<< Our Photo Pages >> Arthur's Stone - Chambered Tomb in England in Herefordshire

Submitted by Andy B on Saturday, 13 July 2024  Page Views: 48970

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Arthur's Stone
Country: England County: Herefordshire Type: Chambered Tomb
Nearest Town: Hay-on-Wye  Nearest Village: Dorstone
Map Ref: SO3188843124  Landranger Map Number: 148
Latitude: 52.082263N  Longitude: 2.995375W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 3 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 5

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External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

Martin_L woodini254 coldrum 43559959 would like to visit

kilmoryjay visited on 28th Dec 2024 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 4 Access: 5

30081978 visited on 1st Apr 2023 - their rating: Amb: 3 Access: 5

Chrus visited on 10th Sep 2022 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5

bluebirdo visited on 17th Apr 2022 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5

Anne T visited on 13th Jul 2021 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4 Arthur's Stone: This was a really weird visit. No sooner had we parked in the small layby next to the stone's enclosure, and I'd started to take photographs, than a lady walked along the lane, right into the enclosure, sat down and started to have a picnic, so she was prominent in all the photographs. I was absolutely gobsmacked! I plucked up the courage to ask her to move whilst I finished taking photographs, which she very kindly (but reluctantly) did, to the railing of the enclosure. Feeling somewhat guilty, I started talking to her, and it turned out she was an archaeologist who had come up to join a party of university students in a dig. A pleasant enough chat, but left me feeling uneasy that people would act that this (but then perhaps that's just me), and sort of ruined the visit for me.

MercuryMars visited on 17th Oct 2020 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5

Brian_Eyes visited on 29th Jul 2020 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5

kith visited on 4th Jun 2019 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5 Interesting Chambered Tomb on the roadside. Appears to have worked markings on a number of surfaces with an interesting angled access passage connected to the now exposed main structure.

markj99 visited on 25th Aug 2014 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 3 Access: 5 There is no logical reason that the amount of effort required to reach a site should affect your interpretation of the site. However I have found that I undervalue sites adjacent to the roadside in comparison with sites in the middle of nowhere. That said, the remains of Arthur's Stone are quite impressive.

NickyD visited on 1st Sep 2013 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5

4clydesdale7 visited on 31st May 2013 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5 This site has to be very high on anyone's 'to visit' list

graemefield visited on 6th Jun 2009 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 5

wildtalents visited on 1st Jul 2001 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5 After a bit of a struggle with map reading, we fluked finding the site, and could park just yards away on the layby. It's a marvellous place and the cracked capstone adds to the marvellousness, in an odd way. Fantastic views across the Golden Valley and definitely a site I'd like to return to. There's a clearly defined passageway/crawl-space to one side leading to the dolmen.

FrothNinja visited on 1st Jun 1987 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 4 Access: 5

coin visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 3 Access: 5

Geojazz DrewParsons jeniferj hamish mrcrow have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.36 Ambience: 4.07 Access: 4.93

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Anne T : Photo from the western side of the monument. Historic England List ID 1010720 tells us this is: "(the) exposed, stone lined, entrance passage from the north west edge of the barrow. This is formed by nine stones arranged to form a linear passage 0.8m wide. It runs for 5m approximately east to west before turning at right angles to the south for 2.9m". (Vote or comment on this photo)
The remains of a Neolithic chambered tomb. The name comes from the legend of King Arthur. Various legends recount tales of a king, or giant killed by King Arthur buried here. Another claims this to be the burial place of the man himself!

A large capstone is supported by nine uprights, and the foundations of a 4.6m long entrance passageway can be seen.

To the south is a stone known as the Quoit Stone bearing small man-made cup marks, again legend tells of Arthur's elbows as he prayed, or a giant's as he fell.

Worth visiting on the way to the bookshops of Hay-on-Wye, where you are guaranteed to find a book on virtually any subject

For more information see Historic England List ID 1010720. Pastscape features two entries for this site - see Monument No. 106083, which records this Neolithic chambered tomb. Pastscape">http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1524519">Pastscape Monument No. 1524519 talks about a large stone "just visible in the ditch across the road from the chamber, known locally as Arthur's Stone … its function and the nature of its relationship to the burial chamber are uncertain".

