Craig Weatherhill, in ‘Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall & Scilly’ (Cornwall Books – 1985, revised 1997 & 2000), mentions that “local tradition warns that any attempt to dig the barrow will invoke violent thunderstorms”.
pure joy
Craig Weatherhill and Paul Devereux, in ‘Myths and Legends of Cornwall’ (Sigma Leisure, 1994) write that the Giant’s “sightless petrified head is said to protrude from an outcrop at the eastern end of this impressive hill, while his hand, also turned to stone, can be found at the opposite end of the great system of prehistoric earthworks which surround two of it’s three summits. Later tradition gives this giant the unlikely name of John of Gaunt.”
They add that Carn Brea has one of the most remarkable examples of a mythical sacrificial rock (at SW683407)...“a huge oval boulder studded with basins and which has the name of the ‘Giant’s Crocks and Kettles’.” I think this is the rock pictured by Hamish, and to a lesser extent in one of my pics.
The reason that Carn Brea is covered in stones whilst St.Agnes Beacon is not, relates to the legend of Bolster (the giant of St.Agnes) feuding with the giant on Carn Brea and throwing all the rock around the Beacon at Carn Brea.
Carn Brea – 1st October 2003
Carn Brea is a great big hill just outside Redruth, and is currently the second oldest excavated and dated occupation site in the county.
After hauling my ass up to the top of this hill, I discover a track/road and parked cars on the other side of the summit. Well, I do like walking uphill so I won’t complain, but if you want to take the easy way up, I guess the top can be reached by car from Carnkie.
I noticed a car park on the map at the south side of the hill (at the bottom – around SW681412). I couldn’t see any road signs towards it so I drove via Carn Brea Village and the furthest I could get was a small layby at SW686412, which already had one burnt out car in it. But it is a decent (but not signposted) place to park because two paths up the hill start from close by. One path is wide and goes around and up the east side of the hill and the other is more overgrown and goes up the hill into the middle of the Neolithic enclosure, through what is believed to be the ancient entrance.
It’s not easy to see much of the ancient bits on the hill though (even with the detailed drawing in Cornovia), but is well worth it for the view and the vibe. Not surprisingly the view from the top is amazing, including a good view across to St.Agnes Beacon.
Halangy Down Settlement – St.Mary’s, Isles of Scilly – 3rd October 2003
For directions and comment, see Bant’s Carn.
This was a really evocative site for me, and I could well imagine people living here. The courtyard house is excellent, although the rest of the settlement would require more time to explore to try to make more sense of it all.
NB – It should be said that although there is evidence of settlement on the site going back to the Bronze Age, the settlement we now see probably belongs to the second to fourth centuries AD.
Bant’s Carn – St.Mary’s, Isles of Scilly – 3rd October 2003
Given that just by getting to St.Mary’s, and presumably having a map, you have shown a lot of initiative and commitment, I won’t try to describe the minutiae of getting to sites on the island (but might just make a few comments). Most major sites are signposted, but I was disappointed (in general) at the poor signposting of paths, especially given that I have read others say that Scilly sites are well signposted, and the general fact that tourism is the main economy of the islands.
I have to say again that I was disappointed at the footpaths in the area. There doesn’t seem to be a coastal path from the east, which was a disappointment. It was signposted from the large pylon but it was a shame to have to come inland and via a scabby pylon (and past a road that said ‘Private Road’) to get to one of the most important multi-period sites on the islands.
Like the tomb at Higher Innisidgen, this is a real ‘show grave’, despite being eaten into the surrounding field walls. What a great place and great location. The chamber is higher than most and I can imagine that the entrance would have been pretty special in its full glory.
Higher Innisidgen Entrance Grave – St.Mary’s, Isles of Scilly – 3rd October 2003
Given that just by getting to St.Mary’s, and presumably having a map, you have shown a lot of initiative and commitment, I won’t try to describe the minutiae of getting to sites on the island (but might just make a few comments). Most major sites are signposted, but I was disappointed (in general) at the poor signposting of paths, especially given that I have read others say that Scilly sites are well signposted, and the general fact that tourism is the main economy of the islands.
A few snippets re location. If coming from the west on the track past Lenteverne and you want to get to Innisidgen via the coast, you need to take the path to the right (downhill). After 100metres you then continue on slightly left (instead of crossing a tiny gully to the right which takes you to the coast path for the south) and you will be on the coastal path. It is a ‘lower’ grave in terms of height above sea level rather than lower in terms of south from the higher (i.e. the lower grave is actually to the north of the higher grave). Both are on the footpath. If you approach the area from the West it is much easier, because the path to the higher grave is signposted (and that path runs past the lower grave anyway).
