Brecken Hills

Date Added: 2nd Jul 2014
Site Type: Hillfort Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 13th Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: We know this site as 'Blue Crags Hillfort', rather than 'Brecken Hills', so both names are in use. The English Heritage Schedule describes Blue Crags Hillfort as a 'defended settlement of Iron Age/Romano-British date'. It makes excellent use of an existing outcrop of rock (whinstone, from the official records) as part of the defences, and there are very clear ramparts/defensive earthworks on the east, west and south sides of the site, with the main entrance appearing to be to the south west.

We originally went to look at the wells in Colwell (Pricky's well and Coley's Well), but spotted the extensive earthworks of the hillfort marked on the Ordnance Survey map just north west of Colwell, and went to take a look. Blue Crags is situated to the east of the course of Dere Street, with the A68 running between the hillfort and Dere Street.

There is a marked footpath running up to the fort from the west of Colwell, although the visible route vanishes when it reaches the field immediately south of the site, so we followed a vague track through the grass to a large barn which sits at the southern most edge of the hillfort.

The hillfort itself is impressively large and imposing as you walk up to it, as it sits on a hill above you. There is a further footpath that runs north west towards woodland, which would give a superb view of the fort and the outcrop on which it sits, but there were several large bulls, together with cows and their calves in this field, so we trod gingerly trying to get the best photographs from the area around the field entrance to illustrate the site.

On returning home, I logged onto the UK Grid Finder website. The aerial views show about 12 very clear hut circles on the platform of the fort. I will certainly go back in the autumn/early winter to have a closer look.

Houghton Camp, Heddon on the Hill

Date Added: 1st Jul 2014
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jul 2014. My rating: Condition 1 Ambience 2 Access 3

Log Text: Return visit on 1st July 2014: I obtained permission from Close House Golf Club to walk across the golf course to look at the settlement from the side furthest from the road. They told me that they are unable to do anything with this parcel of land 'because of the antiquities, but there isn't much to see' and were sure that the farmer they lease the land from would be happy for me to visit, having asked permission.
Parking was a problem again; I tried the field gates next to the road, but they were tied very firmly shut and the next gate to the field with the camp in hadn't been opened in a very long time, so to avoid climbing over, I parked at the Golfing Range and walked back towards the road over the golf course to the settlement - all slightly uphill, but very pleasant in the warm sunshine, and what views back over the Tyne Valley.
I confess to having been disappointed, as the banks and ditches weren't as clear from this side of the site as from the road. Having walked up to the eastern end of the camp, and to the highest point in this landscape adjacent to the field boundary, the yellow (parched) grasses gave a vague indication of where the banks were.
The aerial photographs of the camp show a very clear blunt-ended oval shape, and having driven along this road for many years to and from work, I am determined to have another look in the winter months to see if any structures become clearer.
A local lady told me the nearby farms are historic and are well worth a visit, having medieval features.
First visit on 18th June 2014: I was visiting Heddon-on-the-Wall today, to see the section of Hadrian's Wall at the east edge of the village, plus the ancient church of St Andrew's in the village centre, and spotted this settlement on the Portal.
I had to drive past several times and eventually managed to park in a field entrance. I did try driving down the entrance to Close House Golf Course/Hotel, to see if I could walk across the grounds to see the site from the south, but there was nowhere to stop at all.
The photograph on the Portal was very helpful in identifying the part of the field the settlement was in, as I struggled to separate the ditches/boundaries of the settlement from the works that had been done for the pylon on the east side, and the golf course on the west. Away from the field entrance, the hedges were too high (for me) to see over.
I have applied to the landowner for permission to walk across the fields to get closer to the settlement, to take photographs from a better angle, so will report back if I manage to get agreement, and re-visit this site (which is only a few miles from my house).

The Cockpit

Date Added: 1st Jul 2014
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Yes on 28th Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: Almost at the course of High Street Roman Road, there is a view of Ullswater from the footpath just below the Cock Pit Stone Circle.
As the circle is on a good footpath, most of the people stopped at the circle. It's always nice to see people appreciate ancient sites, but I had to wait quite a while to get take photographs without anyone else in it! We found a couple of the outlying stones, and identified a couple of cairns nearby, but couldn't get good enough photographs to make these out properly.
By standing just below the circle, on the main footpath, it's possible to make out the bank.
Well worth a visit, and the view of Ullswater and Pooley Bridge below was worth the easy walk.

