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The Chiding Stone is a block of smooth sandstone which allegedly (but probably not) gives the village of Chiddingstone in Kent its name and which has a mysterious past. One story is that it was used as a place of judgement in ancient times - hence 'chiding stone'. The village is a peach - most of the buildings are owned by the National Trust and are over 200 years old.
Chiddingstone is located on a minor road between Edenbridge and Tonbridge; the River Eden flows just to the north.
Nr Edenbridge
Chysauster is one of the best-preserved ancient villages in Britain. A small community lived and worked here for around 400 years, from about 100BC until the third century AD - by which time much of Britain was under Roman rule. The villagers lived in stone-walled houses, each with a number of rooms arranged round a courtyard – a unique house layout found only in late Iron Age and Romano-British settlements in western Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Ten houses have been identified, suggesting a community of 50-70 people. The houses are very small. Open hearths, stone basins for grinding grain and covered drains are all visible. South of Chysauster is the remains of a fogou - a Cornish cave.
Cissbury Ring is the largest hillfort in Sussex, covering an area of c60 acres. Flint has been mined there since Neolithic times, open mining giving way to the digging of numerous shafts and tunnels. It was used as a burial ground in the Bronze Age and was fortified in the Iron Age, in around 400 BC. It is a univallate fort - one with a single rampart and ditch. The fort was in use for about 300 years, was abandoned, and then resettled in the late Roman period - possibly in defence against Saxon raids. It was fortified again during WW2, when an anti-tank ditch was dug round it, an AA battery based there and, during the run up to D-Day, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders were camped there. Now, it's just a pleasant place to walk, with great views over the Downs and nearby coast. If you're lucky, you may spot some wild ponies grazing there.
Clava Cairns is a prehistoric complex not far from the Culloden battlefield. There are actually two parts to it. At Balnuaran are three well-preserved burial chambers, two with entrance passages, each one surrounded by standing stones. The cairns are of a type of which around 50 examples have been found in the Moray/Inverness region. They were built c2000BC, almost certainly for high standing individuals, and appear to align with the midwinter sunset. The cemetery was reused about 1,000 years after it was built. A split stone at the site is thought to have been the inspiration for Craigh Na Dun in the 'Outlander' book by Diana Gabaldon.
At Milton of Clava, down the road, is the remains of a medieval chapel, the site of another cairn and, possibly, standing stones.
Dinas Mawr promontory fort is reckoned to date from the Iron Age and was probably the stronghold of a clan leader. It is situated on the west of the Pencaer Peninsula, generally known as Strumble Head, jutting out into the Irish Sea. The location is stunning, but not for those of a nervous disposition, especially in bad weather. Dinas Mawr is accessible along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path or via a footpath off a minor road. However, laymen will need to look for evidence of the fort. A ditch is clearly visible on the headland between what were stone ramparts and traces of at least one hut circle can be made out just inside the ramparts. Most of Dinas Mawr comprises a towering lump of rock, however, with severely restricted space for settlement to the east and the south of the crag; the top, surely, would have been too inhospitable. Immediately beyond Dinas Mawr is the islet of Ynys y Ddinas. Though a good defensive position, there is no fresh water and it is speculated whether the fort had some ceremonial or ritual purpose, for it cannot have been of much long-term use, or in the event of a prolonged siege.
Goodwick
Dun Beag (the small fort) is the best known, best preserved and most accessible broch on Skye. Brochs are unique to Scotland - they were probably defensive homes, though no one is sure, and were built about 2-2,500 years ago. Dun Beag is situated just north of Struan, to the east of the road - there is a small car park and you will need stout footwear and lungs for the sort walk uphill to look at it. The distinctive double walls are more or less intact to about 6 feet - originally it would have stood about 30-40 feet high. The views are wonderful. The rubble of Dun Mor (the big fort) is less than 1/2 mile further on - take a map.
Post code for Dun Beag is very approximate - look for signs.