‘Higher Innisidgen Carn’ is a real ‘show grave’. A beauty; in a beautiful location. It just screams perfection. I noticed a strange similarity to the rocky outcrop above it (as if it mimicked it), and I swear I saw someone move in the rocky outcrop whilst I took a picture of both. Spooky.
For info on ‘Lower Innisidgen Carn’ see the separate page.
There is another chambered cairn in the area, marked on the map at around SV923122. If I found it, then all I found was a few jumbled stones just off the higher cliff path. I think maybe I didn’t find it. Didn’t have enough time, and the undergrowth in the whole area was pretty fierce.
Harry’s Walls Menhir – St.Mary’s, Isles of Scilly – 3rd October 2003
Given that just by getting to St.Mary’s, and presumably having a map, you have show a lot of initiative and commitment, I won’t try to describe the minutiae of getting to sites on the island (but might just make a few comments). Most major sites are signposted, but I was disappointed (in general) at the poor signposting of paths, especially given that I have read others say that Scilly sites are well signposted, and the general fact that tourism is the main economy of the islands.
This is obviously a strange one because of its location right next to an X shaped daymark (within an unfinished Tudor fort) and it being cemented in place, but seems to be recognised as a menhir. It was first recorded by Borlase in 1756 as sitting on a mound. Stones litter the immediate area possibly suggesting a previous cairn?
Give all the above I felt the menhir was in a rather ‘cold’ place. Couldn’t get much feeling of ancient history!
Buzza Hill Entrance Graves – St.Mary’s, Isles of Scilly – 3rd October 2003
Buzza Hill can be reached via a footpath up from the east end of Porthcressa Beach, or from just off Church Road (either a footpath from the Power Station, or via the Hospital Lane).
It’s well worth the short climb. Not only does the hill give you the best views back over Hugh Town but also it contains one existing entrance grave, one that was probably an entrance grave before a windmill was built on it in 1834 (and which is now ‘King Edward’s Tower’ and lots of stones that might be some sort of chamber (between the two above ones).
Compared to all the ‘show graves’ of the islands the entrance grave is not great (only one capstone in place), but the position is fantastic and it is a very enigmatic place. The Cornish Antiquarian William Borlase excavated two chambered cairns on the hill in the mid-18th century. He found neither pottery or human bones.
The kerbed ring around the tower is excellent in places and I guess it would have a been a classic entrance grave in it’s original form.
St.Agnes Beacon Cairns – 2nd October 2003
Can’t really miss this hill, just west of St.Agnes village. Easy to reach, via numerous public footpaths around the area. National Trust openland. Closest place to park is at SW706507, facing a metal farm building, with room for about 8 cars. But you can also park at many other places in the area and walk to the beacon via footpaths or roads.
The OS map shows 3 cairns on the summit. Two towards the highest point (at the south east end of the summit) and one at the north west end of the summit area. All are in light gorse, with the most southerly one the deepest amongst the thorns. None stand out massively, and there are many other similar mounds round the hill. I cannot believe that some of these aren’t also burial cairns.
The hill stands out for miles around, and the views from it are totally stunning. The highest point isn’t actually a cairn, but the old beacon, which is topped with a panoramic plate showing you the landmarks for around 25kms around, including several windfarms, the china clay area around Roche (24km away) and Carn Brae (10km away).
The Bolster Bank is visible to the south and southeast of the Beacon, but isn’t totally obvious ( an OS map will help you orientate yourself). It is believed that originally this Dyke enclosed the whole of the coastal area around the hill, cutting it off from the surrounding land.
Bolster Bank – 2nd October 2003
I wouldn’t agree with Craig Weatherhill, in “Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall & Scilly” (Cornwall Books – 1985, revised 1997 & 2000) who says the best place to view the dyke is where it abuts the south side of the road between the west side of St.Agnes and Goonvrea (at about SW717501). Yes, there is a public footpath at that point but it is separated from the dyke by highish hedge, and there is no obvious way to see the dyke close up.
I didn’t try viewing the bank (up close) from a different place. The obvious place to try would be where the bank crosses the road from St.Agnes Beacon to Towan Cross (around Goonvrea Farm, at SW 713496). Instead, I got a pretty good overview from the top of St.Agnes Beacon although it does take a few moments to get your bearings; the dyke is hardly the Wall of China and takes a bit of spotting.
