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Sites cliffrich has logged. View this log as a table or view the most recent logs from everyone
Nunwell Down
Date Added: 18th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 22nd Oct 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4
Nunwell Down submitted by vicky on 26th Aug 2003. Nunwell Down barrow - see main site entry for further details.
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Log Text: You'll have to know what to look for in order to recognise this site. It is not formally preserved, instead just a mound in a farmer's field which he seems to circumnavigate with his machinery. No fences or protective environment for the barrow. Sad to see it's uncared for. Also known as The Devil's Punch Bowl and seems to be well know locally. See video - https://youtu.be/44WlKNaEzxE?list=PLTlO3UNiWb31re9wQfjfMfebYbLfQ8fhF&t=9. Also see: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1012719
Shanklin Down Barrows
Date Added: 17th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 22nd Nov 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 2
Shanklin Down Barrows submitted by RingPaw on 2nd Nov 2006. Barrow in foreground; towns of Shanklin & Sandown, white Culver Cliff + Portsmouth and the South Downs beyond.
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Log Text: A long walk from the Ventnor Road but once there the views are well worth it! If you know what you're looking for you will find the nearly flattened barrows but tell-tale mounds are there to be seen. Mounds can be seen all over this area which makes me think that it is a cemetery rather than just a couple barrows - I've asked the IWCC if this is the case and they've told me that the other lumps could be from mining or as other unconfirmed barrows or pillow mounds. The trig mark is only obvious once you're in the field but no sooner.
See video - https://youtu.be/VmVQ-JwC2fg?t=1
Culver Down I
Date Added: 18th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 11th Nov 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4
Culver Down I submitted by PaulM on 29th Aug 2003. By the gun battery - see main site entry.
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Log Text: A short walk from the lower car park at the end of Culver Down. This barrow is quite noticeable if you look where you wouldn't expect to see it! It was overgrown and hidden away by some trees and brambles when I visited. It is situated adjacent to a concrete wartime gun emplacement. The video include other lumps and bumps and a listed barrow next to the monument.
See video - https://youtu.be/zfY5iaxRgMQ?t=2
See also: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1012716
Ashey Down Cemetery
Date Added: 13th Jul 2020
Site Type: Barrow Cemetery
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 16th Oct 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 2
Ashey Down Cemetery submitted by RingPaw on 18th Jul 2006. The site from the west, showing 'avenue' effect of the grouping.
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Log Text: After a long walk I found that it was all worth it. The barrows are good examples and easily recognised. To walk through them gives a good feeling, almost though as if you are trespassing! Well worth the effort. Once you are there it is a short walk to the Seamark where you will find other, less obvious, barrows and further suspicious lumps in adjacent fields the other side of the roads.
See: https://historicengland.org.uk/sitesearch?searchType=Site&search=ashey%20down%20cemetery&page=&filterOption=&facetValues=&pageId=38601&searchResultsPerPage=20.
UPDATE 10.07.20): have just found several other barrows at the same site. All-in-all there 19 barrows listed with Historic England!
Map ref's: SZ 57191 87626; SZ 57692 87734; SZ 57384 87641; SZ 57210 87700; SZ 57335 87517; SZ 57903 87779; SZ 57227 87513, amongst others! All ref's from Historic England's listings.
See videos - https://youtu.be/VDNMetj0lwI
https://youtu.be/TlH3Oibtvp4?t=7
You will also find a Medieval field system, as you will a very noticeable two-sided enclosure banks and ditches (another page). There are also two sites of Medieval settlements but these are scarcely visible.
Arreton Downs
Date Added: 18th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 6th Nov 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4
Arreton Downs submitted by RingPaw on 16th Jul 2006. Large barrow just to the east of Hare & Hounds PH, a few yards south of the ridge-top road to Brading. Short walk from the pub (watch the traffic).
