Castle Hill (Whittonstall)

Trip No.16  Entry No.1  Date Added: 13th Apr 2017
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 12th Apr 2017. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: Castle Hill, between New Ridley and Whittonstall, Northumberland: This is only a couple of miles from our house, and being a lovely sunny evening, decided to try and find some of the earthworks on the OS map.

This site has the advantage of being close to Wheelbirks Farm with its café, unpasteurised milk and wonderful ice cream. Parking in the layby almost at the junction of the B6309 and the Lead Road, we walked along the busy main road for a couple of hundred yards until we reached the far end of the Castle Hill plantation. Here, the stone wall falls back from the road, and you can walk through to the brambles to the wall. An old gate (?) has been placed so the bars act as a ladder to climb over either into the plantation or the pastureland.

Standing at the stone wall, its possible to see the hump of the settlement with one accompanying outer ditch in front of you. Clambering over into the grassy field (didn't see anyone to ask - sorry), a quick walk along this corner of the field brought the whole of the settlement platform into view. It was much easier to see with the naked eye, rather than try and capture with the camera. Logging onto Pastscape when I got home, I was fascinated to read the history and interpretation of this very ordinary site. Obviously a lot more interesting in the past!

We did go on to Whittonstall to try to find the manorial earthworks not far from The Anchor pub, but these have all been ploughed out. We did carry on to Ebchester, near Newlands, where the line of Dere Street can be seen in the fields to the north east of the B6309. From the gate in the field near the layby almost opposite the junction with the road to Newlands, you can see a cross-section of the road. Interesting.

Three Howes Rigg (East)

Trip No.15  Entry No.2  Date Added: 11th Apr 2017
Site Type: Round Barrow(s) Country: England (Yorkshire (North))
Visited: Yes on 9th Apr 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: Three Howes Rigg (East), Smeathorns Road, North Yorkshire: Having stopped at White Cross and Three Howes Rigg (West) first, and having 'got our eye in', these barrows rise from the surrounding ground on access land. On the eastern side of Smeathorns Road, and clearly visible on UK Grid Finder, tramping across the heather moorland was easy on the feet.

Now largely used to feed the grouse (full feeding dishes on the tops of these barrows), they diminish in height from the north to the south. There is a fourth mound to the east of the middle barrow, but this looks more like a farmer's spoil heap rather than a barrow, and I couldn't find any reference to it on Pastscape or Historic England.

Looking at the map, there are so many barrows, crosses and other features around here, I'd like to spend more time in this area.

Three Howes Rigg (West)

Trip No.15  Entry No.2  Date Added: 11th Apr 2017
Site Type: Round Barrow(s) Country: England (Yorkshire (North))
Visited: Yes on 9th Apr 2017. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: Three Howes Rigg (West), Smeathorns Road, North Yorkshire: Despite being called ‘Three Howes’, there are actual 5 barrows in total! It would be easy to whizz by these barrows, as they appear as slight mounds at the top of the ridge. With cars speeding by at a good 60mph or so, it’s difficult to slow down and park, but there is a space between the two barrows on the western side of the road, flanked by large boulders to protect the fourth and fifth barrows.

Once identified, they are obvious in the landscape. Having first stopped at White Cross some 500 metres to the north, being on access land, we tramped over the heather and moorland to take a closer look.

We started with the two barrows to the west of the road and worked our way northwards. The northern-most has been cut slightly by the road to its eastern side; the southern-most was heavily covered in calf-high bracken. We missed the inscribed stone in the middle of this one, but the carving seems to be relatively modern, looking at the Historic England entry.