It is believed that originally this Dyke enclosed the whole of the coastal area around the hill, cutting it off from the surrounding land. The reason for the bank is not obvious, and nor is the date. Craig Weatherhill, in Cornovia, writes that “It could date from anytime between 500BC and 1000AD, but opinion leans in favour of a post-Roman date, probably fifth or sixth century AD”.
St.Piran’s Round – 2nd October 2003
Although it’s not signposted it is relatively easy to find 1.2km along the B3285 from Goonhavern (towards Perranporth), on the north side of the road, just off a small lane opposite a pink house. You can park a car discreetly on the side of the lane, just off the main road. There is open access to the land.
There is a stile into the enclosure where the earthwork stands and a flagstone entrance into the interior. A small sign gives the following statement, “This St.Piran’s Round is protected as a monument of national importance under the Ancient Monuments Acts 1913-53: Department of the Environment”.
The earthwork is ‘perfect’. Well kept, a perfect circle, with two opposite entrances, equal height banks, and a decent (if overgrown) ditch on the outside. Birds fluttered and it was all so idyllic, almost too idyllic!
The ladle shaped depression is way cool. I can just imagine it being used in the medieval miracle plays.
Prospidnick Menhir – 1st October 2003
It’s not easy to describe exactly how to get here through the variety of lanes. Probably best to get an OS map. Or try this. On the B3297 just north of Helston, take the first left after the golf course (signposted ‘Coverack Bridges’; and others). Pass the red phone box at Coverack Bridges and continue along the lane, past the school. Take the next right at a small triangular junction. This lane takes you past the farm at Chyreen. Just past Halvance Farm there is a small junction. Go right (signposted ‘Releath’ and the sexy menhir is then clearly in view on your right.
This slim but tall stone lies in the field wall on the roadside. There is space almost opposite to park for a short while.
Halligye Fogou – 1st October 2003
Amazing. Without having seen all the other fogous, this and the Carn Euny fogou must be the cream of the crop. Everyone should see this. Everyone! Despite the changes over time (the current entrance is believed to be wrong, and a hole now exists in the main passageway thus letting in light) this is still in very good condition, and with public access for much of the year. I felt the hole might be deliberate to let light into the main passage and make it safer to be in. Just a total guess though.
It wasn’t clear from the OS map exactly where the entrance to the Trelowarren Estate was, so it was a good surprise to see a brown (tourist) sign at the roundabout linking Garras, Mawgan and Rosevear (at SW701243). The turn off to the estate is then marked by a bright modern sign a few hundred metres towards Garras, with the actual estate entrance another 400 metres on at SW705242. After 1km through the estate there is a sign to the fogou and parking for 3-4 cars at SW713241. A short walk up the track takes you to the gates of Halliggye Farm. A marked footpath to the right takes you into an enclosure and you are there, at this amazing structure.
I went in every bit of the fogou, including the tiny original entrance, which I felt was the most stunningly claustrophobic and well engineered. The whole place is just great. Feel the quality of the workmanship.
But the fogou didn’t want its picture taken. Not only was the rain getting heavy now, but I managed to smash my old compact camera on the way out by getting tangled in its strap and accidentally thrashing it about. I’d taken pics with this because it had a flash, whereas my Pentax SLR didn’t. So to try to re-create the now lost pics I went back and took pics again with the Pentax on a fixed shutter speed and trying to use the flash from the compact as a flash. It didn’t work!
NB – The entrance to the estate had a sign saying that all permissive footpaths on the estate were closed between 1st October and ..um...didn’t write the end date down (probably around Easter – I was too busy slapping my head and shouting doh at coming on 1st October!). Despite my fears it didn’t affect me getting to the fogou and I imagine it shouldn’t cause any problems for others because the fogou is an English Heritage site, and up a farm track rather than a footpath. Also the fogou is closed for the winter anyway (currently November to March inclusive).
The Tolvan – 1st October 2003
Just as cool as expected, although I always manage to build up pictures of places in my head and they are never quite the same. I don’t know why but I didn’t quite expect the road the cottage is on to be a country lane, or to be next to the rolling countryside. The area is also surprisingly close to the water (The Helford River is barely 1km away).
Just in case you didn’t know the Tolvan is situated in the back garden of Tolvan Cross Cottage, which is 800m north of Gweek. From Gweek, the main road bends slightly right, whereas the road for the Tolvan is straight on as you get to the Spar / Post Office. The current owners are a lovely young couple, and although they obviously retain the right for people to view at their discretion, they are very flexible and don’t mind people turning up unannounced. Or you can, as I did, give some prior warning in case they are out, away etc. They get about 5-6 people a year at the moment, and unless those number rise dramatically they don’t see it as a problem at all.
