First thanks to Carl for the directions! There are lots of yellow grit boxes in the area – the one you want is at ///tend.ratio.bidder grid ref SN 702060. Once there it is an easy walk along tracks/path to the circle. I think some of the field gates have gone since those instructions. Also no sign of any rubbish so hopefully the fly tippers have gone too.
As to the circle itself what a wonderful place. After all the unbearably hot London days this summer a cool breezy one in Wales was most welcome. The site is in a prominent position with fine views and plenty of interest nearby such as the burial chamber.
The circle is compact and the kerb style upright stones unusual. Sitting against the stones gives a real opportunity to contemplate the ancestors.
If you can visit here!
M
MA Mark
Wonderful site.
Offerings at the kist.
Seriously large stones – an impressive site.
On a sunny June afternoon is there anywhere better to be than Avebury?
The false portal and projecting horns. All covered in wild flowers and grass.
The common was full of wonderful rare orchids including beautiful bee orchids.
The barrow is in a commanding position in a lovely spot with great views. It’s just off the footpath through an unlocked gate. Well worth a visit.
A beautiful spring day with The Toots looking good in the sunshine. I have never seen or heard as many Skylark who were filling Selsley Common with their joyous song.
Whilst always using TMA to scope out a visit away from home for some inexplicable reason I’d never check closer to where I live – so having rectified this I had to visit The Hare Stone which is a couple of miles away.
Whilst in the London Borough of Harrow this is in a leafy area with very little development. There’s not a lot of information about the stone itself which (if you look at pre WWII photo) has been moved in the last century or even replaced by another stone? The Hare pub is a listed building historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1079732 but no mention is made to the stone unlike the nearby Weald Stone which is listed historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1286172 (see separate TMA entry). The road and nearby woodland are clearly old and there is the ancient “Grims Dyke” nearby which seems to be Iron Age grimsdyke.com/grims-dyke-ancient-earthwork-of-harrow-between-myth-and-history/
The stone itself is sarsen and there are a few of these in other places in Harrow including Pinner Memorial Park.
In summary an interesting stone to see if you are in the area but no evidence of it having any specific ancient role.
The stone in its pre WWII position – thanks to the Harrow Local History Collection.
Image credit: Harrow Local History Collection
Another view.
Stone in context.
Pub now named “The Hare”.
Two months since my last visit the autumn rains have done their job and the common is green again.
A bright fresh Sunday morning. Barrow in prominent spot overlooking valley down to Severn.
Standing proud above the River Leach valley in a parched, brown and dusty landscape this large long barrow is an impressive site. Our visit was made more atmospheric with surrounding dark skies, flashes of lightning and thunder rumbling around the heavens.
The barrow itself is on the National Trust Lodge Park site where there is an ongoing project to reinstate its historic Bridgeman landscape. Cattle roam around the field and the barrow is unfenced so you can easily explore. It seems access is only allowed when Lodge Park itself is open which is relatively limited weekends.
The barrow is really big, paced out at c.40m long.
Cap stones visible.
In a very dry and dusty field the barrow stands proud.
I don’t really associate Norfolk with all things MA so being in the area decided to come and see Harpley Common. Looking at the OS map there is a cluster of Bronze Age tumuli, it’s a good spot in the landscape and the barrows would have been a prominent feature.
We started off trying to find the most northerly barrow (TF755288) as described on the MA listing which is just north of the parking spot on Peddars Way. The field where this is looks like it has been set aside and was full of bracken and hawthorn bushes; in September there was no easy sighting of the barrow.
Heading south you can easily see a fine barrow at TF759283. No obvious access into the field but easily viewed from Peddars Way and the road.
Norfolk Council had erected a good information board which had a link to a circular walk norfolk.gov.uk/media/19208/Houghton-Walking-Route/pdf/1ohoughton-walking-route.pdf?m=1701471760037 which seems to go close to a couple of the other barrow.
Just off Peddars way – nicely situated Bronze Age barrow.
Central henge banks fenced off for “repairs” by English Heritage. The banks are tall in places and give a good sense of just how monumental it must have been back in the day. A wonderful calm spot.
Finally visited the Thornborough Henges after many years on the wish list. English Heritage website provides good information as to how to get to the sites english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/thornborough-henges/ and there are occasional volunteer led tours. We did the tour of the southern site which is useful as there isn’t a lot to see as the site has been flattened over the years by agriculture. It is worth a visit and the sheer scale of the site is apparent, its use over thousands of years and just how little is known about them.
On a breezy July day there was a sense of calm over the henges. Thank goodness they have been saved from further quarrying.
Path through the crops to the stones.
Finally visited the Devil’s Arrows. What amazing, massive monoliths. Easy to find and park ///clasping.ecologist.thirsty