Millennium Stone Danby High Moor

Trip No.15  Entry No.3  Date Added: 10th Apr 2017
Site Type: Modern Stone Circle etc Country: England (Yorkshire (North))
Visited: Yes on 9th Apr 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: The Millennium Stone, Danby High Moor, North Yorkshire: Driving at a sedate pace along the moorland road from Wolf Pit Tumulus (which I realised as we got a phone signal back, that we’d picked up the wrong monument), I was really surprised to see what looked like a large standing stone at the junction of Knott Road. Immediately to our left was a small car park with an interpretation board (which didn’t mention this stone), and I spent a good half hour on the internet at home trying to find anything at all about it, which was a brief mention on the Hidden Teesside web site.

Getting out of the car to look more closely at this stone, my fleece and camera were almost blown away by the wind. The temperature had dropped from high teens to single figures in a very short while. I was glad to get back into the car, but pleased to have 'discovered' a stone not (yet) on the map! Next stop was the second 'White Cross' of the day - later discovered to be called 'Fat Betty'.

Young Ralph Cross

Trip No.15  Entry No.5  Date Added: 10th Apr 2017
Site Type: Ancient Cross Country: England (Yorkshire (North))
Visited: Yes on 9th Apr 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 5

Log Text: Young Ralph Cross, Ledging Hill, North Yorkshire: Just down the road from Fat Betty Cross/White Cross, Young Ralph’s Cross sits almost opposite the road junction of the minor road (Knott Road) to Rosedale and the road northwards across Castleton Rigg to Castleton.

Turning right at the road junction, we parked on the minor road leading north west towards Westerdale. This road was very busy, and traffic moved very fast. Whilst standing at Fat Betty, I heard several cars sounding their horns at each other.

From a distance, this cross looks as if it is made out of concerete, but the Historic England entry says this wayside cross possibly dates from the 11th century. The cross base looks much, much older than the shaft and head.

The Historic England entry talks about much weathered interlace ornament and cable moulded border. I couldn’t see any of this, perhaps put off a closer look by the biting wind and cold.

I was keen to try and find the Old Ralph Cross, but by this time it was late, we were cold and it was time to head off home. There is so much to see in this area, it would be well worth a repeat visit.

White Cross (Three Howes Rigg)

Trip No.15  Entry No.1  Date Added: 10th Apr 2017
Site Type: Marker Stone Country: England (Yorkshire (North))
Visited: Yes on 9th Apr 2017. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 2 Access 5

Log Text: White Cross, Three Howes Rigg, North Yorkshire: Approaching the Three Howes Tumuli on Smeathorns Road, we spotted this "White Cross" marked on the map at the road junction with Commondale Village. Stopping and running across the road in between the fast moving traffic, I took some photographs. This cross is listed by Historic England as entry 1250385, and is described as an "early to mid-C19 boundary stone on medieval base of wayside cross." The views across the National Park to the west would have been spectacular but for mist.

Fat Betty

Trip No.15  Entry No.4  Date Added: 10th Apr 2017
Site Type: Ancient Cross Country: England (Yorkshire (North))
Visited: Yes on 9th Apr 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 5

Log Text: Fat Betty's Cross, Danby High Moor, North Yorkshire: From Wolf Pit Tumulus, carrying on down the road (New Way) over Danby High Moor, past the curiously named Lower Fryup Dale to the east, then over Seavey Hill, passing by the modern standing stone (Millennium Stone) at NZ 69699 01296, we turned west towards Rosedale Head. Where the Esk Valley Way crosses this road, there is a small, squat White Cross located to the north. Just a few metres up the Esk Valley Way footpath, stepping over a muddy ditch, we got the full force of the wind sweeping across this moorland. From a leisurely, warm lunch in Castleton an hour earlier, the temperature had dropped considerably, and I wished I’d brought a warmer coat!

The head of the cross bears four small circles on both sides, reminiscent of Anglo Saxon cross heads. There is considerable graffiti on the stone, together with offerings (see image of money at bottom of cross head).

Just over the road is Young Ralph’s Cross.

