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Medmenham Camp (Hillfort) — Fieldnotes

Very subtly situated on Henley-Marlow road, it sits at the point where the Chilterns meet the River Thames. Better know now as "Danny, Champion of the World" territory, before Roal Dahl there was Sir Francis Dashwood, keeper of the "Hellfire Caves" - http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/browse.php?site_id=549 (it'll look neater when I figure out linking). Just to the south of this almost obliterated site is the infamous "Medmenham Abbey", where Dashwood would have parties-cum-rituals that involved almost the entire gentry and their genitals, and lasted for weeks. Baboons were also often in attendance.

You can read more about Sir Francis and his antics here:
http://www.blather.net/archives3/issue3no1.html

As for the Camp, sadly very little remains, with the north-western corner being the last vestiges of the earthworks. But rejoice! The site is crowded with gorgeous trees, and seems safe enough for now, as long as the scrambler-crew don't overdo it ...

Bulstrode Camp (Hillfort) — Folklore

Chatting to a knowledgeable friend about the possible role of the Ridgeway hillforts as overnight droving enclosures (they're all about 8/9 miles apart on the western section, a good days droving by anyone standards), he first proposed that Uffington was a horse market, with the banks of the hillfort being used as display areas, then mentioned Bullstrode.

This site, he suggested, may have also served as a cattle market. *Bul*strode is situated right on the A40, a major route for many years, which if is followed to the east, crosses the first river at a town now known as Uxbridge (or "Ox-bridge")

This doesn't count as proof, far from it, but it's something to consider.

Ingleborough (Hillfort) — Images (click to view fullsize)

<b>Ingleborough</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Ingleborough</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Ingleborough</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Ingleborough</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Ingleborough</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Medmenham Camp (Hillfort) — Images

<b>Medmenham Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Medmenham Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Medmenham Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Medmenham Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Stonehenge (Circle henge) — Images

<b>Stonehenge</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Penshaw Hill (Hillfort) — Images

<b>Penshaw Hill</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Stonehenge (Circle henge) — Images

<b>Stonehenge</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

St Catherine's Hill (Hillfort) — Images

<b>St Catherine's Hill</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Segsbury Camp (Hillfort) — Images

<b>Segsbury Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Segsbury Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Segsbury Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Segsbury Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Whelpley Hill Camp (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork) — Images

<b>Whelpley Hill Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Whelpley Hill Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Whelpley Hill Camp</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Lodge Hill (Round Barrow(s)) — Images

<b>Lodge Hill</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Lodge Hill (Round Barrow(s)) — Folklore

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/pgoodearl/laceygreen/sdean/sdean.htm

On the eastern side of the hill there was a dell, in which sycamore trees once grew. It was said that if one could run around the dell four times, whilst holding one's breath, the aroma of brimstone would arise. If a fifth circuit could be completed, then the Devil himself would appear. As far as is known no one ever managed to complete the circuits. However, this caused much excitement amongst the children

Sunningdale Barrow (Round Barrow(s)) — Fieldnotes

Took some finding this one, and I'm not satisfied. It's marked on the map as being sandwiched between some houses. Actuallly going up there, it turns out that it's deep in enemy territory, "GolfLand". To the east lies the mighty Sunningdale Golf Club, but our quarry is in what is known as "Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club".

About 100ft wide, this is more like a pitch and putt. To have so much money, but yet be content with being treated like a child, it's beyond me. Anyway.

There's no obvious sign of any barrow where it's marked on the map. I knocked on the clubhouse door, was ignored by two lunching Ladies, had a chat with the kitchen staff, until the Club Secretary arrived. He's only been in his job for a week, but we spent a happy half hour walking the edges of the course, looking at the map, looking at the terrain, until we gave up. We had our suspicions about the edge of a bunker, but nothing firm. He suggested that it might be in the grounds of one of the houses on the eastern side of the course, and as long as the house wasn't occupied by an arab family, I'd probably be alright peeking over (the alternative would result in me probably being shot. Apparently).

Couldn't find it, so I cycled off to Ascot to see the Heatherwood Hospital barrow. Much more entertaining ...

