Capesthorne Park (Round Barrow(s))

This ones dedicated to TheSweetcheat and his Dad and all our Dads without whom we just wouldn't exist. Parking can be tricky, there is no good place, I parked on the first corner to the south of the barrows on the A34 next to a pond. A five minute walk up the road brings us to the woods in which is the first of today's sites. A weakness in the hedge was exploited to good effect and I was in the woods, not knowing exactly where the barrows was, only that it was quite big, I simply headed up the slight hill to its highest point thinking that is where it would be. Twas. It is a big one too, bigger than I thought Cheshire had, shows what I know, and it shows you there's still plenty to see, even in your own back yard, though my back yard is fifty miles across and today it was foggy and snowy but not too cold. It was a strange one to photograph, from the south it's just another hilltop and there's a lot of dead wood about, especially on the northern side of the barrow, and all the trees about it either get in the way or make an avenue leading straight to it, there is a big mature tree growing right out of it's center. Iv'e driven past it a few times but never spotted it from the road, Iv'e only seen its northern nieghbour. Back on to the A34 and two hundred yards up the road and I can see the pedestal topped barrow dimly through the thick helpful fog. It was helpful because these barrows are on extremely private property, Capesthorne park, in thick fog no-one can see you sneak (sorry Aliens is on). So a quick jump over a gate and a straight to it walk of five minutes is all this trespass takes. The barrow is more plowed out than it's neighbour but is still quite prominent. The two barrows would have been inter visible if not for the trees and a house and the pea soup. The pedestal on top seems to serve no purpose other than to direct the eye across the perfect lawn, past the groups of four trees to the bump, to the barrow that is now only a lawn feature. I will have to come back in the spring to get another look, especially to the wooded one. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by postman 6th February 2012ce

Membury Camp (Hillfort)

Membury Camp is one of those sites I've 'seen' many - goodness knows how many - times from the M4 services of the same name.... but never got around to visiting. Well, you know how it is? Probably not much there, better places on the 'list' etc.... However I decide to remedy that today, inspired, I guess, by tjj's images back in October. Which is what TMA is all about, is it not? I approach from the north, so, leaving the M4 at Junction 14, I take the A338 toward Wantage, almost immediately turning left upon the B4000. At Lambourn Woodlands, where the b-road veers sharply right, continue upon a minor road past Fox Farm, parking at the entrance to a farm track on the left. Follow this, past a house, to pick up a public footpath crossing the M4 via - you'll no doubt be pleased to note - a bridge. The stony track continues, passing a prominent wood and with the nissen huts of the former RAF airfield to the left, towards another phalanx of trees concealing the hillfort. The track becomes path and, eventually, affords access to the enclosure. Jeez, it's a big one, Dyer quoting a very impressive 12 hectares, although I'm arguably more impressed by the sheer size of the defensive bank encountered by the traveller. Initially I take the enclosure to be bi-vallate - that is protected by two concentric banks; however Dyer cites the outer as being a counterscarp to the massive ditch. Whatever.... splitting hairs, perhaps. As with all hillforts, the only real way to appreciate the form and substance of the defences is to walk them.... suffice to say, despite the vegetation being, relatively speaking, not that prohibitive - at least in winter - a circuit takes me over an hour, such is the circumference of this massive earthwork. In fact it is only the distant hum of the M4 which provides an indication of where exactly I am. Are we there yet? No. Are we there yet? Shut-up. Not that this is exactly a hardship, not with Nature having taken over the ramparts to do her thang, occasional pieces of flint lying provocatively upon the bank, as if to say 'for all you know I'm an ancient tool'. But therein lies the problem... I'm no expert. Sigh. Following lunch, I'm just about to complete my second, and final circuit when the hitherto hidden, entirely unwelcome side of a visit to Membury raises its head. To be fair, I guess she was only doing her job, but I'm suddenly confronted by a 'plummy' middle-aged woman with dogs (I'd seen her about half an hour earlier and thought nothing of it - guess it took some time to summon the bravery to confront me, then... honestly). In short, it appears that I've strayed from the path (I know), that this is very bad (she has no answers to my demands to know why this should be and why the estate wish to forbid me access to my heritage) and that if 'security' catch me I'll be sorry. Oh dear, threats. I assure her I most certainly will not be - sorry that is - that I had no idea walking the ramparts was an issue (there are currently no signs or fences when approaching from the north) and as I've been on site for some three hours, 'security' aren't exactly a formidable unit, are they? I complete my exploration of the defences and have a wander inside the massive enclosure before leaving this exceptional hillfort. So, there you are. Sadly it seems that here we have another 'high end' landowner who has a problem having a (very) fine example of England's heritage upon his/her land. How damn inconvenient, what? Now there are many ordinary - dare I say 'common' - landowners/ farmers throughout this land who, from experience, I know do not see this as an issue and consequently apply a morally decent attitude to access. Work with the people who want to see your stuff and attitudes invariably improve on both sides, do they not? Yeah, I know. It's plain common sense. Unfortunately such intelligent reasoning, although prevalent somewhere as off the beaten track as the environs of Loch Fyne, for example, does not appear to have caught on yet at Membury. Guess it takes time to filter down.... Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by GLADMAN 4th February 2012ce

