<< Our Photo Pages >> Stoney Littleton - Chambered Cairn in England in Somerset

Submitted by Thorgrim on Wednesday, 15 October 2003  Page Views: 43924

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Stoney Littleton
Country: England County: Somerset Type: Chambered Cairn
Nearest Town: Bath  Nearest Village: Wellow
Map Ref: ST7349257208  Landranger Map Number: 172
Latitude: 51.313361N  Longitude: 2.381713W
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
 4 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 5 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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I have visited· I would like to visit

DrewParsons SumDoood KieKa MegalithicChaton would like to visit

TheCaptain visited on 29th Aug 2024 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 4 Access: 4 I parked in the area by the wooden bridge to the southwest of Wellow, but the bridge had been fenced off with notices stating that it is dangerous. An alternate route is posted, taking the dangerous narrow lane to the west before crossing the river on a concrete farm bridge, then over an electric fence back along the far side of the river through a field with a rampant ram in it, before we are back to the normal way up to the barrow. Lovely to see it again after all this time, and in clear sunlight. I do not recommend crawling inside with bare knees, a bad back and without a torch, but it had to be done, didn't it.

bishop_pam visited on 9th Jun 2024 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 3

Gongoozler visited on 20th Aug 2020 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

ScrumpyRich visited on 13th Jul 2017 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 4 I proposed to my wife here! Love places as perfect as this.

Catrinm visited on 21st May 2017 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4 Impressive fossil on outside good ambience

Ramblesnbrambles visited on 24th Jun 2016 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

achiersnakes visited on 7th Jun 2016 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 4 Amazing long barrow, with an extensive network of chambers. Very accessible and a lovely place to visit. Car park and labelled footpath. The chamber itself is very large and goes go back quite far. Bring a torch if you go exploring as it is dark and has a lot of hidden passages. One of the best long barrows I have visited after West Kennet.

lichen visited on 5th Sep 2015 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

Jansold visited on 1st Jun 2015 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 3

graemefield visited on 21st Mar 2012 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 3

jeffrep visited on 24th May 2011 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

coin visited on 7th Mar 2011 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 3 Possibly my favourite place in the world

markj99 visited on 22nd Mar 2010 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4 This restored long barrow is an unexpected gem, given its relative isolation. The restoration is more sympathetic than Newgrange.

wildtalents visited on 1st Jun 2001 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 3 Bit of a trek up, along, then up some more, while dodging the cows etc. But worth it, even if those corbelled kerb stones look a bit sus. The ammonite fossil on the left-hand side portal stone is pretty special.

woodini254 visited on 27th Dec 1993 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 3 This Long Barrow is well worth the short walk to get there.

jlfern2 visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

makellys visited - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 4

Septembre3 visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

NickyD Bladup AngieLake JimChampion TheWhiteRider hamish TheCaptain heidavey Andy B mdensham hevveh have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 4.44 Ambience: 4.94 Access: 3.67

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by TheCaptain : Stoney Littleton barrow viewed from the west. Its a cracking little barrow, with the most wonderful passage and chambers inside, and the powers that be have even left a decent sized area around it free of any farming activity. A lovely sunny day, but some of the walk to the barrow was horrendously muddy. The fields around the barrow had recently been ploughed, a crop of beet of some sort hav... (Vote or comment on this photo)
James Dyer describes the Stoney Littleton long barrow as "the most notable chambered long-barrow in south-western England" - and I agree with him! It is simply superb. About 30m in length and 15m wide at the south-east end, it stands nearly 3m high. There is a horned entrance with a magical ammonite cast on the western door-jamb. This fossil must have been found and specially placed here as something of real significance. Was it seen as a stone serpent or perhaps such fossils gave rise to legends of dragons? The entrance leads to a gallery 16m long, but only 1m high. A torch is required to look into the three pairs of side chambers and an end chamber.

Access is greatly improved as a new, but very narrow track has been made from Wellow which leads to a small car park. Then there is a style and a clearly marked path around two fields. The setting is breathtaking with the barrow being sited on a round topped hill surrounded by wide valleys and low hills in every direction. Top of my list now and its remoteness from the Avebury circus means that, for the present at least, there are no candles and other new age clutter to spoil it. Go there, but please leave it as you find it. It already has all the magic that it needs.

This site is scheduled as Historic England List ID 1007910, Stoney Littleton long barrow.
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Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by jeffrep : The spectacular Ammonite fossil at the entrance to the Stoney Littleton Long Barrow near the village of Wellow in Somerset, England. (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by Bladup : Stoney Littleton, A very special place. This Original Artwork in a glass frame is £39.99 + Postage (Just whatever it costs), and is 17 and a half cm by 13 and a half cm. A limited (to a 100) edition print in a 8" x 10" glass frame would be £19.99 + £2.90 postage, E-mail me at [email protected] if interested. (4 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by paulinelen : liked this one - taken without the flash - gives a better idea of the atmosphere (Vote or comment on this photo)

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by paulinelen : Wonderful setting for an amazing site. Well worth the walk through a field of sheep to reach it. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by JimChampion : An (Easter?) egg left on a stone shelf in the end chamber within the barrow. This will smell nice in a few weeks. Category *A* (Vote or comment on this photo)

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by graemefield : Panoramic of Stoney Littleton

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by Humbucker : The entrance to the barrow with the lovely ammonite fossil. (2 comments)

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by paulinelen : Bit hard on the knees and need a torch to see the end chambers. This is an incredible place to visit.