Sunningdale Barrow (Round Barrow(s)) — Images

<b>Sunningdale Barrow</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Heatherwood Hospital Barrow (Round Barrow(s)) — Images

<b>Heatherwood Hospital Barrow</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Heatherwood Hospital Barrow</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Heatherwood Hospital Barrow</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Copt Hill (Round Barrow(s)) — Images

<b>Copt Hill</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Copt Hill</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Copt Hill</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Copt Hill</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Stonehenge and its Environs — Images

<b>Stonehenge and its Environs</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Stonehenge and its Environs</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Stonehenge and its Environs</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Stonehenge and its Environs</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Stonehenge and its Environs</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Stonehenge and its Environs</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Stonehenge and its Environs</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Stonehenge and its Environs</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Stonehenge and its Environs</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Stonehenge and its Environs</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

Whiteleaf Cross (Christianised Site) — News

Whiteleaf and Brush Hill Local Nature Reserve Open Days


http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/countryside/whiteleaf/events.htm

Sunday 15th September
10:30 - 4:00pm
The event is completely FREE!

The event is focused around the open grassland area above Whiteleaf Cross where walks and talks are lead from and displays and activities are held.


[Spacer]
Whiteleaf and Brush Hill Local Nature Reserve Open Days
Sunday 15th September
10:30 - 4:00pm
The event is completely FREE!

The event is focused around the open grassland area above Whiteleaf Cross where walks and talks are lead from and displays and activities are held.

[A Butterfly]

[Archaeologist surveying the site]

[Earth mound]
photo courtesy of Nick Bowles

Please leave your car at home. Leaflets describing scenic walks from Princes Risborough, Whiteleaf and Monks Risborough are available from the Risborough Information office in Horns Lane. Disabled visitors will of course have access to the car park at Whiteleaf Hill.

Guided walks to the sites, from Princes Risborough, will take place at key times during the day (actual times will be published soon)

The open day is run in association with WDC, Risborough Countryside Group, Oxford Archaeology, Heritage Lottery Fund and the Shadow Chilterns Conservation Board, Special Projects Fund.

The event will include-

* Archaeological excavations in action!
* Demonstrations of Geophysics and how it can be used.
* Guided talks by archaeologists about Whiteleaf Hill.
* Live demonstration of wattle hurdle making.
* Archaeological education activity for children
* Guided walks on the conservation and wildlife interest of both sites, and the Black Hedge Project.
* Information on site management works underway.
* Displays on Risborough Countryside Groups activities.
* Information on the Red Kites and Chalk Streams Projects
* Local memories, the site managers would like to talk to local people about their memories of the site and local photos.

The King Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Images

<b>The King Stone</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

The Rollright Stones (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>The Rollright Stones</b>Posted by RiotGibbon

The Long Man of Wilmington (Hill Figure) — News

Twenty foot penis painted on ancient hill figure


An ancient hill figure carved into the South Downs has sprouted a 20-foot penis overnight in what experts say could be a bizarre May Day celebration.

The discovery has been made by the Long Man Morris Men who are visiting The Long Man of Wilmington to celebrate May Day.

The 231-foot high figure, located near Eastbourne, East Sussex, is causing giggles among tourists who were photographing him in all his new glory.

Sussex Archaeological Society, which owns the site, said the appendage could have been part of the ancient Beltaine Celtic Festival. Others observers, including a white witch, said it might have been part of a bizarre May Day fertility ritual.

The adult attachment has been painted on the grass and has not damaged the figure cut into the chalk hillside by Druid settlers and which attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Morris Man Norman Hopson said: "We first noticed it after our first dance this morning, but I promise it had nothing to do with us. I last visited it four weeks ago but nothing had been added."

Henry Warner, a director at the Archaeological Society, said: "This could have been a mindless act of vandalism or it could have been something to do with the Celtic Beltaine Festival. In the Celtic system the festival marks the start of the warm part of the year and was traditionally held at the beginning of May.

"Alternatively it could have been a fertility ritual. The figure may originally have had an appendage, like at Cerne Abbas, but the Victorians who did not approve of such things may have taken it off. But, whoever did this, we can never condone vandalism at the Long Man."

White witch Kevin Carlyon, head of the British Coven of White Witches, said: "I am up in arms over this because I have always said that the Long Man was a woman.

"I take chaps with problems to the Long Man at Wilmington and women to Cerne Abbas, but this makes a mockery of that. I am going to put a spell on whoever did this, but I would not be surprised if there were quite a few naughty romps at the Long Man tonight."

Story filed: 12:23 Wednesday 1st May 2002
Originally published at the following URL:
http://www.ananova.com/yournews/story/sm_579301.html

The Long Man of Wilmington (Hill Figure) — Images

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

Castle Hill (Huddersfield) (Hillfort) — Images

<b>Castle Hill (Huddersfield)</b>Posted by RiotGibbon<b>Castle Hill (Huddersfield)</b>Posted by RiotGibbon
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