Tremenheere (Standing Stone / Menhir)

I first saw this site on Pastscape,but it had only given an approximate OS number. The names of all the farms and buildings around are all called Tremeneer,Treminheere etc which means "the place of the standing stone" As I live only 30mins walk from my front door I thought I'd take a look. At the place called Tremenheere (there's a higher and lower) I saw a big standing stone about 9 feet+. I went back the next day with my camera and the farmer was there. He told me that when he was young the stone had stood where it is now,it had then been pulled down and buried. The plough kept hitting it so it was moved to the hedge. The fella said he had always had an urge/feeling to put it back,he had always remembered since being young where it had stood. A few years ago when he had the equipment and people he put it back up. Its a classic Cornwall standing stone,I realised this as soon as I first saw it. Its well worth a visit if your around this way. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by bladup 2nd February 2012ce

Nash Point (Cliff Fort)

Cae'r Eglwys, Nash Point Agree with Gladman about the condition of this site. I had a look recently when I went to visit the nearby Hillfort and Barrows. Unless you specifically looked for it you wouldn't know it was there. Just a lumpy, rough patch of grass. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by CARL 2nd February 2012ce

Drombohilly (Stone Circle)

Visited 1st February 2012 Turn off the R571 at Lauragh Bridge, down a narrow lane which takes youu towards Drombohilly. I parked by a green hut just past Gowlaur Lough. From here , I found an easy spot to cross the small stream and headed directly uphill towards Drombohilly Hill. It's a little boggy,but nothing to really get your feet wet. I was lucky enough to see a male Hen Harrier gliding past me and over the ridge. After gaining some height, I headed left parrallel with the road towards the fence. Theres an easy spot to step over by the high rocks. Then head around the head of the wet are to the next fence. There is one spot where it has fallen down and it's relatively easy to slip under it. Keep going to the last fence, hich is easily negotiable. You find yourself on a firebreak/track which heads left down hill, turning sharply right and steeply down. Drombohilly Circle soon comes into view in the infant plantation ahead right. Just before reaching the small stream veer off right, heading directly towards the circle. It may take a little longer than the more direct routes, but its relatively easy. Drombohilly Circle is a gem. A multiple circle, there are 9 stones standing and 1 fallen. All are quite tall. This circle looks like it will disappear into the forestry which has been planted here in years to come, so visit while you can ! Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Meic 2nd February 2012ce

Uragh West (Stone Circle)

