Belas Knap Long Barrow
Neolithic - Chambered Tomb
Constructed in the Neolithic, around 3000 BC, this particular chambered long barrow is typical of the kind of barrows found along the River Severn. In fact Belas Knap is considered the best of this kind. The barrow seems to be remarkably well preserved, but it was restored following excavations in the 1860s and again in the late 1920s.
- Site Information
- Photos
- Nearby Sites
- Comments (1)
Practical Information
Click map for large view
Location: England - South West - Gloucestershire - Winchcombe
Off the B4632, south of Winchcombe (signed). The Cotswold Way National Trail passes by Belas Knap.
Onsite Facilities: free entry, open year round, self guiding allowed
Official Website: Belas Knap Long Barrow
History & Archaeology
Belas Knap Long Barrow is typical of a type of long barrow referred to as the "Cotswold-Severn group". These barrows are trapezoid in shape and are scattered along the River Severn.
The impressive entrance is in fact a dummy entrance. The two entrances to the burial chambers are situated on the sides of the barrow. When the entrances were covered over with earth, they would have been invisible. The reason why dummy entrances were built is not understood.
The remains of 31 individuals were found in the various chambers, including some interments made during the Bronze Age.
Photos
Click thumbnail to see large version of photo.
Nearby Sites
Sites up to 50 km away as the crow flies. Click to see Nearby Sites on a Google Map.
- Hailes Abbey 5 km / 3 miles
- Chedworth Roman Villa 12 km / 8 miles
- Great Witcombe Roman Villa 17 km / 10 miles
- Corinium Museum 23 km / 15 miles
- Rollright Stones 28 km / 17 miles
- Nympsfield Long Barrow 33 km / 21 miles
- Uley Long Barrow 34 km / 21 miles
- Uffington White Horse 48 km / 30 miles
Site owner or manager? Proprietaires ou gestionnaires des sites?
Services
- Vacation Rentals in England
- Ancient Footprints Archaeological tours of Anglesey and North Wales - set and bespoke day tours, w/end breaks & holidays
Resources
-
England: An Archaeological Guide to Sites from earliest Times to AD 1600
by Timothy Darvill, Jane Timby and Paul Stamper(Oxford Archaeological Guides) (Amazon.com)
-
England: An Archaeological Guide to Sites from earliest Times to AD 1600
by Timothy Darvill, Jane Timby and Paul Stamper(Oxford Archaeological Guides) (Amazon.co.uk)
-
Visiting the Past
A Guide to Finding and Understanding Britain's Archaeology (Amazon.co.uk)
- Cotswolder Travel Guide [website]
Pauline (14 comments)
August 10, 2011
We walked to Belas Knap following the Cotswold Way National Trail from Winchcombe, but you can drive close to it and then walk a short trail. Here is a video showing the site: BBC - Mark Horton visits Belas Knap in Gloucestershire.