IronMan
Images and description of this site.
This a fascinating place – glimpsing into the subterranean workings of our ancient ancestors. The usual milking of commercial potential at ancient sites like this isn’t as much in evidence here as at some places. There is the usual gift shop and it costs £5 to get in, but you don’t get the feeling you are being herded here. The tour is self guided – so you can take your time, even choose to walk round the tunnels more than once. There are working archaeologists here, who are willing to field any questions.
The large chamber about half way through the tunnels is a real eye opener – the amount of work put into it is astounding, unfortunately it was impossible to photograph.
The large mound of this ruined Cromlech can be seen quite clearly from the Great Orme Mine. The field is private so there is no direct access from the mine, the only way to get here is to go into the village and find ‘Cromlech Road’, which leads to a stile and the Cromlech itself, which is clearly marked open to the public. The chamber is ruined, but enough stones are still standing to make this an impressive monument.
BEWARE On leaving the site we were chased by a huge angry dog, belonging to the people living in the house nearest to the cromlech. They made no effort to contain the beast, so it’s safe to assume that they don’t like visitors!
This stone row isn’t that easy to find – and isn’t really spectacular in itself – the view is however worth it. We had the place to ourselves for 1/2 an hour and on a nice day it would make a welcome rest place after visiting the Great Orme Mine. The surrounding landscape is full of great stones and is well worth exploring.
The 470ft deep (down to sea level) Vivian’s Shaft. It was mined in the 19th century and was the only access into the mines between 1987 and 1991.
The ‘open cast mine’ – it is however possible that this is the remains of a series of collapsed mine shafts.
Blocked passageways. Many such tunnels are to be seen around the self guided tour. They are yet to be excavated!
A very narrow tunnel near the mine entrance, presumably dug by children of around 5 years old.
Over the top of the capstone. The mines can be seen in the foreground and the cable cars to the top of Great Orme in the distance.
The stone remains of the cromlech sat on the side of it’s large mound.
Eight images and a brief description of this site.
I had expected more here. The cairn is pretty small, and lies scattered. The eery sci-fi TV station aerials dominate the immediate area. The view from here is quite something though, stretching from the Lancashire coast over to Bury. Local landmarks within view include Darwen Tower on Darwen Hill(itself once a beacon hill), Rivington Pike, Round Loaf and the Anglezark & Belmont reservoirs.
Local legend says that the Notgrove long barrow contained a golden coffin.
The Notgrove long barrow was built over an existing circular mound which contained a stone cist containing the remains on an old man. The bones of a young woman were placed at the top of the mound.
The long barrow itself was built with a surrounding drystone wall, an ESE alignment and measured approx. 48 metres by 24 metres. A curved forecourt led to a narrow passage way with a terminal chamber and two pairs of side chambers. Inside were found the remains of 6+ adults, 3 children, a newborn baby and a variety of animal bones. More remains and evidence of fires were found within the passage way.
I have tried to visit this site three times now – this time was the closest, but still didn’t manage to get right up to the stones. I attempted to ask at the farmhouse, but there was nobody around so I left again, temptingly close to the stones. I returned home on the M6 (Southbound) and got another tantalising glimpse of the circle. I tried to take a picture, but messed up with my camera. It isn’t easy driving on the motorway and attempting photography – never mind, I will return!
This stone is an ideal landmark to follow, from The Cock Pit, to find the cairns.
The view on the path near to the Cockpit. It definitely makes the visit all the more rewarding. This view of the Lakeland fells is fantastic.
The distinctive mound of this cairn can be seen from the path to the Cop Stone.
The view from Moor Divock SE through the two standing stones and on to the Cop Stone visible on the horizon.