Belas Knap
Having been caught-out on more than one occasion, I made special arrangements
before visiting Belas Knap Long Barrow. I had been forewarned that
although impressive, it had NO convenient parking spot anywhere near
it. 
The
nearest spot is to be found south of Winchcombe in Gloucestershire,
on a little road just off the B4632. That done, the only way to see
the site is via a very long and very uphill walk. Nevertheless, I was
prepared with all the rations I felt I may require and we set off.
However, it soon became clear that I had grossly underestimated the
scale of this undertaking. Experienced climbers would have blanched
at the near vertical ascent to Belas Knap. Sheep, unable to gain a
foot hold, tumbled past us bleating, until they were lost, tiny dots
in the distance. When the ground finally levelled out (a bit), it didn't
stop there! You have to go on and on and on.
Once
you do, at last, reach Belas Knap the first thing you notice is how fenced
in it is. Blimey, the farmers in Gloucestershire don't give much away
do they? The main consequence of this circumscription is that it is hard
to gain an overall impression of the site. You can only see it close
up. That said, it is mighty impressive. One end of the Tomb has some
great dry-stone panelling and a sneaky false doorway. Unlike many other
Neolithic chambered tombs Belas Knap contains no central passage;
instead the burial chambers are located in the sides of the mound, two
on one side, one on the other. These chambers have some size to them
but are a little over restored for my liking (either that or they are
in REALLY good nick).
As is often the case with these extremely remote places, Belas Knap was chilled beyond belief. You could easily while away a few hours here just taking in the tranquility of your surroundings. It really is beautiful. While you are there you can't fail to think of all those sad people rushing about, thinking that what they're doing is important. When they could be sat atop one of the oldest man made structures on earth, just chilling. Let's not tell them!