| Print | More

THE BRIDESTONES

ABOUT THIS MONUMENT

+ / -

EH Visitor Information
Related Monuments
Related Text
Investigation History

More Pictures
Modern Map
Old Map
Aerial Photograph

Monument Types
Sources
Thesaurus
Description

DESCRIPTION

+ / -

Neolithic chambered long cairn with segmented cist and cobbled forecourt, surviving as a structure.

DETAIL

+ / -

MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES

+ / -

[SJ 9061 6218] Bridestones [TI] Burial Chamber [NR] (1)

Remains of a Neolithic chambered long barrow (4) with segmented cist. In front of the chamber is a roughly cobbled forecourt set
within a curved facade of large uprights. [See plan (2)]
Excavated by the Dept. of Geography of Manchester Unviersity in
1936 and 1937. (3)
A Clyde - Carlingford outlier (5) (2-5)

The remains are as described and illustrated. See G.P. AO/64/223/4.

Published survey (25") revised. (6)

(SJ 9059 6218) Bridestones (NAT) Burial Chamber (NR) (7)

SJ 9059 6218. The Bridestones Neolithic chambered long cairn.
The monument is located on the W flank of Cloud Hill, a ridge forming a prominent N extension of Biddulph Moor, with extensive views across the Cheshire plain to the W. The chambered tomb measures 6m x 2.7m, made of large stone slabs set on edge and divided into two by a now broken cross slab. South of the chamber's entrance is a portal stone standing 3m high while N of the entrance is a re-positioned portal stone 1.2m high. To the E of the chamber is a forecourt originally surrounded by a complete or partial circle of stones of which three survive.

Limited excavation of the forecourt during the 1930s revealed
cobbling which included a charcoal layer containing flint blades and
a flint scraper. The long cairn covering the chamber was recorded
in 1764 as being c.110m long and 11m wide. It was largely carted
away for roadmaking that year. A second chamber in the centre of the
mound was recorded as measuring c.2.2m square x 1m high, and a third
chamber was noticed in 1766. A plan of the monument in 1766 shows
four portal stones - two N and two S of the chamber's entrance.
The forecourt was surrounded by six stones in semi-circular form
with two conjectural stones completing the circle. Two stones stood
within the circle and two stood outside the circle to the E.
Scheduled (RSM) No 13500. (8)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1954.

( 2) General reference

Prehistoric Cheshire 1940 p34 plan (W.J. Varley)

( 3) General reference

Trans Lancashire Cheshire Antiq Soc 53 1938 14-24 plans, photos, figs.

( 4) General reference

C W Phillips/31-DEC-1948/Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Record 6" Map

( 5) General reference

Neolithic Cultures of the British Isles 1954 p181 (Stuart Piggott)

( 6) Field Investigators Comments

T P Waggot/01-MAY-1964/Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigator

(7) General reference

OS 1:10000 1976

(8) General reference

English Heritage SAM Amendment 01-SEP-1993

MONUMENT TYPES

+ / -

COMMENTS

+ / -

Please help us keep our information accurate let us know if you see any errors on this page.

Further information about monuments may be obtained by contacting NMR Enquiry and Research Services , through the English Heritage website.

EH Archives
EH Prints
English Heritage
Heritage Explorer
Heritage Gateway
Images of England
National Heritage List for England
English Heritage Archive
ViewFinder