The Journal of Antiquities also features a page for this site - see their entry for Arthur’s Stone, Dorstone, Herefordshire, which includes photographs, a description and mention of the Quoit Stone (see Pastscape Monument 1524519 above).

Access: Signposted from the B4348, 8km east of Hay-on-Wye.

Hamish Fenton has now created over 100 3D models of archaeological sites, crafted through painstaking photogrammetry: megalithic and rock art sites, brochs, cross slabs. See lower down our page for his amazing model of Arthur's Stone

The 2021 excavations by the Universities of Manchester and Cardiff revealed that Arthur's Stone was once part of a much larger ceremonial landscape than previously thought, including a long mound thought to point towards Dorstone Hill, more in the comments below.

2022 excavation update in the comments below on our page. The Guardian article mentions the alignment with the Skirrid holy mountain to the south, which Angie Lake captured here in 2011.

Note: Possible stone circle find near Arthur's Stone, and tours of the excavations running all July, more in the comments on our page
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Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Adam Stanford : Taken during recent work to investigate the full extent of the covering mound for this monument. Cheers AS. (3 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Sunny100 : Arthur's Stone near Hay on Wye. A photo taken in the 1970s during what was one of those very hot, dry Summer's. Sorry about the site being a bit of centre - i was not using a very good camera at that time. (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Anne T : Standing just south of the monument looking northwards towards Arthur's Stone Lane. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by cerrig : This Polish family really enjoyed their visit to this monument, especially the kids! (Vote or comment on this photo)

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Sunny100 : Arthur's Stone near Hay on Wye. A photo taken in the 1970s. I was trying to get under the burial chamber to take a snap, so it looks a bit odd to say the least. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Orpbit : View from in front of the false portal. The broken slab on the ground is a section split off from the capstone - originally some 25 tons.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by DrewParsons : The passage. September 2011.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by AngieLake : Looking across the site with the stone that might have blocked the 'false entrance' of the horned forecourt in the foreground. (2 comments)

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by SolarMegalith : Arthur's Stone - chambered tomb near Hay-on-Wye, the most significant megalithic monument in northern part of Black Mountains (photo taken on July 2008).

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Sunny100 : An off centre photo of Arthur's Stone near Hay on Wye taken in the 1970s. Apologies for not getting it in the centre, but it's a nice colourful scene on a hot Summer's day.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by wildtalents : (8 comments)

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Humbucker : The burial chamber of Arthurs Stone.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Anne T : Photo showing the upright slab at the south-eastern end of the tomb, along with a second slab to its right hand side, now fallen, with a view into the chamber. I tried to persuade my husband to go inside the chamber (and look for previously unknown rock art (hamishfenton@ Kilmartin)) but he found nothing.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Anne T : Taken from the just inside the wooden railing, looking west across to Arthur's Stone Lane (centre/left of photo). (1 comment)

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Bladup : Arthur's Stone Chambered Cairn.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by NickyD : Arthur's stone taken just after a storm Image copyright: stonesearcher, hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by Bladup : Arthur's Stone chambered cairn.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by postman : Late in the day. (6 comments)

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by DrewParsons : The main chamber. September 2011.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by DrewParsons : View of the capstone with the false entrance in the foreground. September 2011.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by DrewParsons : View showing the broken capstone. September 2011.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by virtualuser : Arthur's Stone, Herefordshire England. The remains of a late Neolithic chambered tomb dating from between 3700BC and 2700BC

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by AngieLake : Looking towards the stones from the inner end of the side passage.

Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone submitted by AngieLake : The capstone looks huge from this angle.

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Re: Arthur's Stone - Mural on wall in Hereford. by AngieLake on Monday, 19 August 2024
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I'm hoping this link will work. The mural showing Arthur's Stone looks beautiful.
It comes from Facebook group "Britain in detail: quirk, charm and craft in the built environment". Posted by Dawn Waterfield on 12th August 24.

www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=7835122519889921&set=gm.1580369035851391&idorvanity=334776287077345
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Possible stone circle find near Arthur's Stone by Andy B on Saturday, 13 July 2024
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Archaeologists excavating the area around the historic stone believe a man-made ring of stones, known as a stone circle, may have been found at the site. Arthur's Stone in Dorstone, Herefordshire, is said to mark the spot where King Arthur slew a giant.

Professor of archaeology at The University of Manchester Julian Thomas said a survey had shown up a circle about 20m (65.6ft) across that seemed to "not be of natural origin".

