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IronMan

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Chapel Carn Brea (Entrance Grave) — Images (click to view fullsize)

<b>Chapel Carn Brea</b>Posted by IronMan

Willy Hall's Wood Stone (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) — Fieldnotes

Just got back from my first trip to Ilkley in a few months and what can I say that Stubob hasn't already, what an absolute disgrace. This is one of the most perfectly situated, unpublicised sites on the moor and it's now been damaged, quite possibly forever, by a mindless, selfish idiot. Shame on you whoever did this.

Stoke Flat (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

As with Wet Withens this site isn't that impressive in it's own right, but is made special by it's surroundings. On this particular day the contrast between the Autumnal colours of the dead ferns and the stark white of the silver birch trees made for quite a beautiful scene. I was reminded of visits I've made at this time of year to the Druid's Circle of Ulverston. Again the views from here are great, and as pointed out previously, some of the huge stones on the track leading to the circle are also worthy diversions.

Wet Withens (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

I have been here before, albeit unknowingly. I visited a couple of years ago in early summer and think I may actually have walked through the circle without actually spotting it. This time however we were in good company - Stubob led us straight to the spot.

The circle is pretty easy to distinguish (once it's been pointed out!) - the bank especially. It is quite large despite the diminuitive stones (the highest is 0.7m) and while not majorly impressive in itself, when seen in context with the amazing scenery surrounding the site it becomes well worth the effort.

Copt Howe (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) — Miscellaneous

A map of the Mickleden end of the Langdale Valley showing the axe factory, which can be compared with Chris Collyer's diagram of the carvings.

Langdale Axe Factory (Ancient Mine / Quarry) — Images

<b>Langdale Axe Factory</b>Posted by IronMan

The Long Man of Wilmington (Hill Figure) — Images

<b>The Long Man of Wilmington</b>Posted by IronMan

Windover Hill (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery) — Images

<b>Windover Hill</b>Posted by IronMan

The Long Man of Wilmington (Hill Figure) — Images

<b>The Long Man of Wilmington</b>Posted by IronMan<b>The Long Man of Wilmington</b>Posted by IronMan

Marlborough Mound (Artificial Mound) — Images

<b>Marlborough Mound</b>Posted by IronMan

Adam's Grave (Long Barrow) — Fieldnotes

Arriving at the car park between Knap Hill and Adam's Grave we found ourselves with company. Today it seemed everybody had decided to visit Adam's Grave! I can't say I was surprised - after a torrential downpour the night before the weather had taken a turn for the better, and we found ourselves walking in glorious sunshine.

The view from Adam's Grave is outstanding. We sat and contemplated for a good long while, people coming and going all the while. When we finally decided to leave I realised I hadn't actually taken any photographs, I'd been so taken in by the place I'd just forgotten to. I soon amended this, before making our way to Wansdyke.

Adam's Grave (Long Barrow) — Images

<b>Adam's Grave</b>Posted by IronMan<b>Adam's Grave</b>Posted by IronMan

Boscawen-Un (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Boscawen-Un</b>Posted by IronMan

Brane (Entrance Grave) — Images

<b>Brane</b>Posted by IronMan

Tregiffian (Entrance Grave) — Images

<b>Tregiffian</b>Posted by IronMan<b>Tregiffian</b>Posted by IronMan

The Merry Maidens (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>The Merry Maidens</b>Posted by IronMan

Boleigh (Fogou) — Images

<b>Boleigh</b>Posted by IronMan<b>Boleigh</b>Posted by IronMan<b>Boleigh</b>Posted by IronMan

Burn Moor Complex — Fieldnotes

A return visit - this time with Si and Ursula.

For me this site is really under-represented! Looking at the first circle of the White Moss pair, we all commented on the fact that we'd not really heard much mention of the place and couldn't understand why. This circle in particular is in really good condition, considering it's location, and taken into consideration with the other four circles. The only reason I can think of for why more people haven't visited is it's remote location, but it's not that difficult to get to. We took a more direct approach this time, venturing over Hard Knott pass and, despite difficult driving conditions, decided it's a much quicker route than the one we had taken previously (the coastal route) and offers some spectacular scenery (and a Roman fort).

Burn Moor exudes a real magic. For me the best spot is within the first of the two Low Longrigg circles. From here the view down to White Moss and Brat's Hill is very clear, and quite overwhelming. I've yet to see these sites in sunny conditions, and I must admit, these overcast doomy skies do kind of add to the place, but next time I will definitely try to visit on a cloudless summer's day, just to see how much this affects the sites.

I'd go as far as saying it's pretty perfect up here, and would urge anyone with an interest in the stones, who can, to pay a visit because it really is a very special place. The walk from Boot is steep, but well worth the effort. Fantastic.

Lanyon Quoit (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Images

<b>Lanyon Quoit</b>Posted by IronMan<b>Lanyon Quoit</b>Posted by IronMan

Men-An-Tol (Holed Stone) — Images

<b>Men-An-Tol</b>Posted by IronMan

The Merry Maidens (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>The Merry Maidens</b>Posted by IronMan

Nine Maidens of Boskednan (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Nine Maidens of Boskednan</b>Posted by IronMan<b>Nine Maidens of Boskednan</b>Posted by IronMan

Chûn Quoit (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Images

<b>Chûn Quoit</b>Posted by IronMan

Bryn Celli Ddu (Chambered Cairn) — Images

<b>Bryn Celli Ddu</b>Posted by IronMan

Zennor Quoit (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Images

<b>Zennor Quoit</b>Posted by IronMan<b>Zennor Quoit</b>Posted by IronMan

Chûn Quoit (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Images

<b>Chûn Quoit</b>Posted by IronMan<b>Chûn Quoit</b>Posted by IronMan

Chûn Quoit (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Fieldnotes

Our last site visit of this trip and not a bit disappointing. This really is a treat - every bit as good as I'd hoped for, and then some. The views from here are tremendous, and the decision to come here last worked out brilliantly, as by now I felt familiar with the surrounding landscape. We arrived in glorious sunshine and lay soaking up the warmth for a good while, before lazily strolling back to civilisation.

