Winchcombe, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5AL

Belas Knap Long Barrow

Prehistoric

Source image

7.2

Wildland

1–2 hours for the barrow visit and approach

Time

Free

Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

HillsRemote countrysideWalkersHistory loversFamilies

Why it's Wildland

7.2

A Neolithic burial monument with a false entrance and side chambers. Excavations in 1863 and 1865 found the remains of 31 people; the barrow was later restored.

Belas Knap makes you work for its story: the approach climbs through woodland and fields before arriving at a restored Neolithic tomb with a deliberately false entrance and side chambers. It is a particularly fine long barrow, and the physical details reward a slower look than a quick roadside stop.

Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Wild

Find your way

Open map

Winchcombe, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5AL

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

Know this place a little better?

Add photos Add video Add a waypoint Improve information Report a change

The experience

Follow the public footpath from the Cotswold Way lay-by, climb through woodland and fields, then spend time examining the restored barrow, its false entrance and side chambers. The site is also a stop on the Cotswold Way.

Things to do

Walk up to the barrow

Follow the public footpath from the Cotswold Way lay-by. The approach is just over half a mile and climbs steeply through woodland and fields; expect two stiles and a kissing gate.

Inspect the false entrance and side chambers

Belas Knap is a restored Neolithic long barrow with a false entrance and side chambers. The official account says excavations in 1863 and 1865 found the remains of 31 people in the chambers.

Pause along the Cotswold Way

The barrow lies on the Cotswold Way National Trail and is identified by English Heritage as a place to stop and explore while walking the trail.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · The approach is just over half a mile from the lay-by; total visit duration is not specified.

Quick Escape: climb to the barrow

01
Park in the limited lay-by on Cotswold Way.
02
Cross the road and follow the public footpath through woodland and fields.
03
Climb to the barrow and look closely at its false entrance and side chambers.
04
Return by the same path.

Half day · Not specified; allow for the steep walk to and from the barrow and a separate visit to Hailes Abbey.

Make a half day of it: barrow and abbey

01
Visit Belas Knap by the public footpath from the Cotswold Way lay-by.
02
Take time to examine the false entrance and side chambers.
03
Continue to Hailes Abbey, listed by English Heritage as 3.4 miles from Belas Knap.
04
Check the Hailes Abbey visitor information before setting out.

Verified history

Belas Knap is a Neolithic long barrow. English Heritage describes it as a particularly fine example, with a false entrance and side chambers. Excavations in 1863 and 1865 found the remains of 31 people in the chambers; the monument has since been restored. It is managed by Gloucestershire County Council.

Hidden details

The entrance that was never meant to be an entrance — The barrow has a false entrance as well as side chambers. Make a point of identifying this architectural feature rather than treating the mound as a single undifferentiated structure.

Evidence from the excavations — Excavations in 1863 and 1865 found the remains of 31 people in the chambers. The supplied official account does not give further detail about their identities or the circumstances of burial.

A walk with practical obstacles — The route from the lay-by crosses woodland and fields and includes two stiles and a kissing gate. English Heritage also flags uneven surfaces, a steep climb and possible grazing livestock.

When to go

· Daylight hours; no specific time of day is recommended by the supplied official source.

The site is open throughout the year during daylight hours. The supplied sources do not establish a season-specific highlight.

The approach is steep and includes uneven surfaces across woodland and fields. Check conditions before visiting and take care on the climb.

Worth pairing with

Hailes Abbey

English Heritage lists Hailes Abbey 3.4 miles from Belas Knap and identifies it as one of four Gloucestershire long barrows in its care that can be visited as part of a circular tour. Check its visitor information before planning a combined visit.

Winchcombe

English Heritage says toilets, shops and places to eat are a short drive away in Winchcombe. Specific businesses are not identified in the supplied evidence.

What to look for

01
Look for the false entrance and the side chambers. These are distinctive features of the monument
02
excavations in 1863 and 1865 found the remains of 31 people in the chambers. The approach also crosses woodland and fields, with uneven surfaces and livestock possible.

The story

Archaeology

Best time to go

Open daily all year during daylight hours. Choose a clear, dry day if you want to enjoy the hilltop setting and views.

Visit during daylight hours. A clear, dry day should make the steep approach and hilltop setting more enjoyable; the official source gives no seasonal opening variation.

How long to spend

1–2 hours for the barrow visit and approach; longer if walking the Cotswold Way

Perfect for

Walkers · History lovers · Families

Before you go

Website Google Maps

Address

Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5AL

Phone

+44 370 333 1181

Website

english-heritage.org.uk

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.6 · 504 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

Free entry. Open daily during daylight hours. The barrow is just over half a mile from the limited lay-by parking on Cotswold Way; reaching it involves a steep climb through woodland and fields, two stiles and a kissing gate. Uneven surfaces and livestock may be present.

Parking

Limited parking in the lay-by on Cotswold Way. The public footpath to the barrow begins across the road. Parking cost is not specified.

Toilets

No facilities at the site are confirmed by the supplied official source; toilets are available a short drive away in Winchcombe.

Food & drink

Shops and places to eat are available a short drive away in Winchcombe. No food service is listed at the site.

Dogs

Dogs may encounter grazing sheep on the approach and should be kept on leads.

Accessibility

The approach is a steep climb through woodland and fields, with two stiles, a kissing gate and uneven surfaces. The supplied source states that the car park and entrance are not wheelchair-accessible.

Cost

Free