Prof Thomas said when work started at Arthur's Stone, a trench was opened up "the other side of the hedge from the monument".

He added: "[We] found that there are further prehistoric features there, so we've got an avenue which starts out as an avenue of timbers and is replaced by an avenue of stones.

"[This] runs down the hill from the monument itself and as a response to that, we conducted further surveys."

Prof Thomas said one thing it showed up was a circle, which "looks like it's perhaps a barrow or a timber circle or a stone circle".

But it was "certainly something made by human beings" and about half of that was now being opened up, with a stone circle thought to be the most likely outcome.

There were plenty of stone circles in Scotland and Wales, but "not so many" in Herefordshire and the West Midlands, he said, "so it would be a really exciting find if we've got one here".

Tours around Arthur's Stone will take place over the coming weeks for people wanting to see this year's excavations.

More at www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjqeyv5qnyeo
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Re: Arthur's Stone by hauraki on Sunday, 31 July 2022
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Here's a 3D model of Arthur's Stone at Sketchfab that I created a couple of years ago.

Since drones aren't allowed without permission, due to it being an English Heritage site, all images were captured using a Sony a6300 at ground level, and on top of a 10m pole!
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Arthur's Stone alignment with the Skirrid holy mountain by Andy B on Sunday, 24 July 2022
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An article on Arthur's Stone for 2011 from a druidic perspective
http://hedgedruid.co.uk/2011/09/arthurs-stone-initiation-and-concepts-of-arthur/

Also interesting as he references Angie Lake's observation from 2011: "I found that the forecourt of the dolmen was orientated towards this prominent peak to the south. Apparently it is Skirrid Fawr - 'the sacred mountain'. Maybe its legend went back a very long way?"
https://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=78199&orderby=

This alignment was mentioned in the recent Guardian article
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jul/22/weird-wonderful-rare-dig-at-arthurs-stone-writes-new-story-of-neolithic-site

It reads like this came from Julian Thomas the dig director. Another example of earth mysteries ideas drifting into mainstream archaeology...
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    Re: Arthur's Stone alignment with the Skirrid holy mountain by AngieLake on Sunday, 24 July 2022
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    That's interesting to read that another dowser got a similar result at Arthur's Stone. I'd been there in 2011, and pleased to meet Adam Stanford of Aerial-Cam fame at the site. I'd dowsed the extent of the mound back into the field across the road, while he watched me, as well as the forecourt outline earlier. We didn't have time for the usual processional route dowsing, as my friend and I were en route to N.Wales if I remember correctly.

    At all sites I notice significant features in the landscape and try to put myself into the mind-set of those ancient builders. I don't see the link with a mammoth when looking at Skirrid Fawr, but am sure the unusual pointed shape of it would inspire awe in most people. Sugarloaf mountain isn't far away from it in the landscape, and there are probably megalithic sites that focus on that one too.
    Glastonbury Tor is revered, again a similar sight in the landscape, and in Devon we have Brentor, which is another 'magical' place.
    Irrespective if these also align with a significant seasonal celebration/festival of the sun, moon or stars or not, I'm sure the ancient people would have looked at them in wonder. Maybe they also went on pilgrimages to them?
    [ Reply to This ]

Arthur's Stone Excavations 2022 by Andy B on Sunday, 24 July 2022
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If you can get over the slightly irritating presentation here's a video about the recent excavations.

https://youtu.be/7aPb9i1vEa4?t=233



and another one here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81V9cWnw8oo
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Re: Arthur's Stone Excavations 2022 by AngieLake on Monday, 04 July 2022
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Another article about Arthur's Stone excavations here in Daily Mail online:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10979955/Archaeologists-carry-dig-King-Arthurs-tomb.html
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Re: Arthur's Stone Discoveries by AngieLake on Monday, 16 August 2021
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Just noticed this article in Daily Mail online tonight:

It includes some photos and diagrams, including the excavation nearby.

The mysterious origins of Arthur's Stone — a Neolithic monument that inspired the 'stone table' in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe — have finally been discovered by archaeologists. They said the imposing Stone Age tomb was once part of a much larger ceremonial landscape than previously thought.