Isle of Skye
Dun da Lamh (pronounced ‘doon da larve’) is a prehistoric, believed to be early Pictish, hilltop fort near Laggan in the Highlands. It sits on Black Craig, 1484 feet above sea level and 600 feet above the land below, overlooking the River Spey to the north. The fort is approximately 360 feet (110 metres) long by about 98-246 feet (30 and 75 metres) wide. Inside are shelters, believed to have been constructed by the Home Guard during WW2.
The fort’s sole defence is a stone wall, which has been cleared in places. It is constructed of fine quality stone slabs resembling bricks totalling an estimated 5000 tons which are not from the local valley. It has been skilfully made. The fort is so steep on three sides as to be impregnable and is only approachable from the west where the walls are over 20 feet thick. Dun da Lamh means ‘fort of the two hands’. The plaque on the site asks was it a frontier fortress of a great Pictish nation guarding the farmlands to the north and east; or was it something else?
Dun da Lamh can only be reached by foot and it is a strenuous walk for which you should dress appropriately and allow a couple of hours each way, depending on conditions and fitness. There are a variety of starting points, including a way-marked route from Laggan Wolftrax (as per postcode). Others suggest starting from the car park opposite the Pattack Falls Forestry Commission Car Park off the A86.
Firle Beacon is a prominent 712 foot (217m) high hill on the South Downs, overlooking Newhaven/Seaford. It is also the name given to the largest of several round barrows, dating from the late Neolithic period to the late Bronze Age (approx 2400-1500 BC). There are other prehistoric remains nearby, including a long barrow. Firle Beacon round barrow was excavated in 1820 and among the find was a burial, two cremations, a bronze pin, cup and arrowhead. The barrow was used as a signalling beacon, possibly at the time of the Armada, but certainly during the Napoleonic Wars. Legend is that a giant that once lived on Firle Hill slew a giant that lived on Windover Hill and the Long Man of Wilmington is the outline of where he fell.
There are spectacular views in all directions from the top of Firle Beacon, which includes a section of the South Down Way. The Beacon is accessible from car parks either side or via a rewarding circular walk from the village of Firle.
Nr Lewes
Foel Trigarn is a famous multivallate Iron Age hillfort and landmark in the east of the Preseli Hills. Experts have identified 3 main enclosures as well as at least 227, possibly 270, sites of Iron Age dwellings. Ditches can be clearly made out by a layman. Though Foel Trigarn is thought to have been a major centre of population, possibly the headquarters of a tribal leader, it is not considered likely that these dwelling sites were all occupied simultaneously, but over many centuries. In short, this was probably a prehistoric village. Three enormous cairns on the summit give the hill its name. These are believed to be communal Bronze Age burial mounds. Because they are believed not have been plundered, it has been concluded that those that lived on Foel Trigarn venerated their ancestors and that the hill may well have been a sacred site. Both Iron Age and Roman artefacts have been found.
Post code approximate. Access by foot only wearing suitable clothing. Parking in a layby on a nearby road.
The multivallate Iron Age hillfort of Garn Fawr on the Pencaer/Strumble Head peninsula dominates the surrounding landscape, which is peppered with prehistoric remains. At 699 feet (213m), Garn Fawr is the highest point on the peninsula and there are spectacular views from the top. The craggy terrain was formed more than 440 million years ago by intrusive vulcanicity, giving Garn Fawr a tor-like appearance. Drystone walls link rocky outcrops to form boundaries and ramparts. There is also a WW1 lookout post on the summit, from which the nearby smaller fort of Garn Fechan to the east is easily visible. There is an easy walk to the fort from a car park and a shortish circular route takes you around the landscape, past another feature, Ysgubor Caer, and an abandoned cottage that once belonged to the artist John Piper. Extend your walk to the promontory fort of Dinas Mawr.
Post code is for guidance only. Take a minor road north from Harmony to the car park.
Goodwick
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