White Raise Cairn

Date Added: 1st Jul 2014
Site Type: Cairn Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Yes on 28th Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: From the footpath leading from the Cop Stone to The Cockpit Stone Circle, this cairn lies after the Cairn Circle, on the right hand side of the footpath.
It initially appears unremarkable as a large mound with stones marking the extent of the cairn, but walking up the slope I came across the excavated burial chamber, which was a great surprise.
It's clearly a favourite with sheep, as the stones retain the heat from the sun, and they were unmoving as we wandering around.
There are great views across the valley towards Ullswater, although it's not quite possible to see the lake from the cairn.
Well worth a visit.

Aspers Field

Date Added: 1st Jul 2014
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Yes on 28th Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: This stone is within sight of the Googleby Stone, although a little more difficult to access. The gate to access the field is in Keld Lane, but it's difficult to park here, and we were wary about walking in private fields. There were some dog walkers from the nearby caravan park walking in the fields, so we took advantage of a tumbled stone wall to get a photograph of the cup and ring mark.
Having come home and found out the extent of the stone row at Shap, we'll be going back to see more.

Goggleby Stone

Date Added: 1st Jul 2014
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Yes on 28th Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: After failing to park along the narrow lanes around Keld, to see various stones in Shap Row, we finally parked outside the Fire Station on the A6 running through Shap, and followed the footpaths westward to the Googleby Stone and the partially toppled stone in Asper's Field.
This is a short walk, with a couple of stiles to cross, but easy enough.
I was impressed by the size of this stone, although we could discern no cup or ring marks anywhere on it.
I was a bit disappointed to see this stone had been concreted into place to keep it upright!

Cop Stone

Date Added: 1st Jul 2014
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Yes on 28th Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: For a long time we've wanted to walk along High Street, the Roman Road, but the scramble up from Ullswater side was too difficult for me. My husband managed to identify another route, via the B road through Askham and Helton, then following the track past Outgang Farm and Heltonhead. There were other cars parked on the grass at the side of the road, so we joined them, and walked the 100 yards up to Cop Stone.
This was just the start of our journey through this fascinating landscape; whilst there are obvious quarried area and shake holes, there are a wide variety of cairns and tumuli, with the footpath leading up past The Cockpit Stone Circle and High Street.
The more we looked, the more there was to see. Well worth a visit, and easy walking.

Goatstones Four-Poster

Date Added: 1st Jul 2014
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 30th Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: There are a couple of parking spaces next to 'Manor House' on Ward Lane, just below Ravensheugh Crags, and followed the footpath up to the crags, turning right up to the stone circle.
It is an easy walk, with spectacular views - the visibility was around 30 miles - we could see the Cheviot Hills in the distance.
The stones of this unusual four poster stone circle are low to the ground (with other outlying stones buried in the grass around?) but very atmospheric. It feels very remote, with very little noise apart from birdsong, although there is a steady (but small) stream of traffic along Ward Lane.
There are very definite cup marks on the eastern most stone, and other possible cups on the southern most stone (now partly toppled and hidden by marsh grass).
We met the farmer from Great Lonbrough, at the very end of the footpath, and he told us more about the hut circles and cairns in the fields below. We checked the Portal when we got home and were inspired by the photographs of the rock art at Goatstones, so we intend to go back and look again in the next few weeks and look at these, plus also walk along to Standingstone Rigg.
Will most definitely visit again.

Bygate Hill

Date Added: 23rd Jun 2014
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 22nd Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Having previously visited the site the weekend previously, we were put off from going in by alarms coming from within the plantation and a notice 'not to enter without the necessary authority' on the gate, so I sought the landowner's permission to enter. Bygate Hill Plantation houses a telecommunications mast (which apparently requires a permit to go near) and the landowner told me there are also regular paintballing activities carried out within the plantation.
There is a grassy track from the gate to the mast, with a small track running off to the right (just before the mast) through the trees which leads to the stone which stands in a small clearing.
The standing stone itself is impressive, and very atmospheric amidst the trees with the sunshine breaking through.
The land surface has clearly built up with all the leaf debris built up around the base of the stone, which also appears to have been propped up on one side by two smaller stones, to stop it leaning further.
There also appears to be a smaller buried (heel?) stone within a few yards of the main stone.
Had it not been for the trees, the site would command superb views of the surrounding land. We later walked up to West Bitchfield Peel Tower (grid reference: NZ 09081 77126) and looked back towards the plantation. The views were magnificent.
The landowner told me that Buddhist Monks from nearby Harnham Monastery regularly visit the stone and hang bells, and indeed there are charms and wind chimes on the trees surrounding the stone, and offerings placed on top of the stone.

