Visited on Friday 3rd June, 2005.
Landowner friendly (ish) and happy to let me go and have a look for as long as I want - I imagine he would be happy for responsible adults to do as I did.
Mound seems to be aligned as Elderford says and is about 30 paces in length. A few slabs visible but much disturbed and covered in nettles at the western end, it took a while to get a picture in my minds eye of how it would have looked. This tomb would have been clearly visible to people travelling along the bottom of the Wye Valley.
There is a sunken track to the east of the mound behind the farm house which leads down to the valley bottom - I have no idea of its age.
It's a comfortable 20 minute walk from Hay on Wye where you might be able to find a book that will tell you more, and if yr interested in Roman stuff there's a fort about half way between the two.
Have taken some pictures but as yet haven't figured out how to put them on the site (and haven't developed them yet either).
Clyro Court Farm is almost opposite Baskerville Hall Hotel.
|
Sat 21st May 2005.
Approached from "Pill cycle track" in the Avon Gorge, up through Leigh Woods/Nightingale Valley - hurt my back carrying bike. Probably easier to approach from the other side of the woods just off A369!
Volunteers have done a great job clearing some of the bank and ditch of trees - you can get a good idea of the scale now, but most of the site remains wooded, giving the kind of "enchanted ruin" feel you don't often get. At one time, I guess, there would have been less trees around.
It's very peaceful, with only the odd walker or squirrel to disturb you, and there are great views to be had.
This is one of a string of iron age forts (circa 350 bce) in the Gorge, which says something for the strategic importance of the area - a kind of watery, celtic Khyber Pass.
Neolithic and Bronze Age finds have been made in the area, and can be seen at the Ashton Court Visitor Centre and Bristol Museum (which is good and free to enter).
|
|
Ex rock and roller, ex teacher, soon to be ex nurse. Thinking about rock and roll again.
Grew up on the edge of Salisbury Plain, now living in Bristol. Likes old stuff.
|
|
Log in |
Register
Top of page