The stone is all I expected. Big and enigmatic. One thing that I hadn’t noticed on pics was a small circular hole on the left hand side. Wonder what that is all about?
NB – their ‘front door’ is at the back, next to the stone.
Wendron Stone Circles – 1st October 2003
What’s left of the circles are situated just to the east of the B3297, 800 metres south of the junction with the B3280, around two fields behind a house situated on the rise in the road. There is a lay-by opposite for about 3 cars, although it is quite dangerous to get out of given its situation just under the top of the hill. Directly to the left of the house is an unmarked public footpath that leads towards that back of the house. 2 stones from what was a circle are part of the field wall, apparently still in situ (i.e. they weren’t moved, but were conveniently used as part of the field wall). See Cornovia for a diagram. The other circle is mainly in the next field over (except for one in the field wall – at the viewing point – that is believed to be from the circle), but there is a convenient viewing point at the wall, and it’s obvious that loads of people have climbed over the wall.
When Borlase was excavating the graves the excavation apparently had to be halted because of a violent and destructive thunder storm. Islanders attributed this to the wrath of the giants who lay buried here.
The panoramic plate on the Beacon gives a tale about the cairns.....“Legend has it the Giant Bolster could stand with one foot on St.Agnes Beacon and the other on Carn Brae. Giant Bolster’s wife was made to clear the neighbouring field of stones, three aprons full are seen today as barrows (burial mounds) on top of the beacon”.
I’ve also read that the two giants on St.Agnes Beacon and Carn Brea would hurl bolders across the space between the two hills, and Bolster was able to stride from the Beacon to Carn Brea with one mighty step.
Like Trencrom Hill and St.Agnes Beacon, there is a legend of a Giant of the hill. The giant feuded with the giant Bolster at St.Agnes Beacon, which is 10km (6miles) to the north.
The Carn Brae giant has several natural rocks named after him on the hill, such as The Giant’s Head, Hand, Couch and Cradle.
‘Four Burrows’ Barrow cemetery – 30th September 2003
Located on either side of the A30, on the highest land in the area, these enormous barrows are impossible NOT to spot between the A30/A390/A3075 roundabout (locally called the ‘Chiverton’ Roundabout) and the junction of the A30 and B3284! You can either park in a small layby right next to the dead-end lane to ‘Fourburrow’ (not signposted), or just off the dead end lane itself.
As barrows 1 and 2 are located in the corner of fields it looks as though they are pretty much left to grow wild, whereas barrows 3 & 4 are more part of the cropped field and when I visited they were pretty neatly kept, and being famed up to the edge, making them stand out in the field (as if there size didn’t make them stand out anyway!)
Callestick Settlement – 30th September 2003
Marked on the 1:25,000 OS map as a small round settlement. The map suggests it is bisected by a field boundary just to the west of the ‘Callestock Cyder Farm’. However when wandering to the west of the cyder farm it seems like the one big field on the map is now two fields – the east side is the car park and some wildish land with a large earth bank as a boundary (which I first took as possibly part of the settlement but later discounted), and the west side has been made into a horse field. This means the setlement must be part of the far side of the horse field, with the other part in the next field. With the naked eye, and at a distance, I couldn’t see anything to suggest the
remains of a settlement was there.
I love Cornwall but it does have more than its fair share of ultra cheesy touristy places, and this ‘Cyder Farm’ must be the equivalent of Gorgonzola. It really is awful, and the cider isn’t even that good (and is VERY expensive for no good reason).
Ballowall Barrow – 29th September 2003
From the west side of St.Just follow the ‘Cape Cornwall’ road past ‘Cape Cornwall School’. 300 metres on, as the houses finish on the left hand side of the road, take an immediate left. This is NOT signposted (and bloody should be for a site if this importance). Follow this road into the National Trust land and you can hardly fail to spot this sublime ‘barrow’ on the left hand side of the road, just after an old mine chimney.
Parking is available a short distance past the barrow.
I put inverted commas on ‘barrow’ because this thing is so amazing that I feel there has to be a separate word for it! I have seen quite few different types of barrows and burial places in my time and this blows them all out of the water, being a mix of different sites and styles. The central dome is assumed to have been significantly bigger before, and with its strange thick collar all around it surely would have been a magnificent sight all those years ago, whatever it actually looked like at the time.
The entrance grave on the outside is clearly visible, as is a cist directly on the other side of the ‘outer collar’, and another cist at the other side of the central dome. There is also a strange alcove and pit on the east side. This was built by Borlase as a viewing pit; a sort of ‘show pit’. Read the English Heritage listing for the barrow via the internet link below to try to fathom out all of this (I could just follow it, but a diagram would have been useful).
