious to see and clearly the site has been largely ploughed out. However, to the right of the ‘bridge’, where the back of the house gardens end, there is a ditch like chanel overgrown with bushes / brambles etc.
I do not know if this is all that is left of the Hillfort or not? It is in the right area but I can’t be sure. I couldn’t see any other remains.

I visited this site about 3 years ago and really liked it! Easy to access (car park right next to site) and a short, flat walk through the trees to the Hillfort. It was a lovely sunny day and the light dappled through the trees giving respite from the heat. You can walk right around the entire site in about 15 minutes. Although not very high the views are not bad. When I visited there were several BMX types ‘off roading’ through the trees and unfortunately over some of the banks. In my opinion well worth a visit when in the area (the nearby Tithe Barn (N.T.) is also well worth checking out).

I have to admit I didn’t realise at the time this was a barrow despite standing on top of it! I thought it was just a ‘mound’ – although I did wonder why there was a mound when all is flat around? Now I know!

Like everyone else this is something you look out for when visiting the White Horse. It is s very odd shape. I would guess it is either fully man made or more likely ‘shaped’ from a natural mound? There again, what do I know? Interesting.

Visited 7.8.10
I parked right next to this site when visiting the nearby Longbarrow. This is a really odd place. It looks more like a quarry site than a place where people lived. Very easy to access once you have parked – although parking is not easy and the main road is very busy with speeding cars. It is roundish in shape and is quite overgrown with large trees. The inner area is quite low compared with the surrounding area. Very odd. Worth a look when visiting the more famous Longbarrow.

Visited 7.8.10
It was one of those days when one minute it was pouring down with rain and the next the sun was out and it was hot. Unfortunately when I arrived at this site it chose to rain! This wasn’t the easiest to access but I did manage to park on the verge next to the road signs just north of the site (where the public footpath starts). The A361 was very busy and the cars were mainly driving ridiculously fast in the ‘monsoon’ like conditions. Carrying Dafydd we carefully walked down the verge along the main road until we got near the clearly visible large standing stone. Unfortunately we were the wrong side of a double barbed wire fence and sheltering under the trees. Given the circumstances (neither of us had coats) I settled for a view from the roadside. The barrow itself was very overgrown and little detail could be made out. When arriving back at the car I took a little walk up the public footpath and discovered the standing stone was also easily visible from this point at the other end of the field. Worth a visit but be careful with the speeding cars.

Visited 7.8.10.
This is as easy as it can possibly be to visit a Hillfort. The minor road into Chadlington runs right past the southern edge of the site. The banks are very easily seen from the road. Next to the south east corner of the Hillfort is a small area to pull over (one car) and a handy wooden field gate which gives access to the site. The gate gives virtually direct access into the hillfort via one of the two entrances. Although on a fairly low lying hill, there are decent views all around – in particular looking down onto the village of Chadlington. I tried to explain to Dafydd that this is where people used to live a long time ago and now they live down the hill in the houses. I don’t think he fully understood – but there again he is only two! The enclosure is oblong in shape and the bank is a good 6ft high in places.
Well worth a visit when in the area.

To the west, between Knollbury Camp and Churchill village (where the standing stones are) there is a barrow right next to the road. It is on the O/S map but I haven’t done a seperate entry for it as I don’t know the O/S map ref for it. You can park right next to the wooden field gate and the barrow is just inside the field. Quite large and covered in trees with a double barbed wire fence encircling the barrow. Worth a quick look.

Visited 7.8.10.
This is a surprisingly easy stone to visit and is only a gentle 15 minute stroll from the parking area described by Moth. The easily identifiable public footpath runs through two fields, right past the stone. When I visited the field crop only went as far as the edge of the stone, so access was no problem. The stone is about 6ft high and is just about visible from the lane. It is worth the walk to the stone as it gives a good impression (I guess) of how the Rollright stones must have once looked like – full of holes and character! Well worth a visit.

Visited 7.8.10.
WOW – what a cracker this is! The stones are much bigger than I was expecting and the site was a lot easier to find than I had imagined. The only thing I can add to the directions previously given is that the site is opposite Cox’s Lane along the B4022.
This is a very atmospheric place with the stones surrounded by trees and a small dry stone wall with a plaque stating this is a protected prehistoric monument. I don’t know what it is about sites hidden amongst trees but they always seem more atmospheric to me than those in open surroundings. Very easy to access and definitely worth a visit when in the area – easily the best site I visited today.

