Stoney Littleton is one of England's most interesting chambered long barrows. For many years its main entrance was blocked but now, thanks to a restoration, it should be open again.
Does anybody have visited this site recently, to see if it is really open to the public?
[Edited by Diego (29-04-2000 at 19:07).]
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Stoney Littleton
Started by Diego, 29-Apr-2000 00:00
3 replies to this topic
#2
rob r
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Posted 2 May 2000 - 21:39
Although I have not visited Stoney Littleton, I am local. There have been reports on local TV to the effect that it has definitely been restored. I do not know absolutely that it is reopen to the public, but i should think it is. I shall listen out for you
#3
RobT
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Posted 3 May 2000 - 22:03
Stoney Littleton is not open but from the conservation work to it ( now complete ) and the shiny new gate, I would say that it is only a matter of a few months before it is re-opened...for better or for worse. English Heritage would be the one's to know.
#4
Diego
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Posted 6 May 2000 - 08:56
According to a message posted by Terence Meaden on the Stones Mailing List, "I went to Stoney Littleton chambered long barrow on Sunday 23 April, a brilliant sunny day. A padlocked iron gate has been fitted, and inside a bronze framework can be seen supporting a megalith on the west side of the gallery. The idea is to allow settlement‚ after restoration to ensure security and safety for visitors later on -- in a few months time or so.
In these circumstances it is right to have the gate locked -- despite which the barrow continues to be well worth visiting. It is one of the best surviving of chambered barrows, and has a splendid ammonite cast on its western portal and numerous gryphaea (fossils of a species like a curled-up oyster) on the eastern portal. One can see down the gallery quite well to the end cell if using a powerful electric torch. And of course visitors who go in the morning between 9 and 10 in late December will find the sun shining right down the inside anyway because the barrow is aligned on the midwinter sunrise. At other times in the mornings the sun partially illuminates the interior.
Now the bad news. Some idiot has tried breaking in. The iron bars are mud-covered from kicking; a gate-hinge is loosened; and 3 or 4 stones from the dry-stone walling just above the western portal lie on the ground. Thoughtless vandalism is more likely to ensure that the barrow remains shut for ever, rather being opened sooner. If repeated too much, it could lead to the barrow being sealed by a covering of earth and turf, because that is what protected it for over 5500 years until re-opened in the 19th century...
I certainly encourage megalith enthusiasts to visit, inspect and respect the monument.
In these circumstances it is right to have the gate locked -- despite which the barrow continues to be well worth visiting. It is one of the best surviving of chambered barrows, and has a splendid ammonite cast on its western portal and numerous gryphaea (fossils of a species like a curled-up oyster) on the eastern portal. One can see down the gallery quite well to the end cell if using a powerful electric torch. And of course visitors who go in the morning between 9 and 10 in late December will find the sun shining right down the inside anyway because the barrow is aligned on the midwinter sunrise. At other times in the mornings the sun partially illuminates the interior.
Now the bad news. Some idiot has tried breaking in. The iron bars are mud-covered from kicking; a gate-hinge is loosened; and 3 or 4 stones from the dry-stone walling just above the western portal lie on the ground. Thoughtless vandalism is more likely to ensure that the barrow remains shut for ever, rather being opened sooner. If repeated too much, it could lead to the barrow being sealed by a covering of earth and turf, because that is what protected it for over 5500 years until re-opened in the 19th century...
I certainly encourage megalith enthusiasts to visit, inspect and respect the monument.
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