Walking between the outer collar and central dome is a fantastic experience as your senses are surrounded by the ancient equivalent of the art of dry stone walling (although some of it is Borlase’s work).
Carn Euny Settlement – 29th September 2003
With an OS map, this is pretty easy to get to, despite the tortuous journey through lanes with many blind corners. Without a map you might still just make it because the settlement is easily found once you reach Brane, which is basically a dead end settlement. It’s a shame that this amazing settlement isn’t a little bit better signposted from the carpark and given a separate footpath up to it because I can imagine that this could be a very muddy trek in the wrong weather, and if cows are in the fields.
There is a very small ‘brown’ tourist sign at Drift, alongside the sign to Sancreed. At the next main junction (at SW423291) ‘Brane’ is clearly signposted. Only at the next junction (with the lane to Tregonebris – SW416288) is ‘Carn Euny’ not signposted. As you come into Brane, there is one last ‘Carn Euny’ brown signpost. 300 metres after this, next to small wooded area and opposite the last house in Brane, is space for about 5 cars to park. The settlement is then about 300 metres away, up a lane, half way up the next field and then left though a small field to the settlement.
The fogou will blow your mind. The journey is worth it just for this. Although I knew it was a long fogou I wasn’t sure if it was open (because the Chysauster one is so sadly neglected and buggered by English Heritage) and hadn’t totally read up about it. I was happy to simply see that the south entrance was open and got my torch at the ready thinking it would be a creepy, narrow place, but soon realised that once under the lintelled south entrance (which originally wouldn’t have been an entrance by the way) I could easily stand up – indeed, I later ran through the fogou and back into the corbelled room jumping up and down at the bloody size of the underground structures! The corbelled room will shock you even if you have been in other fogous or Scottish souterrains. Forget the dodgy roof, just feel the width! And look at the skill of the building work. Amazing. The main fogou passage is also a masterpiece of engineering. The creep at the southern end (believed to be originally the only entrance) is also pretty cool, although it is sensitively blocked at ground level by wooden slats.
The courtyard houses are not as impressive as Chysauster, but nevertheless are well worth the visit as well.
Pentire Point East Barrows – 28th September 2003
The area is easily reached via the dead end road through Pentire, 2kms from the A392 coming into Newquay. A car park (not free in season, but only 50p an hour) is situated where the road ends, and also has toilets. Or you could chance parking at Lewinnick Lodge Restaurant, halfway along the north slope of the headland.
Not surprisingly the views off the headland are stunning, reaching as far north as the Trevose Lighthouse, about 15km up the coast. The end of the headland is a great position for a low barrow at SW781616.
Just before you get to the carpark, there is another barrow (topped with vegetation) on the northside of the road at SW789615. Opposite houses, on the ‘Pentire Pitch and Putt’.
The Kelseys Barrows – 28th September 2003
SW7660 area
The OS map shows 3 barrows dotted around ‘The Kelseys’, near Kelsey Head Cliff Castle. The nearest to the cliff castle is allegedly at SW765605, but I couldn’t find a trace of it. The second is visible as a low mound near the cliff edge at SW765602, and the third is at SW768600 but is pretty indistinct.
Penhale Point Cliff Castle – 28th September 2003
Easily reached via Holywell, although the interior of the headland is littered with old mining activity, and modern god knows what (not marked on the map – seem to be some sort of telecom / electrical stuff) and signs tell you to stick to the coast path. It’s worth the effort because the view in all directions is stunning, be it out to sea and Carter’s Rocks, to Ligger Point to the south or towards Holywell Beach and Kelsey Head to the north. And the defences of the cliff castle are still quite impressive.
Kelsey Head Cliff Castle – 28th September 2003
The car parks at West Pentire both seem to be privately run because they seem to charge all day / all year around (whereas most Council owned ones are free off season / outside peak hours), but are probably still the best places to start if you come by car. If you stick to the coast path you could probably get away without a map. Otherwise you may feel more confident with one. By the by, there is a semi-signposted short cut across fields to ‘Porth Joke’. The National Trust car park via Treago Farm is free, but not well signposted.
Porth Joke is not only a great name, but also had cows grazing right up the sand (and even some hoof prints in the sand – had they been out surfing??). Kelsey Head Cliff Castle is then on the next headland.
The defences are not particularly impressive but you can imagine that the site would have been quite out of the way and maybe would not have needed large ramparts. The entrance (in the middle of the V shaped ramparts) is relatively obvious if you walk long the defences.