It is linked to two 6,000-year-old 'halls of the dead' that were hailed as 'the discovery of a lifetime' when they were unearthed in Herefordshire in 2013. This is the first time Arthur's Stone, which dates back to 3,700BC and is located on a hilltop outside the village of Dorstone, has been properly excavated.

Archaeologists always thought that Arthur's Stone's massive capstone, raised on a series of supporting stones and lesser chamber with a right-angled passage, had stood within a wedge-shaped stone cairn, similar to those found in the Cotswolds and south Wales.

But an excavation by the Universities of Manchester and Cardiff has now revealed it originally extended into a field immediately to the south of the tomb. When the tomb was first built, archaeologists say it was probably covered in a mound of compressed turf, with a series of posts to hold it in place.

This long mound stretched into the nearby field, but rot caused it to collapse over time. The mound was then rebuilt with a slightly different orientation.

Professors Julian Thomas, from Manchester University, and Keith Ray, from Cardiff University, said the first mound likely faced Dorstone Hill, while the second pointed to an area between Skirrid Hill and Garway Hill to the south-east. The mound is estimated to be at least 98ft (30m) long, while the entire ceremonial landscape extends over an area more than 1,093 yards (1km) across.

More at Mail Online
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9897977/Origins-Arthurs-Stone-revealed-archaeologists.html

from this Manchester University Press release

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/archaeologists-reveal-origins-of-famous-stone-age-monument/
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    Archaeologists reveal origins of famous Stone Age monument by Andy B on Tuesday, 17 August 2021
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    Archaeologists from the Universities of Manchester and Cardiff have discovered the origins of Arthur’s Stone, one of the UK’s most famous Stone Age monuments.

    Manchester’s Professor Julian Thomas, who led the excavation, says the imposing Herefordshire tomb is linked to nearby ‘halls of the dead’, which were discovered in 2013 by a team led by Professor Thomas.

    It is the first time the construction - which inspired the ‘stone table’ in C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - has been properly excavated.

    Dating to the Neolithic period in 3700BC, Arthur’s Stone is located on a lonely hilltop outside of the village of Dorstone, facing the Black Mountains in south Wales.

    Archaeologists always assumed that its massive capstone raised on a series of supporting stones and lesser chamber with a right-angled passage had stood within a wedge-shaped stone cairn, similar to those found in the Cotswolds and South Wales. However, Professor Thomas and Cardiff’s Prof Keith Ray showed the monument originally extended into a field immediately to the south of the tomb.

    Arthur’s Stone is a scheduled monument cared for by English Heritage. The excavations took place in an area to the south of the burial chamber, outside of the area of guardianship.

    They found that the tomb had first been a long mound composed of stacked turf, retained by a palisade of upright posts set in a narrow palisade surrounding the mound. However, when the posts rotted away and the mound had collapsed, an avenue of larger posts were added, leading toward the mound from the Golden Valley below.
    “

    Although Arthur’s Stone is an iconic Megalithic monument of international importance, its origins had been unclear until now. Being able to shine a light on this astonishing 5700 year old tomb is exciting, and helps to tell the story of our origins.

    The initial mound, identifiable in the palisade slot and the parch-marks visible from the air surrounding the stone chambers, points toward the nearby hilltop of Dorstone Hill.

    However the later avenue of posts, together with the two stone chambers and an upright stone located immediately in front of them, align on the far horizon in the gap between Skirrid and Garway Hill to the south-east.

    “The different orientations of the two phase of construction are significant because our excavations on Dorstone Hill in 2011-19 revealed three long mounds similar in construction to that now known to represent the first stage of Arthur’s Stone,” added Professor Thomas.

    “Each of these three turf mounds had been built on the footprint of a large timber building that had been deliberately burnt down. So Arthur’s Stone has now been identified as being closely connected with these nearby ‘halls of the dead’, which hit the headlines in 2013.

    “Indeed, the block of upland between the Golden Valley and the Wye Valley is now becoming revealed as hosting an integrated Neolithic ceremonial landscape.”

