Andy Burnham's Blog, page 53

Windmill Hill (Avebury)

Owned by the National Trust, Windmill Hill lies close to the stones and village of Avebury and is the site of a Neolithic Causewayed Enclosure and later barrows. The hilltop is enclosed by three ditches. Finds from Windmill Hill can be seen in the museum at Avebury.

Peterborough Museum

Must Farm Exhibition extended into October 2024, and new online talks announced, details at the bottom of our page. Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery is one of the city’s most historic buildings and is just a four-minute walk from Queensgate Shopping Centre. It includes a large collection of local prehistoric archaeological finds including those from settlements at Fengate.

Tokampen

The Tokampen hillfort is one of the most beautiful locations I have visited. A hillfort that is on the one of the highest elevation from the sea level in Scandinavia (857m above sea level) with a beautiful view over the Gudbrandsdalen valley, and a known hiking destination.

Museum of the Pyramids of Güímar

A interesting museum on Tenerife, Canary Isles, featuring the history of the "pyramids of Güímar" - pyramid type structures which are a complex prehistoric spiritual landscape but needing caution to interpret. Also on displays on its founder Thor Heyerdahl.

Dragon Hill

Immediately below the Uffington White Horse is the mysterious Dragon Hill. The general consensus is it is a natural hill - but could the top have been flattened in ancient times? Legend tells that it was here that St George slew the dragon and its blood splashed over the hill causing the bare chalk patch where no grass will ever grow.

Gubbeen megalithic tomb

A possible passage tomb in the townland of Gubbeen, Co. Cork. Prominently situated on the crest of the exposed rocky ridge of Knocknageeha, it consists of a ruined chamber formed of inclined slabs. Although recorded as a tomb of unknown classification. I would guess that this site is the remains of a passage tomb. Similar sites, on high ground overlooking the sea, are found in Co Cork and recorded as passage tombs; notably Killeen North (Peakean) on the Sheeps Head peninsula and Killickaforavane on Cape Clear island.

St Ruffin's Well (Tamworth)

Tan writes: You will not find water at St Ruffins Well in Tamworth these days, since the local council concreted over it. However here is a pic of what it looked like in the 1960s. St Ruffin was brother of St Wulfhad, both murdered in 665 AD by their father King Wulfhere owing to their conversion to Christianity.

Win: Stone Circles A Field Guide by Colin Richards and Vicki Cummings

Competition Closing Date is the end of Weds 11th September so be quick. Out Today - be one of the first with a copy of the brand new book Stone Circles A Field Guide by Colin Richards and Vicki Cummings, we have 2x copies to give away. Read on for competition details.

Lle'r Neuaddau

A lovely little circle with the same form as Dolgamfa and Hinant, both physically and geographically. There are 18 or 19 stones none higher than a foot. Rising ground to the north but amazing views to the south towards Hinant and further towards Dinas hill fort, and the Afon Rheidol squeezes itself prettily through a narrow gorge close by.

Langdean Bottom

There is also a possible stone avenue close by, Dooclay has posted a new page with a wider view here. Possible stone circle, or remains of a hut circle in Wiltshire. A very pleasant location reached after a 30-40 minute walk from Knap Hill which passes a number of barrows and crosses the Wansdyke. A steep climb down into Langdean Bottom is rewarded with excellent views of Furze Hill.