Cubert Common Round Barrow – 28th September 2003
This massive barrow can be found on the far south edge of Cubert Common, now owned by the National Trust. It can be reached by two main means, either via the large tract of National Trust land to the west and north (which includes a discrete official and free car park reached via Treago Farm) or via the tiny lanes from Cubert, Tresean or Treworgans. These lanes bring you to a gate on the south edge of the NT land and you can actually park inside the gate, right next to the barrow, but horses have been know to damage cars.
The barrow is massive and has a great view to the sea, so may have been for an important local burial.
Cubert Round Settlement – 28th September 2003
Very little now seems to survive of this enclosure. Either that or I wasn’t very observant.
The site straddles the road from the A3075 to Cubert and Holywell (about 1km from the A3075 junction), and the OS map seems to be out of date now. The blob on the south side of the road is a large agricultural barn, but a similar (although smaller) structure now also exists on the north side of the road. Both have tracks leading into them where on a quiet day you might be able to park for a short while. There doesn’t really seem to be anything left of see of the enclosure, although I assume some of it still exists under the very wild overgrowth on the south side of the road, complete with old agricultural equipment.
Blackbury Castle / Camp – 27.9.2003
Located just to the North side of A3052 between Seaton and Sidmouth. A relatively simple way to get this English Heritage administered site is via a side road close to the junction with the B3176. However it is not actually signposted from this main road which is a pain if you don’t have an OS map. If you do find this lane heading north from the main road, the site is then signposted at the next (left turn), and about 1.5 kms along this road the hillfort lies just south of this narrow lane. At the site itself it is signposted from the westerly direction, but not the easterly so you could miss it! The 1:25,000 OS map calls it Blackbury Camp. The 1:50,000 map calls it Blackbury Castle.
A small car park is located just off the easterly entrance through the large and very impressive ramparts. A board gives the following info, ‘“An Iron Age hillfort defended by a single bank and ditch forming a rough D-shaped enclosure. A triangular outwork or barbican was added to the South but never completed. The fort was probably occupied between the second and first centuries BC by a cattle farming community”.
This is a fantastic and interesting ‘hill fort’ with impressive defences, and an interesting annexe on the south side. Trees also surround it, and it isn’t on the actual top of the hill, but surely would have been quite an imposing structure. Despite being around 185 metres above sea level you cannot see the sea, which is blocked by one more hill to the south. Well worth a visit.
‘The Archaeology of the Bromley Area’ (Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit – 1985) reports that “…..at Warbank, Keston, a large unenclosed Iron Age settlement was excavated by the West Kent group in 1969-75 and this must have related to the hill fort in some way. This work revealed many pits and four-post structures as well as pottery and quernstones for grinding corn”.
The publication later seems to contradict itself by writing that the site was enclosed (not unenclosed)…. “Part of the [Roman villa] building cut across an earlier (Iron Age) enclosure, though it is interesting that the centre of the villa appears to line up with the enclosure entrance!”
This site is most well known for it’s Roman mausoleum / tombs, villa and other buildings. The mausoleum / tombs are all that now survive above ground and were open today as part of the ‘London Open House’. It’s in the private grounds of a rather posh house (complete with Tennis Court) and is not normally open to the public.
However, what is less well known is that the site, on the lower slopes of the now dry valley of the Ravensbourne, was first settled in the Iron Age circa 600-200 BCE, when a small farm was established. This later expanded with enclosed animal compounds and wooden huts indicating a reasonably affluent family living and farming at Keston. Links are also assumed to the nearby important hill fort at Caesars Camp.
‘A Walk Through Keston’ (The West Kent Archaeological Group – Second Edition 1976) mentions a bank and ditch on Keston Common immediately above the ponds, on the top right-hand (west) edge of the car park. “This can be traced running westwards for a distance of about 270 yards and there is a possible entrance near the center. It is possible that this is a boundary ditch dating from Saxon or later times, but it is also possible that it was built in Iron Age times and related in some way to the great hill fort in Holwood Park ”.
‘The Archaeology of the Bromley Area’ (Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit – 1985) is a little less ambiguous and after discussing the hill fort, adds that “It’s surviving main entrance lies close to Keston Ponds where it is in turn protected by another rampart and ditch on Keston Common”
‘The Archaeology of the Bromley Area’ (Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit – 1985) reports that “…by about 200 BC a very large and powerful tribe dominated the area with a territory probably reaching to the River Thames. Unfortunately, its name and its chieftains are not known! Such were its resources in terms of manpower and organization that it was able to construct a massive hillfort at Holwood Park, Keston, covering an area of about 43 acres. Here large numbers of tribesmen and women would have been required to construct the massive multiple ramparts and ditches which in places topped 40ft and ran for a mile in circumference. Although much of the fences were thrown down in the 18th Century, it still rates a one of the most spectacular prehistoric sites in Kent. It is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monuments and lies within private grounds. Minor excavations took place here many years ago, but the interior has never been excavated”.