    The excavations at Arthur’s Stone form part of the Beneath Hay Bluff Project, which has been investigating early prehistoric southwest Herefordshire since 2010, under the directorship of Keith Ray and Julian Thomas, with associate directors Nick Overton (University of Manchester) and Tim Hoverd (Herefordshire Council).

    https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/archaeologists-reveal-origins-of-famous-stone-age-monument/
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Re: Memories of Arthur's Stone from Kilvert's Diary by AngieLake on Thursday, 29 November 2018
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Thanks to 'Sunny100' reminding me about the book 'Exploring Kilvert Country' by Chris Barber, I found this quote on p.130 in a section on Arthur's Stone:
[Rev. Francis Kilvert writes]
"Walked with E. Awdry to Arthur's Stone in the morning. On the way I visited Joseph Gwynne and Sarah Lewis. Joseph Gwynne told me that when he was a boy the great stone called Arthur's Stone was much longer than it is now. A hundred sheep could lie under the shadow of it. Also the stone stood much higher on its supporting pillars than it does at present, so high indeed that an ordinary-sized man could walk under it. Across the green lane and opposite the stone was a rock lying flat in the ground upon which were imprinted the marks of a man's knees and fingers. These marks were believed to have been made by King Arthur when he heaved this stone up on his back and set it upon the pillars."

One wonders if 'Joseph' just thought the stone was longer and bigger than it was at present because he was so much smaller as a boy, but he does say an 'ordinary-sized man' could walk under it.
The mention of a stone with marks of a man's knees and fingers reminded me of a section in the new 'Digging For Britain' episode on BBC4 Channel 9, last night, 28th November, where a similar stone was found at an excavation somewhere in the North of England (sorry, I deleted the recording!), which was involved with copper-working, if I remember correctly. This stone had depressions worn by the worker's knees and constant wiping of his hands with the smoke and carbon in the air had preserved the impression of fingers of both hands, even after cleaning.

'Kilvert's Diary' is well-worth reading. I've often said it would be my choice if ever asked on Desert Island Disks! His lyrical writing really gives a wonderful feeling for the beauty of our countryside.
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    Re: Memories of Arthur's Stone from Kilvert's Diary & Digging For Britain by AngieLake on Thursday, 29 November 2018
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    This is the BBC i-Player link:
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0bt8vvf/digging-for-britain-series-7-1-north

    When the experts talk to Alice Roberts in the laboratory, we hear more about the stone on Rousay in Orkney that sounds exactly like the one described as being at Arthur's Stone.
    See: 39mins for start of section, and 43mins for stone, and 44.24mins.

    Basically, the excavation of a Neolithic tomb on Rousay* over the past 8 years has turned up another, later, Iron Age Pictish inclusion in the depths of the building. It was a Coppersmith's workshop, and Julie Bond and Dr Stephen Dockrill of Bradford University explain how the large 'beach pebble' used as a hammer-stone or anvil became imprinted with the finger-marks and knee indentations of the smith using it. Because of the heat, the smoke, carbon and sweat involved, the marks of fingers became imprinted, and are visible even after cleaning.

    Could this have any impact on the earlier use of the stone at Arthur's Stone?? *It is featured on the Knowe of Swandro site page on Meg P: http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=30861
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Re: Arthur's Stone by h_fenton on Sunday, 31 July 2016
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3D model of Arthur’s Stone chambered tomb near Dorstone, Herefordshire.
Photographed: 16 July 2016


Arthur's Stone (Neolithic Burial Chamber) by hfenton on Sketchfab



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Re: Arthur's Stone by 4clydesdale7 on Monday, 03 June 2013
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Whatever the folklore this site is in a superb location - the views are wonderful and the atmosphere is so peaceful - you have to visit here - particularly on a balmy summer's day - you will not regret it - the more you research before you go the more enjoyable your visit will be -
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Re: Arthur's Stone by coldrum on Tuesday, 04 September 2012
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Has any-one had any strange experiences here?
Would like to know as I have heard an account of someone having some sort of time slip experience here and time loss.

Coldrum
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    Re: Arthur's Stone by Anonymous on Saturday, 15 October 2016
    Not here I haven't, although we tried to reach it on a cold and slippery day and failed! I DID have a quite mystical experience at Pentre Ifan back in 1992 that was later printed in the Australian Magazine of 'Witchcraft'. Am happy to share with anyone if they care to contact me.
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Arthur's Stone by Anonymous on Friday, 20 July 2018
      Would love to hear about your experience at Pentre Ifan. You can contact me at [email protected]
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Arthur's Stone by coldrum on Tuesday, 04 September 2012
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From Clas Merdin: Tales from the Enchanted Island

" Arthur's Stone
The last resting place of King Arthur?