Visited 7.8.10
What a lovely setting these stones are in! Outside the church on a small green with a handy bench right next to the stones where one can sit and contemplate. Opposite is a pub. Churchill is a pretty little village and sitting in the sun was very relaxing, particularly when the church clock started chiming. The stones do look very old and as other people have mentioned, do look like they may have come from a prehistoric site. In saying that I have been to other sites where the stones look as old only to be told they are not ‘old stones’ so to speak. Either way, it is such a nice location that a visit is worthwhile whatever the history of the stones themselves.

Visited 31.7.10.
I visited this site after visiting the nearby Grimsbury Castle Hillfort. This is nowhere near as good I am afraid to say. Situated near Junction 13 of the M4 the site is easy enough to get to, it’s just that there is little to see when you do! Taking the minor road immediately to the west of the Hillfort you will see a pretty thatched cottage on your left and opposite a private lane leading to Bussock Wood house. Park as best you can near this point. Walking up the private lane a little I first headed off to the left but could see no remains of the defences. I then headed towards the right and could see what appeared to be the low remains of the ramparts – very eroded and no more than low ‘lumps and bumps’. The ferns / grass etc were waist height so didn’t help things. Perhaps more could be seen during a winter visit or the defences nearer the house?
I didn’t venture too near to the house as there appeared to be a birthday party going on and no doubt the land is privately owned.

Visited 31.7.10.
I had a bit of trouble finding what is left of the long barrow as it didn’t show on the O/S map I was using! For those in a similar situation, this is how you find it:
Continue north along the road which runs past the nature reserve / field containing the Lambourn Seven Barrows. In a short while, at the point where the road bends to the right, there is a parking area on the left. Park here. To the west you will see a public right of way leading up to a small wooded area. This is where you will find the remains of the barrow. There is next to nothing to see although there is a large flat stone next to a tree trunk right next to the path – just before you reach the gate. No doubt this must once have been part of the barrow?

Visited 31.7.10.
This is one of those sites I have been meaning to visit for the last couple of years and have at last finally succeeded. Very easy to find, signposted from Lambourn village. I turned into the small track signposted ‘nature reserve’ and parked at the small parking area. The barrows are now right next to you in a fenced field / nature reserve which is accessed through a gate. The grass was high but the barrows were easily identified. I am sure they would look even more pronounced during the winter months. To have a better view of the barrows I walked up the track leading up the hill to the woods. From here you had a bit of a ‘birds eye’ view of the barrows – barrows often look better from afar rather than up close. This is a great place to visit and reminded me of the various barrow cemeteries you see around the Avebury / Stonehenge area. Well worth a visit and very, very easy to access.

Visited 31.7.10.
A cracking little place to visit with very easy access. There is a minor road running through the trees (and the hillfort) south of Hermatige. At the centre of the hillfort is a place to park and a very good information board near a large house. There are various paths you can take and the shortest walk to see the remaining ramparts will only take 2 minutes. The ditch/rampart is still quite impressive and well over head height. The ramparts can also be seen when driving through the southern defences. The message of the information board pretty well sums it up:
‘Our past is precious – enjoy and respect it’.

Visited 31.7.10.
This was a lot easier to find than I was expecting. Take the turning into Upper Lambourn off the B4000 at the junction where the cemetery is. You shortly come to a T-Junction – turn right (sign posted dead end) and follow the narrow lane up the hill to the left until you reach the cross roads and the lane in front of you turns to dirt. Park as best you can and walk up the dirt track. Shortly the track splits – take the left hand track. The stone is on your right hand side about 100 metres up the lane. The stone is about 1.5 metres high and about 0.5 metres wide at the bottom – tapering towards the top. The lane is narrow and has overhanging trees on both sides. I can well imagine children in the village daring each other to visit the stone at night! It would be quite scary in those circumstances although it was very pleasant in the summer sunshine when I visited.

Visited 31.7.10.
Whilst visiting Fognam Clump Barrow I ‘happened upon’ this site – I had no idea it was here!
The site it is well worth visiting and is easily seen alongside the B4000 near Ashdown House. It is very reminiscent of the surviving fields of stones found around the Avebury area. Wow!
Certainly gives you an idea of how the area would have looked when the prehistoric sites were being built.