This publication also has two good diagrams of the site. The surviving defences are univallate (i.e. a one bank and ditch) on the North side, and bivallate (i.e. two banks and ditches) on the West side. The north west section also shows an entrance. The rest of the defences have been flattened.
Please note – This link will take you straight to a PDF document of English Heritage’s record for the Belair Bowl Barrow, via the MAGIC site, so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.
Please note – This link will take you straight to a PDF document of English Heritage’s record for the Ambleside bowl barrow, via the MAGIC site, so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.
I’m pretty sure this is the hill fort that was mentioned by the esteemed John Craven on ‘Countryfile’ last weekend in an article about better public access to a lot of the land to the East and South East of Craven Arms following agreements between local landowners and the local authority as part of an effort to create circular walks in the area and attract people to Craven Arms / Shropshire.
It is Scheduled Ancient Monument. Looking at the OS map it looks like it had pretty decent access around the outside anyway – maybe it’s the interior that is now permitted access as well?
Not much info on this one. Jeanette Ratcliffe in ‘Scilly’s Archaeological Heritage’ (Twelveheads Press, 1995) merely says “This entrance grave has a chamber extending almost its whole diameter. Nineteen simple cairns lie to the north and north-east.”
‘The Earth Mysteries Guide to Ancient Sites on the Isles of Scilly’ (Meyn Mamvro, 1995, revised 1996 & 1999) adds that the entrance grave is “30ft in diameter, with a chamber 4ft 9in wide in the middle, occupying almost its whole diameter. Four capstones remain”.
Jeanette Ratcliffe in ‘Scilly’s Archaeological Heritage’ (Twelveheads Press, 1995) explains that a Civil war battery dominates the area and “a possible magazine in the platform’s north-east corner re-uses the chamber of an entrance grave hose visible remains are an upright slab and capstone. The curve of the battery on this side may reflect the circular edge of the entrance grave”.
‘The Earth Mysteries Guide to Ancient Sites on the Isles of Scilly’ (Meyn Mamvro, 1995, revised 1996 & 1999) adds the entrance grave is 75ft in diameter and has a chamber 4ft 10in wide, orientated SW (winter solstice sunset).
Please note – this part of Gugh is used by nesting colonies of black-backed gulls during spring and early summer
Jeanette Ratclifffe in ‘Scilly’s Archaeological Heritage’ (Twelveheads Press, 1995) gives the following info. “Two prehistoric round houses and associated field wall. Though perhaps an Iron Age cliff castle because of its promontory location, none of the walls appear substantial enough to have formed a line of defence and an unenclosed settlement is more likely. Each hut consists of a levelled area enclosed by a circle of boulders set on edge. The field system comprises boulder walls, slightly lynchetted, standing a maximum of 0.6metres high”
‘The Earth Mysteries Guide to Ancient Sites on the Isles of Scilly’ (Meyn Mamvro, 1995, revised 1996 & 1999) adds little extra.
Jeanette Ratclifffe in ‘Scilly’s Archaeological Heritage’ (Twelveheads Press, 1995) gives the following info. “On the north-western knoll is an entrance grave with a kerb of very large boulders and outcrop, and an off-centre chamber with walls but no capstones. Halfway along the ridge lies a second entrance grave with a kerb similar to the first and a chamber with its floor and walls of large boulders and natural rocks. No capstones remain. On the south-eastern knoll are an entrance grave and a cairn. The first has an oval mound with an incomplete stone kerb and a ruinous central chamber of boulders set on edge with two upright stones flanking its entrance but no capstones. The second is a circular cairn, partially kerbed with upright boulders and with an off-centre cist built against natural rock. Stone slabs form its other three sides, but no capstones survive”
Craig Weatherhill, in “Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall & Scilly” (Cornwall Books – 1985, revised 1997 & 2000) adds…”Each of the three summits of Cruther’s Hill carries barrows. The northern summit has an oval, kerbed mound with diameters of 12m and 8m. It is 0.9m high and incorporates natural outcrops. The chamber, in an off-centre position near the south-western end of the mound, appears rather cist-like despite its length of 3.8m. It is 0.7m wide, with its western end covered by one surviving capstone. The tomb on the central summit is an unmistakable entrance grave, 8m in diameter and 1.8m high. It has a massive kerb, broken on the north-east by the entrance to a roofless chamber 4.7m long, 1.2 long (sic), and 1.0m deep. The southern summit bears the remains of two conjoined barrows. The northernmost, 6.5m across, incorporates natural rock. In the centre are the remains of what may have been an entrance grave, but its original plan and orientation are impossible to ascertain from surface appearance. The southern mound is 4.5m in diameter and 0.8m high and retains much of its kerb. There is a large natural boulder within the kerb, but no trace remains of any chamber or cist that the barrow may have held. All the barrows are likely to be of late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age date.”