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by TheCaptain : Although unprepared, I decided that I just had to go in. I do not recommend crawling inside with bare knees, a bad back and without a torch, but it had to be done, didn't it.

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by Antonine : 2009

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by Humbucker : Close up of the ammonite fossil at the entrance of the barrow.

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by Humbucker : Stoney Littleton with some dramatic looking clouds.

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by graemefield : Panorama shot of Stoney Littleton

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by ddraigdu : Stoney Littleton in March 2008. Don't know about the weird cross and sheep's skull though. Apart from that it is a beautiful example of a longbarrow.

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by davidmilner : Above Door Lintel (2 comments)

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by Bladup : Stoney Littleton, The first side chamber on the left when entering the passage

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by Bladup : Stoney Littleton, When heading into the chamber this is the middle Left chamber

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by Bladup : Stoney Littleton, The last chamber on the right before the end chamber, The large stone on the left reminds me of one in West Kennet Longbarrow, Even though this ones limestone and the West Kennet one is sarson

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by TheCaptain : Ah, back at the entrance. Will I be able to stand up again?

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by TheCaptain : Time to get back out. Oh, my poor knees on all this gravel.

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by TheCaptain : The view from the end. The technology of a cheap phone does some wondrous things. Or is it my aura? Or even aliens?

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by TheCaptain : OK, I got to the end. Now can I possibly turn round ?

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by Horatio : The entrance, with the plaque that was fixed to the forecourt wall on it's restoration in the 1800's bearing the inscription - This tumulus- declared by competent judges to be the most perfect specimen of Celtic antiquity still existing in Great Britain- having been much injured by the lapse of time- or the carelessness of former proprietors, was restored in 1858 by Mr T.R.Joliffe, the Lord ...

Stoney Littleton
Stoney Littleton submitted by Horatio : The view from the very back (and from within the 7th chamber) looking back down the 16 metre passageway to the entrance. The two chambers either side can be seen and just visable the next two chambers past these. All in all there are three Chambers each side of the main passage with a terminal chamber being the 7th chamber. Sometimes you have to stoop low as in places it is only 1metre high, but ...

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Re: Stoney Littleton andy the witchyman by Anonymous on Tuesday, 26 November 2024
I have visited the barrow several times and this is my poem about it ‘stoney littleton long barrow’ the turmoil And pressures of life seem so far away as i sit in this ancient Neolithic tomb built 5000 yeArs ago, the silence seems so strong only broken by the odd drip of water or distant sound from the outside, the dAylight seeps in down the tunnel, peace and tranquility abound in this sacred plAce where our ancestors were laid to rest, in the never ending cycle of life. Written by Andrew Williams in mArch 2006

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Re: Stoney Littleton by Gongoozler on Saturday, 22 August 2020
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Visited the site this week for first time in many years. The owner of the house by the small parking area has opened a small kiosk selling tea, coffee, cold drinks, ice cream etc. Suspect kiosk opening times will be seasonal and variable.
Visited in time of Covid 19. Sign at stile entrance to barrow site asks visitors to maintain social distancing. English Heritage also ask you to wear a face covering to enter the chamber.
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Re: Stoney Littleton by coldrum on Tuesday, 16 February 2010
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Pastscape entry.

http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=203075
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Re: Stoney Littleton by AngieLake on Tuesday, 21 August 2007
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If you click on http://www.bathnes.gov.uk there is quite a lot of info. about Stoney Littleton in the website's archaeology section.
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Re: Stoney Littleton by f1racer on Thursday, 15 September 2005
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Can any one Email me directions to stoney litteton from chippenham. my email address is [email protected] id be very greatful
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Re: Stoney Littleton by traveller on Saturday, 08 November 2003
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We have just visited this wonderful site and totally agree with what has been said by others about it. The visit was made even more special by the fact that we were lucky enough to be the only ones there today, just us enjoying the atmosphere, oh, and a few sheep nearby.
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Re: Stoney Littleton by Anonymous on Tuesday, 02 October 2001
I visited Stony Littleton Longbarrow with my wife and 2 young daughters 6 years ago, and I have to say it is one of the most evocative megalithic sites I have ever had the privilege to see. In perfect isolation without too much trauma to reach, and perfectly positioned for a thoughtful ambience. I worry that the opening of the chambers will lead to further damage, and I wonder if it is wise that this should happen. The chambers here are smaller and more fragile than the likes of West Kennet and Bryn Celli Ddu, and I suspect that many of its visitors will not appreciate the care that needs to be taken to keep the monument safe. The recent events at Silbury show what can happen to a site if human interference is allowed free rein.

from Mark McManus
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    Re: Stoney Littleton by Derek on Wednesday, 04 September 2002
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    Mark is right and the cairn/walling around this barrow is <i>especially</i> vulnerable. If it's any reassurance, having visited SL in August 2002, the site appears to be being respected. It's a lovely spot and I would have wanted to remain longer but kids aged 1 and 5 don't have the patience for it sadly. If any of our photos are half-decent I'll try and post some but don't hold your breath as this website is so mammoth it intimidates me! (No disrespect intended, it's marvellous.)
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