The Cotswolds - Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age Sites

Avening Burial Chambers. When a long barrow in nearby Nags Head was excavated, these three chambers were transferred to this site at Avening. Notable for a porthole entrance to one of the chambers, others are approached by short passages.
Bagendon. Coin moulds and coins found on this 200 acre Iron Age earthworks suggest it may have been the important site of the Dobunni mint. Other remains suggest wide and flourishing trading. Access off A435 East of Bagendon village.
Belas Knap Long Barrow, Charlton Abbots. This Neolithic site lies half a mile from the minor road between Winchcombe and Charlton Abbots. A steep but well-signposted path leads to the 170 feet long barrow where the remains of 30 people were discovered in three chambers and a long cyst. The remains of one man and five children were found in what may have been a sacrificial burial behind a large stone at a false entrance.
Bloody Acre Camp, Cromhall. A small Iron Age hillfort in a wooded area of Tortworth Park, North of Cromhall, probably the best remaining of a group. It has steep sides above a stream 100 feet below.
Brackenbury Ditches, North Nibley. This Iron Age site can be approached from a minor road to the N.W. of Bournstream and is situated on a west-facing spur in 6 acres of woodland. On the south side is a hollowed path which may have been the original entrance. The banks and ditches, though widely spaced in parts, follow the contours of the hillside. See also Wotton Under Edge.
Bulwarks, Minchinhampton. Much controversy and many interpretations have surrounded these extensive Iron Age banks and ditches scattered over Minchinhampton Common. The largest of them is known as The Bulwarks and is one and a half miles of curved dyke, originally 23 feet wide , cut into solid rock, the debris of which forms a 5 feet high bank, retained by a drystone wall. Many other remains are visible in the area.
Cow Common Barrow, Swell. This Neolithic/Bronze Age cemetery situated two and a half miles West of Lower Swell, consists of ten round barrows and one long barrow. Remains found include several cremations as well as skeletons, also Neolithic pottery and spoons. Other nearby barrows have not been excavated.
Crickley Hill, Coberley. 9 acres of fort approached from A417 off the Air Balloon Public House roundabout, much affected by quarrying. Ramparts of 9 feet and a ditch of 8 feet with lesser works nearby including round barrows of which nothing of their contents are known.
Gatcombe Lodge Chambered Long Barrow. A long barrow of 180 feet, with false entrance. An accessible chamber in the north side contained a single skeleton. A large slab nearby may be the coverstone of another chamber. This barrow is situated in the trees to the north of Gatcombe Park.
Haresfield Iron Age Beacon. This National Trust Property is passed through by a minor road from Haresfield to Whiteshill. This is a 16 acre site enclosed by a single rampart and ditch and has remarkable views of the Severn Valley.
Hetty Peglars Tump. This Neolithic "trancepted gallery grave" has a 22 feet long access tunnel with two chambers leading off to each side and a chamber at the end . Accessible from B 4066 near Nympsfield. Torch needed.
Horton Camp Hillfort, Chipping Sodbury. A steep-sided hill south of Horton is topped by a much damaged fort of 5 acres. It may have some connection with Sodbury Camp to the south.
Lamborough Banks Chambered Long Barrow, Bibury. This280 feet long barrow contained a single burial in a single chamber with a false entrance. To the south-east is a beehive shaped chamber which may not have been a burial chamber. These Neolithic remains resemble others at Bibury and Cow Common.
Leckhampton Hill Hillfort and Barrow. These Iron Age remains are accessible from a minor road off the B4070 and consist of an 8 acre semi-circular fort, defended by steep cliffs and ramparts. The remains of guard chambers lie at the entrance.
Leighterton Long Barrow. Situated to the west of the village, this is one of the largest at about 280, feet long. However, its three chambers and false entrance have vanished.
Lodge Park Long Barrow, Eastington. 150 feet long barrow to the south east of Northleach. Upright stones and cover stone remain at south east entrance.