Visited 31.7.10
This site was very easy to access. Heading west towards Ashdown House (N.T) along the B4000 from Lambourn you come to a small parking area which has several public footpaths leading from it (about 1 mile before you reach Ashdown House). Park here.
You will see a footpath running north and south and a path running south east (behind the trees next to the road) – this is the path you need to take. The field on your right is fenced off and the barrow is clearly seen in the corner of the field straight in front of you. (The barrow is actually visible from the parking area). When I visited the grass was high around the barrow but it was easy to spot with a large squarish stone sticking out of the top. There were various other ‘lumps and bumps’ in the field but I don’t know if these were smaller barrows or natural? O/S map only shows one barrow.
There is what looks like a standing stone to the left of the barrow amongst the trees but I assume it is natural as there is nothing showing on the O/S map.
Whilst visiting the site it is well worth continuing along the B4000 towards Ashdown House to see the field full of erratic stones on the left before the turning to the House. It is very reminiscent of the surviving fields of stones found around the Avebury area.

Visited 12.6.10.
Easy to find to the north west of the White Barrow on the road from Tilshead village towards Chitterne.
A little way along this road is a large car park on the right. Park here and the barrow is clearly seen in the field about 100 yards away. There is no public access as it is on MOD land but the barrow is easy to spot on the brow of the hill and worth a look when in the Tilshead area.
The long barrow is marked on the map on Horse Down – next to the road.

Visited 15.7.10.
Easily seen from the lane which runs west from the Adam and Eve stones and past the longbarrow. A bit further down the lane past the longbarrow (on the left) you come to a house called Barrow Grange (on the right).
Although the land is obviously private the barrow is large and easily seen over the wooden fence from the entrance to Barrow Grange.
What a great thing to have in your garden!!!

I visited this site about two years ago whilst visiting nearby Tintern Abbey (CADW).
The site is easy enough to find – take the first turning on the left driving north through Woodcroft. The lane is quite narrow but there are places to park on the left with good views across the river Wye. The lane runs right next to the western edge of the hillfort and there is a fence surrounding the field. When I visited sheep were grazing in the centre of the Hillfort. I had the baby with me at the time so I settled for a view from the lane. To be honest there wasn’t much to see – the centre is a flat grass field and the other 3 sides of the Hillfort are covered with trees.

Visited 24.7.10.
This is an easy one to visit. Take the minor road south east off the B4235 out of Usk. In a short while you will see a bungalow on your left and the entrance to Great House farm on your right. I parked by the entrance and walked over the cattle grid and about 10 yards up the drive. You will then see a public footpath sign – turn right into the grass field. (Full of sheep when I visited but no fence to cross) The Hillfort is now on your left through the trees. There are two ditches/ramparts to be seen – the inner one being the larger of the two. Quite well preserved and about head hight when standing at the bottom of the ditch. The centre of the Hillfort is fenced off by a barbed wire fence and is used for sheep grazing – at least it was when I ws there.
All in all worth a visit when in the area.

Visited 24.7.10.
This was definitely not an easy visit!
Taking minor roads north out of Usk (O/S map required) I parked in a small passing place on the north side of the Hillfort. This was near the entrance to the private track which leads to the farm. I scrambled up the very steep bank – hands and knees job – and then made my way up the steep bank through the trees. (On my way back down I noticed that I had crossed over a collapsed wire fence without realising it) About half way up a crossed a track which ran aound the side of the hill (doesn’t show on the O/S map) and eventually arrived at the top. I then had to cross a barbed wire fence and at last I was at the single ditch/rampart. This was well preserved and larger than I expected. When stood in the ditch the top of the bank was above head height. The centre of the Hillfort was covered in low grass which I assume is kept short by sheep? – none present when I was there. It was then a dodgy walk back down the way I came with the help of a large branch I had found for support in the loose soil. When reaching the car I noticed a sign at the entrance to the private track which stated ‘Private – no public access. Strictly by appointment only’ – oops!

Visited 21.7.10.
These are the barrows in the fields adjacent to the car park below Knap Hill / Adam’s grave. There were cows in the field when I visited although the barrows could be easily seen – quite large.