Stoney Littleton Long Barrow

Address: Somerset

Opening hours: Stone Littleton Long Barrow can be visited from today to March 28, 2013 during the daylight hours. The schedule from beyond March 28 has not yet been confirmed. You might have to check the English Heritage website later on just to be sure you will be coming at a right time. Sometimes, an English Heritage site can be closed for public viewing.

Contact: English Heritage contact number 0870 333 1181

Stoney Littleton Long Barrow, which also goes by the name of Bath Tumulus and Wellow tumulus, is a tomb from the Neolithic period (approximately during the period of 4000 – 2500 BC). There is not a lot of evidence left as to the exact year the barrow was constructed. It is not just one tomb, however, but one that comes with several burial chambers. You can find this set of Severn-Cotswold tombs in Wellow village in Somerset. Today, it is considered to be the most accessible and the most preserved of its kind.

The barrow runs 30 metres (98 feet) long. It is also 15 metres (49 feet) wide near its southeast end. Its height is about 3 metres (10 feet). Inside the barrow, there is a gallery that runs 12.8 metres (42 feet). There are three pairs of chambers on the side. There is also what you can consider an end chamber. The door jamb by the left side is peppered by fossil ammonite to provide you more of that ancient feel.

Around 1816 or 1817, John Skinner was able to excavate the site. He went through a hole that was made back in 1760 or thereabouts. He found the human bones, some of which were burned. However, the exact number of people buried there cannot be gauged. Another man, the Lord of the Hundred, Mr T. R. Joliffe lead the restoration of the site in 1858.

Stoney Littleton Long Barrow is now being managed by English Heritage. It is one of many historical sites that have been chosen to be preserved as it presents a slice of English history, though the details are not clear.

If you are curious about the tombs, you may want to go visit. The admission is free for this adventure but you do have to make sure that you come during the day. You will, after all, be entering the barrow to inspect not just what it appears outside but also what has been preserved inside. You do have to carry a torch when you enter the barrow so that you can see.

Stone Littleton Long Barrow can be visited from today to March 28, 2013 during the daylight hours. The schedule from beyond March 28 has not yet been confirmed. You might have to check the English Heritage website later on just to be sure you will be coming at a right time. Sometimes, an English Heritage site can be closed for public viewing.