Visited on 1st February 2012 Directions to the car park are the same as for Uragh. Then follow the farm track up over the cattle grids, up the hill until the track does a v to the left. There is a handmade sign pointing you in the right direction (for fulacht fia and boulder burials). Go through the gate and follow the signs and well worn track around Uragh wood and you will walk straight into Uragh West Circle. The Farmer walked some of the way with me, he was really friendly and proud that he has all of this history on his land. He gave me the directions to the higher of the two circles, pointing it out on the hillside to me. I didn't begrudge the ?‚?2 here. He obviously does his best to upkeep everything and has made that path to the lower circle ! As I said, you walk straight into this one. The first thing that strikes you is the big boulder burial in the centre. There are 8 stones still standing in the circle with 2/3 fallen. An old wall has been built across the Northern edge, incorporating one of the circles stones ! There are two further boulder burials nearby ! This is a great little circle, hidden behind the woods below Knocknagarrane.Hopefully the gorse won't become too invasive and take over. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Meic 1st February 2012ce

Uragh (Stone Circle)

Visited on 1st February 2012 Follow the signs for Gleninchiquin Park and Uragh Stone Circle off the R571. Look out for a right turning signposted Uragh Stone Circle. This will take you to the private car park and there is a charge of ?,?2. From the car park, the Farmer has laid out a nice footpath over the hill to the circle, making it a nice easy dry 5 minute walk. The circle makers certainly chose a magical place, on a hill between two loughs, with amazing views in all directions. Overlooked by the mountains of Knocknagaraveela, Knockagarrane and Knockreagh.Unfortunately the waterfall wasn't very visible today in the haze ! The circle is made up of 5 stones, including 2 portals (one of which now leans outwards) and a recumbant. The massive standing stone is set right behind the recumbant. There also seems to be a rectangular pit in the centre. Comments (2)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Meic 1st February 2012ce

Coldrum (Long Barrow)

I've been meaning to visit Coldrum for what seems like an eternity. It would pop into my head as I was lurching around the M25 after a hard days slog in London, but usually I'd find myself too tired, the light would be fading or the weather not quite right. So despite the on/off rain showers Mrs. C and I decided to try a visit on the way to friends in North Kent and as it turned out it couldn't have been much better. I was a bit surprised once we'd located it that it wasn't perched on the edge of the North Downs, which is how I'd always pictured it, but nestling in the valley below on a small raised platform of a hill. The views from here, however, are quite wonderful as your gaze tumbles along the bottom of the downs and across the surrounding fields and I doubt whether that view will have changed very much in the past 5000 years considering its isolation. Somebody else who turned up while we were there informed us that most of the surrounding land is to become a vineyard in the near future and I wondered how that might impact on the site. As we were there as the sun was going down everything seemed to have that warm glow about it and the light gave the stones that extra strength and definition so reminiscent of childhood evenings in Wiltshire when we'd drive out to places like West Kennet and Avebury and the stance of the site is not unlike the Wiltshire sites also. The only detraction was that some imbecile had written the word 'DEVIL' on one of the burial chamber stones in charcoal but it must have been a while ago and it had faded and would probably disappear with the next good rain fall. The other thing that was interesting and which has been noted here before is the strange blueness of the stones once they're in shadow. I couldn't work out if this was just due to the comparison between the lit and unlit stone or perhaps something to do with the lichens that cover them and how they interact with light? So what a delight and a place that I'm itching to get back to, along with the nearby Chestnuts at Addington, which we didn't get to see on this occasion, but would be interesting to compare. Comments (4)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by A R Cane 1st February 2012ce