Arthur's Stone is one of the most notable of all Neolithic burial monuments in western Britain. Located at Grid Ref: SO319431, between the villages of Dorstone and Bredwardine, west Herefordshire, England. This dolmen is associated with the legend of the last resting place of King Arthur and set within a picturesque area of gently rolling countryside lying in the lee of the Black Mountains of Wales, with stunning views to the north-east over the Wye valley.

To find the tomb leave Dorstone by the B4348 heading towards Peterchurch. As the road crosses the river, turn off left at a sharp right-angled bend and head uphill past Dorstone Hill Wood. Some distance further up the western slope of the ridge turn into Arthur's Stone Lane. Continue along the lane, here on your left, overlooking the natural depression of the River Dore known as the Golden Valley, is Arthur's Stone.

Arthur's Stone is Herefordshire's oldest man-made structure, constructed between 3,700BC and 2,700BC, making this stone chamber older than Stonehenge. Excavations by George Nash in 2006 established that Arthur's Stone is a long mound and not a round mound as officially stated by English Heritage on the site information board.

Arthur's Stone is one of eighteen tombs that dominate the Neolithic landscape of the northern reaches of the Dore, Upper Wye and Usk valleys of Breconshire and neighbouring Herefordshire, that lie within the fertile hinterlands of the Black Mountains of mid Wales and the English Marches and is considered the best preserved of the group. The first phase of this monument comprised a circular mound with a 10ft passage with a sharp right-angled turn leading to a small rectangular gallery with antechambers either side. There appears to be intentionally no visual access between the chamber and the facade beyond; the 90˚ kink in the passage alignment presenting a restriction which appears to be a deliberate demarcation between the realms of life and death; it is here that the living come into contact with the dead.

The site is a northerly outlier of the Cotswold-Severn Group of chambered tombs yet similar to other monuments of the Black Mountains Group, such as Gwernvale and Pipton Long Cairn but contrasts to other members of the group in the form and nature of the chamber and passage which faces the distinctive mountain spur of Hay Bluff (Penybegwn) at 2,221ft on the northern tip of the Black Mountains providing a dramatic view when emerging from the passage. As with many other chambered tombs from this period Arthur's Stone is not on the highest point of Merbach's summit but slightly below. Significantly the tomb cannot be seen from any part of the Golden Valley. As with many other chambered tombs, clearly visual access played a major part in the siting of these monuments.

The northern edge of Arthur's Stone Lane runs past the monument and across the spine of Arthur's Stone ridge from Merbach Hill to Dorstone Hill which forms part of the Parish boundary between Dorstone and Bredwardine leading to suggestions that the monument may have been a territorial marker. The chamber and passage were originally incorporated into a long mound, aligned north-south, which extended well over 100ft in length with a south facing entrance. In the fields to the east of the lane is a selection of stones that do do not appear to be natural and may have comprised one end of the monument, the destruction happening at least before the early 18th century with one piece reputedly taken away for use as altar in the church at Peterchurch."

Rest of article here:

http://clasmerdin.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/arthurs-stone.html
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Re: Arthur's Stone by baz on Monday, 15 March 2010
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Re: Arthur's Stone by AngieLake on Thursday, 12 March 2009
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Check out this web page for info on Arthur's Stone [lower down page]:

http://www.bredwardine-brobury.org.uk/pages/famouspeople.htm
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Re: Arthur's Stone by Anonymous on Tuesday, 05 September 2006
For those who are interested, I have recently completed in May 2006 trial excavations in the field that lies immediately east of the monument and Arthur's Stone Lane. My rationale for this was to prove that Arthur's Stone is in fact a long mound and not a round mound, as postulated by Grimes and English Heritage etc. The results of the field work, which also included a geophyisical and contour survey, have been very good and will be published shortly.

George Nash
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Re: Arthur's Stone by Anonymous on Sunday, 10 July 2005
src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/JohnnyStomp/arthurssunset1.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
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Re: Arthur's Stone by Anonymous on Sunday, 23 February 2003
This stone chamber was built between 3700BC and 2700BC, making it older than Stonehenge. It is an impressive site and well worth the visit. The setting is magnificent, best seen in the evening on a summers day.
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    Re: Arthur's Stone by Anonymous on Wednesday, 13 October 2004
    How did they provenance these datings
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