Lydney Hillfort and Temple. Permission needed for viewing from the estate office. A site used by many different peoples, including Roman. 50 feet of underground iron mines of 3rd. Century with original pick marks can be visited. Protective clothing and lights necessary. The Roman Temple has mosaics, cubicles and a bathing suite where visitors came for healing. Nearby are the remains of a motte-and-bailey.
Nan Tow's Tump, Didmarton. This large round barrow is situated 10 miles south of Stroud. Famous because the local witch was supposed to have been buried upright in the barrow.
Notgrove Long Barrow. This Neolithic site contained some interesting remains which can be seen in Cheltenham Museum. Now in a ruinous state, this site had a gallery grave, two ante-chambers, and a domed structure of 23 feet in diameter, containing a crouched skeleton of a man of 50 - 60 years. 6 adults, 3 children, a baby and a young woman were also found, also some evidence of elaborate burial rituals.
Nottingham Hill Hillfort, Gotherington. This muddy Iron Age site is approached by a farmtrack to the north east of Cleeve Hill and has double banks and ditches with good views across to adjacent forts on Bredon Hill.
Nympsfield Long Barrow, Frocester. 20 to 30 burials were found here, also pottery and an arrow head. Some post holes and remains of fires may indicate elaborate burial rituals. Now deteriorating rapidly.
Painswick Beacon, Kimsbury. Iron Age fort situated on a spur overlooking Gloucester. Badly damaged by quarrying and a golf coarse. This 7 acre triangular site has close-set double ramparts and ditches. See also Painswick.
Pole's Wood South Long Barrow, Swell. 180 feet long Neolithic barrow with irregular chambers. The remains of 12 individuals, pottery ,a spear-head, broaches and beads were found. Other barrows are situated nearby.
Randwick Long Barrow. This Neolithic barrow is situated in Standish Wood, on National Trust property, and contained a single chamber in which were found a mass of bones, some of them Roman. Crouching skeletons were found outside.
Rodmarton Windmill Tump, Inaccessible site in the middle of a ploughed field south of road between Rodmarton and Cherington. 10 adult and 3 child remains were found in rectangular chambers. This Neolithic barrow has a fine false entrance and two porthole entrances.
Salmonsbury Camp, Bourton. Situated between the river Dickler and Bourton-on-the-Water, this square-shaped camp of 56 acres was originally protected by marshes on two sides and low gravel banks and ditches on the others. Foundations of a wooden hut and iron currency bars were also found.
Sodbury Camp, Chipping Sodbury. Access to this rectangular Iron Age camp is by farm track from A46. 11 acres in size, it has twin ramparts 13 feet above the outside of the camp. It is one of the best hillforts on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment.
Soldier's Grave Barrow, Nympsfield. This round barrow contained the scattered remains of 28 people and Bronze Age pottery pieces. Situated north of Nympsfield long barrow. The burial chamber is no longer visible.
Tingle Stone Long Barrow, Avening. This Neolithic site gets its name from a standing stone to the north, which is supposed to run round the field when the clock strikes twelve. No chambers have been found.
Uleybury Hillfort, Uley. This unexcavated Iron Age fort is accessible from the B 4066 and Uley by footpaths. Ramparts and a ditch enclose a 32 acre site, with large mound at the South entrance. A 300 foot drop gives spectacular views across the Severn Valley and beyond.
West Tump Long Barrow, Birdlip. Situated in Buckle Woods west of B4070, this barrow is 150 feet long and has a single chamber which contained 20 remains and , on raised stones, the remains of a young woman and baby.
Windrush Camp, Windrush. Between Northleach and Burford is a circular plateau fort of 6 acres. Only the bank is visible, the rest having been ploughed over.
Rollright Stones. The stuff of which many legends are made. An unexcavated site next to the county boundary road, North of Little Rollright, the stones that form the circle are said to be uncountable. Nearby stand the ever-frozen King Stone and Whispering Knights.

Return to the Cotswold HyperGuide Home Page