Kungagraven

Visited 3rd August 2011 the Kungagraven is Scandinavia's largest known burial cairn and therefore was a must visit on our trip to Skane. Having read about the site and seen the pictures in The Megalithic European, I was worried this site might be one of those over-restored tourist trap kind of places, but I needn't have worried. We arrived at 10am, just as the place was opening and had it to ourselves. The low cairn is huge, probably the largest I've ever seen, but so denuded from hundreds of years of being robbed for building materials. The curved entranceway was put in during the restoration work in the 1930's along with the gated doorway and 'crypt' containing the cist, but even with this modern meddling the sheer scale of the place allows it to retain its grandeur. Inside the cool darkened chamber the decorated cist slabs seem to glow in the artificial light, the symbology showing sun wheels and burial rites, the style reminiscent of neolithic cave painting, although this tomb was constructed during the Bronze Age. The preponderance of axe heads painted on the slabs reminds me of the carved axe head symbols I've seen in the tombs in Kilmartin valley. The cist slabs were damaged during the 18th century when the quarrying was at its peak, and three of the slabs even disappeared from the site, although fortunately detailed engravings (copies of which hang in the nearby cafe) were made before this happened. Soon other visitors start to arrive and we move from the small chamber back out to the dazzling sunshine for a wander around the outside of the cairn. Near to the cairn, where you pay for your entrance tickets, by a murmuring brook, is the picturesque Cafe Sagmollan, where we sat for a very nice cup of coffee and I was able to write up my fieldnotes, Ellen also discovered for sale a great little booklet with information on the Kungagraven in English, and even better after leafing through it we discovered that less than 300 metres south of the cairn was a large gravefield with a number of stone settings! An unexpected megalithic bonus that we could head off to explore. Overall the Kungagraven has been well worth a visit, reasonably priced at 20kr (about £2 when we went) and not in any way 'in your face' touristy. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Ravenfeather 31st January 2012ce

Stalling Down (Round Barrow(s))

Visited 28.1.12 COFLEIN states: A circular mound 13.7m in diameter and 1.8m high, damaged by a recent ditch and road on the N + E I on the other hand couldn't make out anything. Probably due to the head height brambles which cover the entire area! Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by CARL 31st January 2012ce

Llanquian Wood Camp (Hillfort)

Visited 28.1.12 Directions: Take the A4222 north out of the charming town of Cowbridge and then take the minor road south east at the first junction you come to. There is room to park near the private road which leads to Hollybush Farm. (After visiting the site you can continue on the minor road a short distance - leading directly onto the A48) I walked down the private road towards the farm and was greeted by the farmer who was busy repairing pot holes in the road. I explained I was hoping to have a look at the Hillfort and he happily explained the way through the farm towards the site. There is a public right of way on the map but nothing at ground level to show where it is. I walked past the stables, through two gates, ducked under electric fences and along what can only be described as a quagmire of a 'path'. Thank the Lord for wellies! A 10 minute walk later and I arrived at the woods where the Hillfort hides. Upon entering the wood I saw a 'path' of sorts with various arrows nailed to trees pointing the direction to take along the path. I don't know if this is used for runners or more likely horse riders given the proximity to the stables? It certainly wasn't for TMAers benefit!! The double ditch/ramparts of the enclosure was easy enough to spot despite the trees and undergrowth with the banks still standing to about 2 metres in height - impressive remains for this part of the world. One thing that was a bit odd is that the site is not on top of the hill, it is on the western slope. Surely not good for defensive purposes? On the other hand the ditches/ramparts seem a bit excessive if this was no more than an animal enclosure? But again, why on the slope and not on the top of the hill? One of life's little mysteries. The weather was very good for the time of year-bit cold but bright skies and no wind. I disturbed several birds whilst stomping about. I then headed back through the mire to Karen, Sophie and Dafydd waiting patiently for me in the car (bless them). Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by CARL 31st January 2012ce

Turin Hill (Hillfort)

13/03/2010 - We parked the car at NO 4938 5230 and walked NE along track to Baldardo then followed path up hill to top. It can be climbed from north as well. Lots to look at here, see link to canmore below for details. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by thelonious 30th January 2012ce

Cairn Plew (Cairn(s))

05/04/2009 - Last cairn of a good day. Walked from Cairn Motherie 1km north. Been a while since I've been here, too long. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by thelonious 30th January 2012ce

Cairn Motherie (Cairn(s))