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Log Text: Once you have found the site the barrow is easy to see. Roughly 3mtrs high and approx 10mtrs diameter. Hidden behind a roadside hedge on the chalk pit side of the road, near the Hare and Hounds pub. There is another barrow several hundred yards away towards the end of the chalk pit and in a field, but this is difficult to see at first. Also known as Michael Morey's Hump. A gallows used to be placed in the center of the Hump from which a grandfather was hanged for killing his grandson C19.
See video - https://youtu.be/zVpFduukZqo?t=21.
See also: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1010008
Mersley Down
Date Added: 17th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 30th Nov 2018. My rating: Condition 1 Ambience 1 Access 3
Mersley Down submitted by RingPaw on 16th Jul 2006. This seems to have been almost totally ploughed out. There is a definite platform with lumps & bumps at the top of a small hill which is probably the barrow site (here in foreground). View north to Portsmouth & South Downs.
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Log Text: Only recognisable by very slightly raised ground that could be confused with the many other lumps in the ground. I could not be certain of the exact location in the field due to the numerous similar lumps in the ground. The video is of the site according to an OS map/gps coordinates but disappointed not to find any significant mounds. There are other earth features in the field which may/may not be significant. Ambience is not present hence: '1 - Awful'.
See video - https://youtu.be/NdezfJTLToY
Sud Moor
Date Added: 17th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jan 2019. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 2 Access 4
Sud Moor submitted by RingPaw on 17th Sep 2006. General view of the site (feature to the left). Shows footbridge to the right and walkers on the coastal footpath, on the horizon.
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Log Text: You need to explore for an access to this site then keep a close eye across the stream/drainage channel. The barrow is situated on the other side of the stream/drainage ditch near a bend in the stream. If the grass is high you won't be able to see it. Look for the ditch around the circumference of the barrow which will give it's location away. Ringpaw's description is good.
See video - https://youtu.be/d9qGqt5Wdn8
Arreton Bowl Barrow II
Date Added: 18th Mar 2019
Site Type: Barrow Cemetery
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 7th Dec 2018
Arreton Bowl Barrow II submitted by cliffrich on 7th Dec 2018. In a field next to the chalk pit but footpaths traverse the field so appears to have public access
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Log Text: This one wasn't marked on this site so I asked the site owner to add it. This barrow is situated at the end of the chalk pit in the adjacent field, literally a few meters from the chalk pit. It is listed with Historic England: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1010009.
See video - https://youtu.be/gYPKFJpOmhw
See also: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1010009
Castle Hill, Mottistone
Date Added: 17th Mar 2019
Site Type: Hillfort
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 9th Jan 2019. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 3
Castle Hill, Mottistone submitted by ringpaw on 27th Aug 2007. View from below - perhaps gives an idea of the squared-off nature of the fort. The fencing on the horizon is related to a small modern reservoir at the south-east corner of the feature.
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Log Text: If you know what you're looking for it can be recognised, however it could be confused with farm earth movements. A distinctive square-ish earth structure comprising of built up earth mounds around perimeter, but nothing else to identify it. Look out for the fenced manhole cover at the South East corner.
See video - https://youtu.be/xESs83VUFaU?t=1
Long Stone (IOW)
Date Added: 17th Mar 2019
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 9th Jan 2019. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 3
Long Stone (IOW) submitted by Avaloniaspirit on 17th Oct 2007. The Long Stone is a place that I have visited on many occasions and I have taken shed loads of photos but this one is probably one of my favs...lol though it does look a bit phallic looking from this angle!
The closest village is Mottistone and unlless you are up to a hike then I wouldn't park by Mottistone Manor. The best place to go is up Strawberry lane(theres a interesting house on the corner which is actually the National Trusts office) Go past the driveway for the house and a little wa...
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Log Text: A locally well known site which is used by various Pagan groups. The two stones (one standing, the other toppled) mark the Eastern end of the Longbarrow (presumeably the entrance). The barrow itself has been almost ruined by previous excavations and is difficult to pick out. Ditches around the barrow mark the sites from which material was moved to build the barrow. A local myth tells of St Catherine and the Devil who threw the two stones from St Catherine's Down and the furthest stone to land was the ruler of the Island - St Catherine won with the larger standing stone.