Bell Mount

Trip No.14  Entry No.1  Date Added: 3rd Apr 2017
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Yes on 25th Mar 2017. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: Bell Mount Erratic (or standing stone?): Saw this very briefly on our first visit to Newbeggin, but whizzed by in the car and didn't stop. This time, we parked by the open gate to the field. There being no stock, we took the chance to walk up the grassy slope to see this stone. Whilst it's not marked on the OS map (neither is the Sewborwens stone not far away), it showed distinct striations on one of the surfaces indicating it had lain prone at some point and been stood up. My geology isn't good enough to tell it the marks were as a result of glaciation or the plough, although the stone seemed to be set into a slight depression which was even all round, and didn't look like stock had been rubbing around it. Note to self: need to check geology of the area.

Four Stones Hill Standing Stones

Trip No.15  Entry No.3  Date Added: 3rd Apr 2017
Site Type: Standing Stones Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Couldn't find on 2nd Apr 2017. My rating: Access 3

Log Text: Four Stones Hill, Haweswater: Ashamed to say I was defeated by the large stiles with big drops and missing steps. Was so looking forward to going to see this site and from Google Earth, it seemed possible for me to walk this route. Did look for gates in the fields to avoid the stiles, but up by Lower Drybarrows, couldn't find any entry/exits; the one there was said very clearly "no public right of way". Perhaps I should have ignored those and tramped through the fields anyway, but it would have left me feeling guilty. Will try again. Note to self: parking was very difficult up by Winder Hill. Needed to wedge the car in besides a stone wall to leave ready access to the fields.

The Galloway Stone

Trip No.15  Entry No.2  Date Added: 3rd Apr 2017
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Yes on 2nd Apr 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 2 Access 5

Log Text: The Galloway Stone, near Orton, Cumbria: Spotted this named stone on the map as we drove towards Orton to find refreshments. There were many other large (but not quite as large as this) stones in the vicinity. With the M6 Northbound carriageway almost immediately behind, and above, this stone, I could have been forgiven for thinking this was left over from building the motorway.

In close up, the stone is clearly pink Shap granite, and had a red tint in the sunlight. A big surprise was find the bench mark with its large rivet on top of the stone.

Shapbeck Plantation

Trip No.15  Entry No.1  Date Added: 3rd Apr 2017
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Yes on 2nd Apr 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Shapbeck Plantation Stone Circle: Our first stop of the day, whizzing off the M6 southbound at Eamont Bridge and travelling on the A6 through Clifton & Hackthorpe to Shapbeck Gate. There, a side road leads to a bridge across the River Leith, but there was no parking to be had. We turned back northwards up the A6 and parked in a layby some ¼ mile north of the footpath leading up to Shapbeck Plantation. We took our lives in our hands walking back to the footpath, with cars and motorbikes travelling fast along the road, and the verge was lumpy and bumpy and difficult to walk along.

Finally reaching the footpath, almost opposite the road leading to Southfield and Stonygill Bridge, we turned west over the fields towards Shapbeck Plantation, I was glad I had worn my wellies, as the gates into the fields were deep in muddy water. Careful of the stock in the first field, we crossed through the gate into a second field, where the footpath vanished – it had been ploughed out. Following the dry stone wall line up the hill towards the plantation, it was only when we had almost reached the top of the field that a fenced off area to the northern side of the field came into view.

Walking towards this, it was clear the farmer had been using this area as a dump for old metal items and other stones, although an inner and outer circle were clearly visible. It looked as if the circle had been built on a slight mound, with a ditch around the outside. At this time of year, there wasn't much vegetation, so it was possible to see lots of the stones.

Without the plantation, there would have been views 360 degrees around the site. Even today, this area was busy, busy, busy, with the A6, M6 and West Coast railway all intersecting and intermingling in the valley below. Walking across the fields, many of the smaller stones poking out of the earth had a very distinctly green tinge.

Definitely worth braving the traffic to visit this site.

