Gop-y-Goleuni

Silbury Hill in Wiltshire is the only hill to beat The Gop as the largest prehistoric man made hill in the British Isles. It sits on top of a hill some 800 feet above sea level, commanding a panorama through nearly 360 degrees, with the dimensions being oval, around 300 by 240 feet, and 40 feet high, dating between 4000 and 3000 BC. Excavations in 1886-7 revealed just a few bones of animals, with no chambers or passages being discovered. The top of the mound is considerably pitted, probably due to stone robbing The Gop is also known as Cop y Goleuni or 'Mount of lights'; disappointingly, it is not because of some earth mysteries phenomena which might warrant the likes of Paul Devereux investigating further, but due to its use as a beacon in the 17th Century. Interestingly, local traditions and names place the defeat of Boudica and her forces on the plain beneath The Gop. For any general commanding an army, this would be an excellent point from which to survey the battlefield. For a full exploration of the inconclusive reasoning behind this, a read of this article At The Edge is recommended. Access is from a bridleway to the SE, and then through a wood. The path was extremely muddy and slippery even after several days of dry weather, and near overgrown with brambles in places. Picture shows how most see the cairn - as they drive past on the A5151 to the south.