See video - https://youtu.be/94FoJCCGqzg
Mottistone Common Bowl Barrow
Date Added: 18th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 9th Jan 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 3
Mottistone Common Bowl Barrow submitted by ringpaw on 27th Aug 2007. Pick your way to the barrow through heather, gorse (& bees) from a gravel trackway. August is the time to catch the heather.
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Log Text: A relatively well preserved Bowl Barrow. A little walk from the Longstone, and from the Hill Fort. As is often the case there is a dip in the top middle of the barrow from previous excavation/s. Not noticeable until you get close to it but well worth the effort finding it - just a case of exploring for it! I visited in January 2019 so a little bare of flowers!
See video - https://youtu.be/F9nw396ifdY?t=2.
See also: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1007788
Afton Down
Date Added: 18th Mar 2019
Site Type: Barrow Cemetery
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 3rd Feb 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 3
Afton Down submitted by RingPaw on 25th Jul 2006. Close-up of central barrows of group. On golfcourse fairway.
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Log Text: There are two sites listed elsewhere which refer to Freshwater Golf Club site, and the Afton Down site. In effect they both make up one barrow cemetery. The round/bowl barrows are mostly very well preserved and some of the best that I have seen on the Island so far. There is also a disc barrow, bell barrow, and a long-barrow. The Afton Down site is a further little walk to the East. Many of the barrows had been excavated so have the tell-tale sunken parts. The barrows themselves are part of the golf course fairways so if visiting them be aware of air-born golf balls (and of being shouted at by golfers!). Well worth a visit! If the golf course was not there I think the their would be far more ambience at the sites.
See video of the eastern end (Afton Cemetery) - https://youtu.be/XHcAYN4AqGk
See video of Freshwater Golf Club barrows - https://youtu.be/d5Or2x9aAqM.
See also: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1007794.
See also: https://historicengland.org.uk/sitesearch?searchType=Site&search=afton%20down%20cemetery&page=&filterOption=&facetValues=&pageId=38601
Black Barrow
Date Added: 18th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 6th Feb 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4
Black Barrow submitted by RingPaw on 8th Mar 2006. Black Barrow from Strawberry Lane, looking east.
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Log Text: Just got back from visiting Black Barrow. Tried going to St Catherine's barrows but the hill was shrouded in fog right down to the car park/viewing area!
Well, as RingPaw mentioned this barrow certainly has some ambience. I've put a 4 for ambience but as mentioned by RingPaw 'Good' ambience is not my preffered description. This site has an eerie and sinister feel to it - perhaps that's why it's called BLACK Barrow? It was a short walk from where I parked the car but not via a recognized footpath. The map co-ordinates using phone GPS are spot on but you'll have to search for the barrow as it is obscured by lots of young trees on the approach to it. It is a large barrow and reasonably well preserved but, as with many barrows on the Island, it had been excavated, the tell-tale dip/holes in the top give it away. I would say that it was roughly the same size as Mottistone Common barrow (not far from the Longstone).There was a trodden path through bracken over the top leading to the woods behind. Today terra-firma was well obscured by dead bracken. You can't really see it from Strawberry Lane now as it's behind tallish trees. Worth a visit to experience it though! See: https://ancientmonuments.uk/106020-bowl-barrow-known-as-black-barrow-670m-nne-of-longstone-farmhouse-brighstone#.XFrBL6DLd9O. See my page for videos.
See also: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1007805
Shorwell 1
Date Added: 17th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 23rd Feb 2019. My rating: Condition 1 Ambience 3 Access 2
Shorwell 1 submitted by RingPaw on 20th May 2006. Long view of site. This is where the barrow is according to evidence of field boundaries, etc. Spectacular views all round, village of Shorwell in background.