Winderwath Stone Circle

Trip No.13  Entry No.4  Date Added: 28th Mar 2017
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: England (Cumbria)
Visited: Yes on 25th Mar 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 5

Log Text: Winderwath Stone Circle, Penrith: After our 'stone hunt' around Newbeggin and Newton Reigny, by this time it was gone 5pm and there was no hope of getting to Haweswater to look at the standing stones on Four Stones Hill before dark, so we set off to Winderwath. The Visit Cumbria website says in its entry for Winderwath Gardens: "There used to be a stone circle in the field adjacent to the lane that leads down to Winderwath, which was destroyed. Its stones were thrown into the River Eden nearby, except two – one stone remains standing by the lane, and a further stone lies behind the hedge, at the edge of the field." Note: this site is not included on the list of stone circles @ Photographer’s Resource and I could find no other reference to it on the web.

Sited on the minor road to Winderwath Gardens, it was interesting to find this tiny little turn off the A66 east. From Penrith, go passed the entrance to Centre Parks on the opposite side of the road and take the first road to your left, signposted to Culgaith. Following this little road which takes you past Woodside, Low Woodside and Winderwath Farm before taking a left to Winderwath Gardens, we’ve never seen so many rabbits scuttling about across the road and in the fields.
These stones are on the right hand side of the road as you drive down towards the gardens, about half way down the drive. This is again in a lovely valley, but being in an estate, it looks as if the ground has been heavily improved and levelled.

After having found the first stone, which seemed to have a couple of worn single cup marks in 2 of the faces (quite distinctive from the weathering patterns on the top of the stone), we peered over the hedge to find the second stone. It appears the tree in the fenceline is sitting on top of a few other smaller stones. The second, larger stone can hardly be seen from the driveway, so we found a gate in the top end of the field and quickly ran down to take a look. If someone had been around, we would have asked nicely.

Alnham

Trip No.12  Entry No.1  Date Added: 7th Mar 2017
Site Type: Ancient Cross Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 5th Mar 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 5

Log Text: Alnham, Northumberland. Ancient cross bases: From the A697, we turned left through the pretty little village of Whittingham. The road to the west of the village runs by the meandering course of the (at this point small) River Aln. Just past the village, we turned right onto the minor road leading through Eslington Park and Unthank, the road meandering through minor, muddy single track lanes to Alnham village. Taking the right hand fork (signposted as a dead end road, which it is – eventually), we drove up to the pretty little church.


This is a very remote spot indeed. Opposite the church, you can see the lumps and bumps of the deserted medieval village and the hump of what used to be Alnham Castle. Next to the church is a pele house/tower house, which is lived in. To the far side (from the church) is a footpath which runs up the side of the tower house; this is unusual in that the footpath runs through a small ford.


We had missed the monthly service, which had taken place that morning, but there were signs that other cars had parked on the grass verge outside the church. The lych gate leans into the tall trees either side of it, and the church has a long-deserted air, although candles were still burning on the window ledges inside.


Walking round the churchyard (with its electrified fence to keep any sheep from rubbing against the stone walls) we searched for the cross bases, but found none until we turned to go out of the church, and there they were – one on either side of the lych gate, with a third to the west by the wall.


This church is Grade 1 listed. There were many leaflets about the local countryside and walks, but no church guide. The British Listed Buildings and Wikipedia mention that the church was built on the site of a Roman fortlet, and originally dates from 1135, although because of the ancient cross bases, they think an earlier church existed on this site. Within the porch there is a carved fragment of a rectangular cross shaft, but the carving looks modern.


From the church, we headed further up the hillside to Castlehill Fort and Settlement.

Castle Hill (Northumberland)

Trip No.12  Entry No.2  Date Added: 7th Mar 2017
Site Type: Hillfort Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 5th Mar 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Castle Hill Fort & Settlement, near Alnham, Northumberland: From St Michael & All Saints (Alnham) and its location next to the trickling River Aln, we headed further up the winding (almost harepin at a couple of points) narrow, single track road climbing up the hill to Castle Hill Fort and Settlement. At the top of the hill, there is a cottage located just below the lea of the hill. Just past this is a cattle grid and a footpath sign leading to the west and the fort. There is room for one car to park just before the cattle grid, where the ground is relatively firm.


