Nympsfield Long Barrow
Explore a 5000-year-old Neolithic burial site with stunning panoramic views of the Gloucestershire countryside.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Stunning countryside views
Nympsfield Long Barrow
Best Time
Stunning countryside views
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore a 5000-year-old Neolithic burial site with stunning panoramic views of the Gloucestershire countryside.
"Absolutely stunning place to visit (particularly on a sunny day!). Phenomenal views that stretch for miles."
🚗 Campervan Parking Alert
Car park has height restrictions; larger vehicles may need to park on the verge. :car:
☀️ Best for Sunny Days
The views are phenomenal on a clear day, making it ideal for picnics. :sunny:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Nympsfield Long Barrow Interior
The Barrow itself
Explore the internal layout of a Cotswold-Severn type barrow, a Neolithic burial site dating back 5000 years.
Panoramic Cotswold Views
Hilltop surrounding the Barrow
Enjoy breathtaking, miles-stretching views across the Gloucestershire countryside.
Neolithic History
The Barrow site
Contemplate this ancient burial site, one of the earliest examples of a barrow with separate chambers.
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Planning Your Visit
Accessing the Barrow
Best Time for Views
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Campervan Parking Alert
Car park has height restrictions; larger vehicles may need to park on the verge. :car:
☀️ Best for Sunny Days
The views are phenomenal on a clear day, making it ideal for picnics. :sunny:
🚶♀️ Explore the Interior
You can access the inside of this ancient Neolithic burial site.
📜 Learn the History
A single sign explains the history of this 5000-year-old long barrow. :scroll:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Campervan Parking Alert
Car park has height restrictions; larger vehicles may need to park on the verge. :car:
☀️ Best for Sunny Days
The views are phenomenal on a clear day, making it ideal for picnics. :sunny:
🚶♀️ Explore the Interior
You can access the inside of this ancient Neolithic burial site.
📜 Learn the History
A single sign explains the history of this 5000-year-old long barrow. :scroll:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Nympsfield Long Barrow for its stunning panoramic views and the unique opportunity to explore a 5000-year-old Neolithic burial site. The picnic facilities and generous car park are also highlighted as positives. However, some note that the barrow itself is a small site with limited visible remains beyond the historical sign.
"Absolutely stunning place to visit (particularly on a sunny day!). Phenomenal views that stretch for miles, with pretty decent picnic facilities (benches and tables). Open access to the 5000 year old Long Barrow too. Very generously sizes car park too. This will be a great place to sit and enjoy in the summer."
Paul Whitey
"Long Barrow General information
In the southwest corner of Mercia,
in the Cotswold Severn area, there are 200 known examples of barrows. This area has the highest concentration in the country.
Most were constructed in the early and middle Neolithic period from earthen or drystone mounds with flanking ditches and acted as funerary and ritual monuments.
Later, Norse invaders who settled following the raids also utilised barrows/cairns for burials inland.
Barrows are the communal burial places for Britain's early farming communities. However, often only certain parts of the human skeleton were selected for internment which makes for some interesting speculation as to why.
Nympsfield Long Barrow, Gloucestershire
Constructed in the Neolithic period.
There are two projecting horns and large forecourt likely for ritual.
Scattered remains of 22 human skeletons, along with pottery, flint arrowheads and perforated dog whelk shell pendant have been excavated. (A dog whelk is a predatory sea snail found around the coasts of Europe and in the northern west Atlantic coast of North America.)
The skeleton of a child was enclosed in a stone cist in the northern burial chamber. The Barrow was in use for two centuries.
Local legends advise that the site was used by lepers.
The stones are fabled to move around and roll down and up the nearby hills of their own volition.
Another local legend reports that a man stole a stone however the stone wailed so much that he was forced to return it.
There are tales of ghosts that haunt the area. One tale reports sighting a man holding a sword or club which fades away."
Zobo 75
"Beware the car park is height restricted, so if traveling in a campervan you'll need to find a safe place on the verge to park. This is a small site with what is left of a long barrow. Single sign explains it's history."
Jarrod Hunt
What People Like
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Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Nympsfield Long Barrow is located in Gloucestershire. While specific public transport details are scarce, it's often visited as part of a scenic drive through the Cotswolds. The site has a car park, but be aware of height restrictions for larger vehicles.
Yes, there is a car park available. However, it's important to note that the car park has a height restriction, so campervans or larger vehicles might need to find alternative parking on the verge.
Information on direct public transport to Nympsfield Long Barrow is limited. It's best accessed by car, allowing you to explore the surrounding Cotswolds villages like Uley and Woodchester.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Nympsfield Long Barrow is an open-access site, meaning you do not need to purchase tickets to visit. You can explore the grounds and the barrow itself freely.
As an open-access historical site, Nympsfield Long Barrow does not have set opening hours. It is generally accessible during daylight hours, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace.
No, there is no entrance fee to visit Nympsfield Long Barrow. It's a free historical site for the public to enjoy and learn from.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can see the remains of a Neolithic burial site, explore its internal chambers, and enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. A sign provides historical context.
Yes, you can access the interior of the Nympsfield Long Barrow. It offers a clear view of the internal layout of a Cotswold-Severn type barrow.
The site offers pretty decent picnic facilities, including benches and tables, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the views.
Constructed in the Neolithic period around 2800 BC, it's one of the earliest examples of a barrow with separate chambers and was used for communal burials and rituals.
You can expect phenomenal views that stretch for miles across the Gloucestershire countryside, especially on a sunny day.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the ancient interior of the barrow, the expansive countryside vistas, and potentially a sunset if you time your visit right.
Absolutely! The hilltop location offers stunning panoramic views that are perfect for landscape photography, especially during golden hour.
Yes, you can take photos inside the barrow to document its unique Neolithic structure.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The site also provides picnic facilities, making it a pleasant spot for a family outing. While the historical context might require some explanation, the expansive views and the novelty of an ancient burial site can be engaging for younger visitors. Encourage them to imagine who might have been buried there and why. Remember to be mindful of the car park's height restriction if traveling with a larger family vehicle.
🚶♀️ History Enthusiasts
Consider researching the local legends and archaeological findings beforehand to enrich your visit. The barrow's construction and the artifacts discovered during excavations offer a compelling narrative of prehistoric life in Britain. The surrounding landscape also adds to the atmosphere, connecting the monument to its ancient environment.
📸 Photographers
Golden hour, particularly at sunset, can transform the rolling hills into a painterly scene, ideal for landscape photography.
The open access allows for flexible shooting times, though visiting on a clear day is recommended to maximize the visual impact of the views. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Neolithic History of Nympsfield Long Barrow
This type of barrow is characterized by its long mound and internal chambers, often accessed via a passage. Nympsfield is notable for offering a clear view of this internal layout, especially with its 'lid' removed. The discovery of a child's skeleton in a separate stone cist highlights the varied burial practices within the site. Local legends also add a layer of mystique, with tales of lepers using the site and stones moving on their own.
Visiting Nympsfield offers a tangible connection to Britain's prehistoric past. It’s a place to contemplate the lives and beliefs of people who lived thousands of years ago, set against a backdrop of beautiful countryside. The site is a testament to the enduring legacy of Neolithic architecture and ritual.
Experiencing the Views and Surroundings
The surrounding area also offers charming villages to explore, such as Uley and Woodchester, which are often visited in conjunction with the barrow. These villages provide a glimpse into traditional English countryside life. The combination of ancient history and stunning natural scenery makes Nympsfield a well-rounded destination for visitors.
Sunset visits can also be magical, offering a different perspective on the landscape and a serene end to a day of exploration.
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