Cornovia also has two of Weatherhill’s classic sexy diagrams. Note – the photo in Cornovia is actually of Bant’s Carn (from the opposite page).
Jeanette Ratclifffe in ‘Scilly’s Archaeological Heritage’ (Twelveheads Press, 1995) gives the following info. “A well-preserved entrance grave consisting of a circular cairn surrounded by an incomplete kerb of large boulders with an infilled chamber, with coursed stone walls and two capstones still in place. On the slopes below lie nine small cairns (some kerbed). A low stony bank ditched on its south side cuts the island in half. Of unknown date, it is later in character than the fragmentary prehistoric field system of boulder walls, forming a rectilinear pattern.”
‘The Earth Mysteries Guide to Ancient Sites on the Isles of Scilly’ (Meyn Mamvro, 1995, revised 1996 & 1999) gives the following info. “On Higher Town Beach to the East of New Quay lies this prominent stone row (partially covered at high tide), the only one positively identified on the Scillies. A previous one thought to be on the island of Old Man (Tean) has been shown to be a wall structure. Three stones still exist in the St.Martin’s row, one of which is grooved and one of which may have (natural?) cup marks. The row seems to point to Chapel Dows above to the NE, and may therefore have marked the place from which to view the Midsummer sun rising over the prehistoric sites on the Downs”
Nicholas Johnson and Peter Rose in ‘Cornwall’s Archaeological Heritage’ (Twelveheads Press, 1990) consider it “One of the most spectacular sites in the county” and give the following info. “Excavated in 1963-67, the site was occupied between 4th Century BC and 1st Cent AD. Round houses were found with pottery, bones and other artifacts suggesting a settled occupation much the same as in inland hillforts (e.g. Warbstow). Traces of hut platforms can be seen behind the inner rampart and on the slopes of the E knoll, along with the lines of at least two fields. The ramparts (numbered 1-4 onwards) are part of two phases. In Phase 1, ramparts 1 (inner) and 3 were built with a large area, perhaps of defended grazing, between them. Phase 2 – ramparts 2 and 4 (outer) built, rampart 1 still in use, rampart 3 abandoned. A modern wall has been built into the outer rampart. The defences were at their most complex, with massive wooden gateways and walkways over the top, just before abandonment.”
Antiquities of the Cornish Countryside (Tor Mark Press – no date, seems to be early 1970’s) gives the following info. “Lies at the entrance to the River camel, north side. Reached by B3314 from Wadebridge to St.Minver and then by C roads to Pentire Farm, on Pentire headland. Take the coastal footpath (signposted). The large and well defended fort was recently excavated and has three great banks and ditches thrown across the approaches to Rumps Point; behind them lie the remains of Iron Age dwellings”
Craig Weatherhill, in “Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall & Scilly” (Cornwall Books – 1985, revised 1997 & 2000) adds “The magnificent cliff castle at the Rumps, near Polzeath, was found to have housed a thriving community which perhaps had trading links with the Mediterranean through the Breton tribe, the Veneti. It may be that the Veneti themselves built the Rumps and other cliff castles, notable Gurnard’s Head which bears similarities to Breton cliff castles on the coast formerly inhabited by the Veneti”
Bushy Park Barrow – 26.5.2003 – the white stuff is not snow on the late May Bank Holiday – it’s from the nearby tree (willow?) creating a marvellous carpet of cotton like fibre. The low mound ahead is what remains of the barrow.
Image credit: Martin Bull
Bushy Park Barrow – 26.5.2003 – The low mound ahead, is what remains of the barrow; sneeze and you might miss it.
Image credit: Martin Bull
Frensham Common Barrows – Barrow 1, looking towards the lovely Frensham Great Pond.
Image credit: Martin Bull
Bourne Wood Barrow – 31.5.2003 – looking at the top of the barrow which has been heavily dug into
Image credit: Martin Bull