Nothing can be seen of the fort at this point, but going through the gate and climbing up the gentle hill, following the line of what seems to be an old stone wall, the low lines of grass covered banks (the boundary lines of old enclosures?) comes into view. The ground then climbs a little more steeply, as you walk onto the first outer bank. Then the outlines of banks and ditches comes into view, together with the ghost of a round house immediately in front of you. There’s nobody here, not even sheep.


The early spring sun was low in the sky, making the contrast between the height of the outer defensive bank with its protruding line of stones, looking steeply down to the north west and Spartley Burn, its waters sparkling in the sunlight. To the east is Hazeltonrig Burn.


We walked all round the outer bank. Two banks and ditches to the north and east, becoming three to the west. Well worth a visit. I just wish I’d brought the notes with me to help interpret what I was seeing.


From Castle Hill, we set off towards Biddlestone, making our way back into Alnham, driving back down through Scrainwood, through Biddlestone Town Foot to Biddlestone. This road is gated, and very muddy. The road twists and turns, and a couple of times we almost went off down farm tracks rather than the road. Very remote. Very lovely.

Biddlestone

Trip No.12  Entry No.3  Date Added: 7th Mar 2017
Site Type: Ancient Cross Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 5th Mar 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: The Biddle Stones, Northumberland: From Castle Hill, Alnham, we returned to Alnham Village and took the minor road towards Biddlestone. Also a cycle route, the road was gated and very muddy. Being twisty and with numerous side roads joining, it was sometimes a little difficult to keep to the main road!. Nevertheless, we ended up at the entrance to Biddlestone Chapel, where the gate up the track was shut. We parked by the entrance and walked up the hill. The chapel was closed, but a list of keyholders is given on the noticeboard at the entrance to the track.


Having no real clue as to where the Biddle Stones were, we came upon them half way up the track to the chapel on the left hand side of the track. One is definitely a socket for a cross; the other has been paired with it.


We walked up to the chapel. The chapel is strange, being in a defensive position, with a ravine to its north, with a drop of some 60 to 70 feet down to the stream below. To the south looks like a building platform of some kind The numerous mole hills had brought up lots of small pieces of brick, so something had been demolished.


There was a lovely view over to the Netherton Burn valley below, with a farmer and his three dogs herding a flock of beautifully cream, fat sheep. No sign of the stone circle by the burn from here.

The Portsburgh Stone

Trip No.11  Entry No.1  Date Added: 2nd Mar 2017
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature Country: Scotland (Midlothian)
Visited: Yes on 20th Feb 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: Portsburgh Stone, Natural Erratic, Edinburgh: Intrigued by the 'no photograph' of this site in the heart of Edinburgh, I determined to find it, although we did mis-interpret the location published in the Portal text and walked in a couple of decreasing circles! The actual grid reference is NT 25283 73276, the West Port Garden (or Geddes Garden).

A notice on the padlocked gate to the garden told us that the garden was only open on Sundays, so I had to stand looking over the iron railings to try and get the best photographs I could of the stone.

Couldn’t spot any other erratics in the adjacent walls. Located the old Salvation Army building, and also walked around the nearby Art School buildings, but didn’t see anything. The Vennel, with its many steps, was very interesting to walk up.