Carn Gluze (Chambered Cairn) — Fieldnotes

On our way back from staying in Mousehole, we decided to make one last trip round the coastal road and stop off at Cape Cornwall to see this monument and the cliffs, before heading to Chûn Quoit, and then back up to Bristol.

The size of this place is impressive, and the view even more so - taking in Land's End at a distance where the horrible theme park is almost invisible. The waves below these here cliffs are quite something, and must have had quite an impact on the minds of the ancients.

Boscawen-Un (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

Another site which I've been wanting to visit for quite some time, and I'm not in the least bit disappointed by it. We had the place to ourselves, and once we were sat down within the circle, surrounded by the thick gorse, felt completely away from civilisation. Perfect!

Brane (Entrance Grave) — Fieldnotes

This place really is tiny! I rather ignorantly decided to consult my copy of The Modern Antiquarian after arriving at the site, and so only realised then that I was actually in danger of being chased off the land, so I hurriedly took a few snaps then beat a retreat. I will do my research more thoroughly in future.

Carn Euny Fogou & Village — Fieldnotes

After visiting Boleigh Fogou we decided to come here next, in order to compare the experience. This didn't have quite the same impact, but did have one or two surprises in store for us - the phosphorescent moss on the walls of the corbelled chamber impressed us most. We decided that Boleigh's magic must have a lot to do with it's 'living' nature - this felt much more like the sites I'm used to, and so much less alive. A tour group arrived after 20 minutes or so, thus signalling our departure. On the way back we wandered a few metres down the track marked 'pottery' to visit the little well there.

Boleigh (Fogou) — Fieldnotes

We'd arrived at the site unannounced, not remembering (must do my research properly) it was necessary to make an appointment before hand. Jo May's daughter was just on her way out as we drove down the track leading to the house, and so she asked if she could help us. We told her we intended to visit the fogou, and she let us know (in the nicest possible way) that we should really have booked in advance. She said it'd be okay this time though, as there was no activity taking place in the Caer centre, and proceeded to lead us to the fog

Sat before the entrance, I fixed my gaze on it's depths and struggled to see far into the passage at all - the darkness has to be seen to be believed. Life teemed all around the mouth of this 'cave', bees and butterflies fluttered round the bluebells growing on it's banks. Up above in the trees was the noisiest display of ravens I've ever heard. It was pretty easy to start to imagine this was all part of the magick of this site.

This is a real class site, and has made me totally reassess not only fogous, but my entire psychological relationship with all sacred sites. Fantastic.

Tregiffian (Entrance Grave) — Fieldnotes

It's a real shame that this site is partially submerged beneath the road, as I reckon it would have been another 'perfect' site had it not been (see the Merry Maidens for a definition of 'perfect'). Like Holy says, not a great place for meditation, though on a very busy day, from within the chamber perhaps the traffic noise above could give the same feeling as listening to Sunn O))), who knows? Traffic meditation, now there's a new idea! :-)

The Merry Maidens (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

The word 'perfect' gets used a lot for this circle, so it was no surprise that Ursula and myself both uttered the word in unison as we approached. An incredible place, which from certain angles achieves total symmetry. I took a few shots trying to frame this perfect symmetry, then we sat on a wall nearby gazing at this wonderful place, before moving on to Tregiffian.

Mayon Cliff (Cairn(s)) — Fieldnotes

As we approached this site, on our way walking to Land's End, we were greeted with the site of heavy industrial equipment, hauling salvage from a ship run aground below the cliffs. I took a few shots and had a quick look at the site, before getting away from this ugly scene!

Nine Maidens of Boskednan (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

We walked here from Men-An-Tol and were immediately impressed by the small barrow just above the main circle. Both sites are so obviously in reverence to Carn Galver, it just dominates the landscape.

Men-An-Tol (Holed Stone) — Fieldnotes

We approached this site with eager anticipation having seen and read so much about it before. Ironically, this exposure meant that once we arrived at the site we were a little disappointed. Needless to say, it is a great site, and the surrounding landscape wonderful, but it didn't really have any surprises left to offer us. It was exactly as I'd expected it to be, nothing more, nothing less. We hung around for a while, and took the obligatory shots, then left as a dogwalker approached the site.

Lanyon Quoit (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Fieldnotes

A wonderful site, worthy of the attention it gets. The re-positioning of the stones is quite obvious, but doesn't in any way spoil it. We sat here for a while as the midday sun burnt away what was left of the cloud cover, and the day took a lighter turn.

Zennor Quoit (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Fieldnotes

This was our first site on our Cornish trip, and was an excellent start. The size of this monument is quite something - I'd certainly not imagined it to be so big. Luckily I had re-read the fieldnotes for this site and didn't mistake the posts for anything significant, and so was able to impress Ursula with my knowledge. She was a bit taken aback in fact, as she had also thought the semi-constructed cowshed was part of this ancient monument ;-)

Mayon Cliff (Cairn(s)) — Images

<b>Mayon Cliff</b>Posted by IronMan<b>Mayon Cliff</b>Posted by IronMan
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