05/04/2009 - After visiting Cat Law in the morning we went to the twin topped Creigh Hill in the afternoon with its two cairns. Parked car at NO 2603 5978 and headed up to top of Macritch Hill then south to Cairn Motherie. Nice rocky cairn. (summit of this top is approx 1m higher than the south top) Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by thelonious 30th January 2012ce

Cat Law (Cairn(s))

05/04/2009 - Parked at NO 2957 58634. Path leads straight up hill to cairn near summit. It's a pretty big cairn with a good view. Visit was 3 years back, I had forgotten I'd been there till I was looking at the OS map today. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by thelonious 30th January 2012ce

Bearhurst Farm (Round Barrow(s))

Down the road southwest one mile from Henbury destroyed stone circle, turn right in lower Paxhill, after a few hundred yards look right over hedge and there it is. I parked inconsiderately next to a seldom used field gate, crossed the road and jumped another gate, this as I was about to see is not common land or even farmland, but is part of the sprawling over manicured feng shuied garden belonging to Henbury hall. Pretty it is too with the big hall looking on impressively. The Bowl barrow, for it is of this variety, is cordoned off by a rickety fence that nearly fell down as I climbed over. Inside the fence the barrow is covered by rough untouched grasses, fallen branches, three trees and a sapling, standing in stark contrast to the neatly coifed lawn. Finds include a collared urn with a lid made from a round based vessel containing an 18yr old male, over 100 flint flakes scattered across the surface of the barrow, and a crude leaf shaped arrow head. The urns are now in Grosvenor Museum in Chester. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by postman 30th January 2012ce

Henbury (Stone Circle)

Like Gawsworth henge a couple of miles southeast, this stone circle is now utterly destroyed. I'd heard that maybe one stone survived, and was hiding out in the local hedges, near where he once dwelled with others in circular fashion. Despite it's good hiding place I still found it, quite easily about thirty feet from a metal stile in the hedge. It doesn't look dumped, it is earth fast with no wobble, light grey in colour, perhaps limestone? it certainly looked the part anyway. But there is a big open field, so the circle could be shifted about for a hundred yards in any direction. I shall return at a later date for more rummaging in the hedgerows. Until then, any more information anyone. Comments (6)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by postman 30th January 2012ce

Woodhouse End (Round Barrow(s))

I parked near the junction of the A523 and the Oakgrove Fools nook crossing, just by the canal, the barrow is up the lane one hundred yards and in a field to our right. I crossed into the field by a yellow road side grit box, though this is trespassing, but as it's Cheshire's only beaker barrow a quick cloaked survey was well on the cards. It was crowded with sheep as I approached but these soon scattered into the next field, leaving us alone. About one meter high and about fifteen across it is not a mighty work of old but it is in a good position, Gawsworth henge and Broad Oak barrow are almost visible and from on the barrow (sorry) I can see the snow in the Peak district not far away. Oh for a few dollars more. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by postman 30th January 2012ce

Broad Oak Farm (Round Barrow(s))

Just a couple of hundred yards down the road from the destroyed henge, is this apparently well preserved round barrow, with what we may take as a mature Broad Oak tree growing out of it. With the big posh farm and the whir of a quad bike nearby I settled for a gander from the road. it didn't half behoove me but settle I did. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by postman 30th January 2012ce

Gawsworth Henge

Off the A523 at Oakgrove, the henge was in a field behind the Fools Nook public house, I parked at the corner of the field at the junction with the old Leeke to Macc road and a small upwards pointing little lane. The only hint of this henges existence is hearsay at best really, it was apparently finally destroyed in the 1980's by my old buddy agriculture. There is one picture on the megalithic portal (and some minor information) a picture of some trees, Iv'e recreated it here, but I don't know if its a picture of the field in general or weather the trees mark the henge. There is a seat carved from a tree stump and by it there is some sandstone rubble at the foot of another tree, but niether of these miniscule scraps of information reveal the henges former where about's, or if it was a henge at all. To be better safe than sorry I took to wandering the field up and down looking for anything suspect, a couple of features caught my eye and iv'e supplied a picture of each, but at the end of a fruitless search we can only confirm that it is most decidedly gone. After I'd quit the field I was having a further shufty nearby when I watched an unsuspecting fox come trundling over to within ten feet of me it saw me almost too late and yelped and careered off into another field, it fair gave me goosebumps and kind of repaid me for having no henge . Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by postman 30th January 2012ce

