sals
The remains of a house listed in TME as a possible sanctuary, a field away from the talaiots at Torrellonet
Image credit: Sals
The Highways Agency and Archaelogical Services WYAS have produced a booklet on the investigations carried out in the vicinty of Ferrybridge henge prior to the road works at Holmfirth interchange, showing the excavations of the timber circles, barrows and enclosures in a region roughly south and east of the henge. It includes a number of site plans, aerial photos and artists impressions. A full report is available (to purchase) here: arch.wyjs.org.uk/aspubl.htm
Prior to upgrading work on the A1 M62 interchange at Ferrybridge, archaeological fieldwork was carried out in the area in 2001 and 2002. The new road was planned not to impact immediately in Ferrybridge henge, the only known henge in West Yorkshire. Two timber circles were discovered and recorded less than 200 metres south of the henge.
There’s a public footpath from the road up the private road to Elva Plain farm – turn right into the farm yard and follow the track keeping the buildings on your left. The circle is in the field at the top of the track.
The number of times I’d driven along the A66 and never turned off to Elva Plain .... when eventually I did, it was the perfect day for it – with views from the peaks of the northern lake district across to the sea.
The view looking south down the slope away from the circle – apologies for the badly stuck together segments!
Image credit: sals
The largest stone at Elva Plain, with the turf cut away around it
Image credit: sals
The track up to the circle is marked as authorised access only for vehicles so if you can leave your car at the bottom, do so. The (uphill on the way there) walk is beautiful anyway! There’s a 3 car or so parking option maybe 20 yards before the fork at Cragg Hall, on the verge opposite a gate.
A glorious afternoon, with the frozen patches in the fields, and icicles where the tiny streams drop down to the track, glistening in the sunshine.
A very chilly Sunday morning in February would normally find me happily tucked under the duvet but it was so crisp and clear (OK, make that freezing) that there was no one else around, no traffic for miles before or after – just a glorious spot. Checking TMA book version when I got home, the “3 miles from the junction” is actually only 1½ – but it’s not like you can miss it driving past!
A beautiful crisp and clear February afternoon at Swinside
Image credit: sals
I’d never turned off to Greycroft before despite being in the area quite often – a combination of Foot & Mouth restrictions and expecting to be disappointed with the location – but I was far from disappointed. We parked just by the bridge to the east of the circle and followed the path round with a cheery wave from the farmer on his digger in the next field. The bank to the north attempting to hide the power station looks much more part of the landscape than the pictures I’d seen, and a fabulous crisp clear morning gave views across to the Isle of Man and over the snow capped Cumbrian mountains. Look east, look west. Close your eyes to the north, and to the golfers to the south.