St Anthony's Well (Edinburgh)

Trip No.11  Entry No.5  Date Added: 26th Feb 2017
Site Type: Holy Well or Sacred Spring Country: Scotland (Midlothian)
Visited: Yes on 20th Feb 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: St Anthony's Well, Holyrood, Edinburgh: Located some 400 metres east south east from St. Margaret’s Well, the paths lead up the hill away from Arthur’s Seat, up to St. Anthony’s Chapel. Where the paths going up the hill divide (the left hand fork leading to the cave and chapel, the right continuing up the hill), there appears to be a large boulder about 100 yards up the right hand path. This is actually the well. From the base of the boulder a lead pipe protrudes into a stone basin. There was no water flowing. Again heavily graffitied and littered; the friend I was with described it as a 'Neolithic toilet'!

St Margaret's Well (Edinburgh)

Trip No.11  Entry No.4  Date Added: 26th Feb 2017
Site Type: Holy Well or Sacred Spring Country: Scotland (Midlothian)
Visited: Yes on 20th Feb 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: St Margaret's Well, Holyrood, Edinburgh: Located just off Queen’s Drive in Holyrood, near Dynamic Earth, and 400 metres from St. Anthony’s Well, this well house can be seen from the road.


I had to photo-shop out the pile of rubbish that had gathered at the base of the well (disgusting!). There was a good flow of water out of the pipe inside the well house, although it was impossible to get a photograph of this there was a black heavy metal grill covering it.


I came across a reference on Pixyledpublications telling me “the spring itself is a holy well, called The Well of the Holy Rood or St. David’s Well and dates from 1198, the well head was re-erected from St. Margaret’s Well at Restalrig ….. legend has it that King David after mass decided to go hunting in the area and was thrown from his horse by a giant stag which then carried the king, stopping at the spring. In thanks for his deliverance, he built the Abbey of Holyrood there …. (the well house) has an internal width of six feet by five feet in height with a central pier with a carved head which is provided with a spout.”


The well house bears a plaque which reads: “This unique Well House dates from the late 15th Century. It originally stood at Restalrig, close to the Church, and its design is a miniature copy of St. Triduana’s Aisle there. In 1860 it was removed from its first site, which was then encroached upon by a railway depot, and was reconstructed in its present position near a natural spring.”

Ravenswood Avenue

Trip No.11  Entry No.3  Date Added: 26th Feb 2017
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: Scotland (Midlothian)
Visited: Yes on 20th Feb 2017. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 2 Access 4

Log Text: Ravenswood Avenue Standing Stone, Edinburgh: Our third stop of the day, and another ‘not impressive’ one. Definitely not in situ, at the end of a heavily parked-up cul-de-sac, outside a small block of flat, protected by a tall circular iron railing.


I was glad to escape from this site – it felt very depressing and I surprised not to see any graffiti on the stone. One source I’d seen said there were a couple of cup marks, but I could only see any, only natural weathering and what looked like a heavily worn quarry mark.

Cat Stane (Inch)

Trip No.11  Entry No.2  Date Added: 26th Feb 2017
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: Scotland (Midlothian)
Visited: Yes on 20th Feb 2017. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 2 Access 5

Log Text: Cat Stane (Inch), Standing Stone, Edinburgh: Also known as the Liberton Road / Gilmerton Road Standing Stone, this stone has obviously been relocated next to what appears to be the rear entrance of Inch View nursing home, off Gilmerton Road, next to Inch Park. Driving into the complex from Gilmerton Road, there is a circular car park in front of you. Immediately to 12 o’clock of this circle is a small access road to (the rear?) of Inch View Care Home for the Elderly. Just before a small wooden hut, the stone is located in a small rectangle of grass, surrounded by a knee high metal railing.


This area appeared to be a garden, so I started to take some quick photos, only to be challenged (quite rightly!) by one of the nurses who shot out to talk to us. She explained for security reasons, they needed to be vigilant for visitors. Having explained what we were doing, she told us some of the history of the surrounding area, particularly relevant to fans of Sir Walter Scott and Mary Queen of Scots.


Not in an impressive location, this stone could easily be mistaken for a large garden ornament, but worth seeing whilst in the area. I spotted some quarry marks in the face facing the building.