Roughting Linn Rock Art

Date Added: 20th Jun 2014
Site Type: Rock Art Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 20th May 2014

Log Text: None

Middleton Standing Stone (Northumberland)

Date Added: 20th Jun 2014
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 27th May 2014

Log Text: None

Meg's Well, Aydon

Date Added: 20th Jun 2014
Site Type: Holy Well or Sacred Spring Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 28th May 2014

Log Text: None

Bow Bridge Homestead

Date Added: 20th Jun 2014
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 28th May 2014

Log Text: None

Grasmere Cup-Marked Rocks

Date Added: 20th Jun 2014
Site Type: Rock Art Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Yes on 2nd Jun 2014

Log Text: None

Sidwood Iron Age Settlement

Date Added: 20th Jun 2014
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 11th Jun 2014

Log Text: None

Warrior Stone (Ingoe)

Date Added: 16th Jun 2014
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 15th Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: We've visited Inghoe before, but to look at the remains of the medieval village and also the hut circles just beyond Sandyway Heads Farm.
Having just visited the Matfen Standing Stone, and having tried to visit the Bygate Hill site (which is a private plantation with a telecommunications mast and permission is needed to access the site), it was only a few more miles to the Warrior Stone. We parked just past the 'village green' (with a bus stop) and walked along the farm track. We were last here about 5 years ago, and the friendly farmer came out to tell us about the homestead in the field beyond the farm, showed us the cup and ring stone and quern stone by the gate to his cottage, and gave us permission to visit the Warrior Stone, which stands alone in a field just before the farm cottage. There was no-one around this time to ask permission, so I felt guilty about walking into his field.
There are beautiful views across the valley towards Matfen and Stamfordham, even though it was drizzly and misty.
A couple of web sites by local antiquarians describe cup marks on the stone, but I wasn't sure if we'd identified the right marks.
Will go back again when we've got blue skies to appreciate the site in all it's glory.

Matfen

Date Added: 16th Jun 2014
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 15th Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: This standing stone, near Matfen Hall Hotel/Golf Course, stands on the edge of a road in a hamlet called 'Standing Stone'. It is easy to find, being on a right hand turn just before the main entrance to Matfen Hall Golf Course, and opposite Standing Stone House, about 100 yards from the road junction.
It is difficult to park adjacent to the stone, unless you park in the entrance to the farm/farm buildings, but just opposite the road junction to Standing Stone hamlet, there is another left hand turn with room for a few cars to park at the side of the junction.
The short walk back to the stone was a little difficult, due to the stream of traffic and bicycles moving quickly along the road, but as long as you are careful, it's fine.
There are some impressive cup marks at the base of the north face of the stone, and some more at the top.
Worth seeing, and on the way to The Warrior Stone at Inghoe and Bygate Hill.

Swinburne Stone

Date Added: 15th Jun 2014
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 13th Jun 2014. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: We sought the landowner's permission prior to visiting the stone. We parked outside the Roman Catholic Church at Ox Hills, and walked back to the footpath leading firstly to Swinburne Castle, then splitting off to the left at a large tree to tumuli and the standing stone.
The footpath is easy walking. Almost immediately to the left are some impressive earthworks (possibly related to the original castle?) and some large terraces - much bigger than normal ridge and furrow ploughing. Websites from local historians say these may be medieval strip lynchets.
We first visited the tumuli just before a gate/field boundary crosses the path, before doubling back to the gate which allowed access to the field with the stone (there being sunken stone walls between the footpath and the field boundary, presumably allowing views of the stone from the upper floors of the castle (now private house).
The stone isn't visible from the footpath, but as soon as you top the brow of a small hill, the stone stands below you in the middle of the field.
The stone is impressive, being around 12 feet tall, and if the compass on my phone is correct (it switched 180 degrees several times during my visit) the wider faces are orientated north-north-west/south-south-east.
The southern face of the stone has some easily identifiable cup marks; generally there are quite a few initials carved into the stone.
There are also a couple of other tumuli, which are in private fields, but this is beautiful and peaceful part of the countryside, and we spent a very pleasant afternoon exploring.