Glanbannoo Upper (Standing Stone / Menhir)

Visited 19th January 2012 Nicely set against the backdrop of Mullaghmesha to the East an Imposing stone some 15ft high. It has been incorporated into a field boundary wall. It is visible from the road and certainly catches the eye as you drive past. For access ask at the farm (Ballyhooley Farm), the farmer is really helpful and let me park in the farm yard. The farm dogs of all shapes and sizes are vociferous but harmless. Go through the two gates and its only 30 yards or so away. Another great West Cork site, with so much atmosphere, despite the electric fences. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Meic 30th January 2012ce

Somerford Bridge (Long Barrow)

This time I parked about a hundred yards further down the road from the trig point, the shortest point between the road and the barrow, just a quick hop over a barbed wire fence and whilst Bob isn't technically my uncle we're certainly good friends. In the same field as me and the long barrow were some ponies, as soon as they saw me confidently striding across the field they all came galloping over, some getting a little too close for comfort, eight of them there were, big muscular ponies, that looked me straight in the eye, I looked back and radiated masterful intentions, then I jumped over a small stream and left them behind, they seemed unwilling to cross the very small stream but I was glad they had lost interest so quickly, move along nothing to see here. Now, in the winter, the barrow is more visible and easier to traverse than in the summer, eighteen months ago was my first visit and i'm happy to be back so relatively quickly. The north-western end is larger than its southeastern partner, higher and wider, but I don't know whether these things have fronts and ends, only that it points south east vaguely towards the Bride stones and the winter solstice sunrise, closer inspection may yield a more definitive picture. The long barrow also sports three sets of rabbit holes, nothing outside they're entrance but sand, is this an indication of they're build and make up. I also jumped across the loach brook and scrambled up the opposite bank for a wider view of the small river valley, the long barrow really stands out, looking good even in the mid afternoon gloom of perhaps the greyest day of the year so far, weather wise. Comments (1)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by postman 29th January 2012ce

Swallowhead Springs (Sacred Well)

26.01.2012 A place I'd only found out about recently, and after getting absolutely battered with the hail whilst walking around Avebury this felt like about all I was up to. The place is palpably magical and sacred, without a doubt. The solitude and sanctity of the visit was rather diminished by a pheasant shoot which was going on nearby, but the 'specialness' of the place came through even that. Probably my perceptual set, but the near-recumbent willow/s remind me of the legs of a birthing mother, further sanctifying the site. Silbury looks down, and in an area which can often get crowded this is much quieter and worth a short detour. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Zastrozzi 29th January 2012ce

Lisnagun (Standing Stones)

Visited on the 29th January 2012 Situated in the grounds of the catholic church at Darrary, just past the Agricultural College and the reconstructed Ring Fort at Luis na gCon (Lisnagun) at W417418. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by Meic 29th January 2012ce

Murder Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir)

[visited 29/1/12] What a glorious little stone with an equally glorious view. Its a similar profile to the near-by Whaley Bridge stone and sits in a similarish position, this one having a wider view. Its on a little knoll next to the footpath, so you may have to do a quick ninja run to get right next to it. It's yet another shouldered head of valley stone as well, this one made me seriously think there could be something in the stone representing an ancestor idea. Give it a biodegradable head and you've got a symbol that can look over your land, that can be seen from a fair way away. Access should be easy, there are no stiles from the road, but there is a shut gate into the field then a short steepish climb. There is a space for a car to park just up the road from the farm, I however headed over from kettleshulme via the footpaths. Again this should be straight forward, just aim for the one that comes out nearest the farm, not the one the other side as this takes you through a swamp. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by juamei 29th January 2012ce