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Log Text: I think I walked past this several times during the 2hrs looking for it! Having found the map reference site I continued to look for it. This one is the worst condition barrow that I have found so far. It is unrecognisable as a round barrow, possibly due to ploughing and a general lack of preservation :(. I found RingPaw's description accurate. No ambience, and no tell-tale mound to speak of. There are a few lumps in the ground but nothing else however, a few meters away I found a likely looking earthwork further towards Chillerton but not at the map co-ordinates. All-in-all disappointing :o
See video - https://youtu.be/L7jTxUYCZkA
Shorwell 2
Date Added: 21st Jun 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 23rd Feb 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 3
Shorwell 2 submitted by RingPaw on 20th May 2006. Barrow in foreground, more obvious on site, but largely ruined.
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Log Text: Having lived in Shorwell as a vicar's son for 8yrs in the 70's I never knew of this gem! Quite a noticeable barrow, even from the approach, however once on top of the downs you need to keep to the nearest side of the fence in order to notice the barrow. Follow the far side of the fence and you will miss it (my mistake!). It is easily noticed as you approach it from the untrodden footpath so you have to go through bracken to get to it. Once there you'll find that it's a medium sized barrow, reasonably well preserved, albeit covered in bracken and with Badger/Fox holes so beware!. The ambience for me was noticeable but not overpowering, unlike the Black Barrow of Brighstone.
See video - https://youtu.be/L7jTxUYCZkA
Cheverton Farm
Date Added: 18th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 2nd Mar 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 3
Cheverton Farm submitted by RingPaw on 10th Feb 2006. Long distance view of area, barrows are in middle distance on the ridge by the tongue of woodland.
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Log Text: There are two round barrows at this site. One of them is quite noticeable albeit around a meter high at highest point. Roughly 20mtr diameter with quite a distinctive circumference. The second barrow is approx seven meters to the East. Just recognisable if you know what to look for. Again this one is roughly 20mtr diameter but only approx half a meter high. They have probably been ploughed out in the past. Little evidence of excavation. The ambience is ordinary and not much to experience.
These two barrows are part of a larger cemetery on the Downs. There are another five barrows here. The most Westward barrows take 25minutes to reach on foot. The other two clumps of barrows are at map ref: SZ4411 8420, and SZ4453 8415.
IMPORTANT: all the barrows are on private farm land. I had permission to visit.
See videos - Site I, Brighstone end: https://youtu.be/oJ_D-opFkhs
Site II, middle barrows: https://youtu.be/m_MAgye1Zo4?t=2
Site III, nearest barrows to Cheverton Farm: https://youtu.be/VVpkwAwbvx8
See also:
https://historicengland.org.uk/sitesearch?searchType=Site&search=shorwell%20round%20barrow&page=&filterOption=&facetValues=&pageId=38601&searchResultsPerPage=20
Gallibury Hump
Date Added: 19th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 12th Mar 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 2
Gallibury Hump submitted by RingPaw on 10th Feb 2006.
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Log Text: I was glad to see that the barrow had been fenced off. The first one on the Island that I've seen fenced off! An imposing barrow of impressive size.
As RingPaw states, the other two barrow sites nearby have been ploughed out and barely visible. These barrows are on private land and I discovered that the owner fiercely protects these ancient sites! Good for him!
Pitts Down Field System
Date Added: 19th Mar 2019
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 12th Mar 2019. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 2
Pitts Down Field System submitted by cliffrich on 12th Mar 2019. Field System #4
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Log Text: None
Brighstone Forest 1
Date Added: 25th Mar 2019
Site Type: Barrow Cemetery
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes on 20th Mar 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 3
Brighstone Forest 1 submitted by RingPaw on 11th Feb 2006. Large round barrow.
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Log Text: Good examples of round barrows. Quite large ones which give an imposing presence. The ambience is almost welcoming so a pleasure to walk between them :). Sadly they have been excavated in the past so un-repaired damage on the top is evident
East Westover Down - Tennyson Trail
Date Added: 25th Mar 2019
Site Type: Round Barrow(s)
Country: England (Isle of Wight)
Visited: Yes
East Westover Down - Tennyson Trail submitted by cliffrich on 25th Mar 2019. Westover Down 3
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Log Text: None