Near Nettleton and Castle Combe, Wiltshire
Lugbury Longbarrow
Prehistoric
Source image
4.7
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
4.7At Lugbury, a long earthen mound preserves the remains of a Neolithic chamber: a fallen limestone capstone rests against two upright stones at the eastern end. Excavations in the 19th century uncovered multiple burial chambers and human remains.
Lugbury earns its place for a tangible encounter with a prehistoric burial monument: the surviving chamber stones make the scale and construction of the long mound easier to imagine. Access and the precise visitor approach still need checking before a visit.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapNear Nettleton and Castle Combe, Wiltshire
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
A focused heritage stop rather than a fully evidenced day-out destination. First verify access and the approach; if access is confirmed, look closely at the mound’s long profile and the surviving chamber stones without climbing on or entering the monument unless current guidance explicitly permits it.
Things to do
Look for the chamber stones
The site account describes a limestone capstone leaning against two upright stones at the eastern end of the mound. Observe them only from a place where access is permitted.
Brief stop
Trace the mound’s alignment
The mound is described as lying on level ground and oriented west–east. Its long profile is the simplest feature to read on the landscape, if access is confirmed.
Brief stop
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour, excluding travel
Read the long mound
- 01
Check access and the approach before setting out; the supplied map pin is not a verified entrance.
- 02
If access is confirmed, observe the mound’s long west–east form and the surviving chamber remains from a permitted place.
- 03
Look for the limestone capstone and the two upright stones described at the eastern end; do not climb on or enter the monument without explicit permission.
Verified history
Lugbury is described as an Early Neolithic long barrow, built around 3700 BC and used as a burial place. Richard Hoare partially excavated it in 1821. George Scrope excavated the site in 1854–55, with a report by John Thurnam; the account records four chambers, three containing a total of 26 adult and child skeletons, as well as flint flakes. The surviving chamber remains include a large limestone capstone leaning against two upright stones. The monument is listed as scheduled, with designation dated 10 August 1923 in the supplied account.
Hidden details
The chamber is only part of the story — The visible chamber remains are at the eastern end, while the 19th-century excavation account records four chambers in all. The other chambers are not described as visible visitor features.
A crouched burial recorded in 1821 — Richard Hoare’s partial excavation reportedly found the skeleton of a young man in a crouched position near the eastern end. This is an excavation record, not a visible feature to look for today.
When to go
· No evidence supplied to identify a best time of day.
The supplied sources do not establish a seasonal highlight.
Check conditions and the approach before travelling; route surface and ground conditions have not been verified.
What to look for
- 01
The west–east alignment of the mound
- 02
the surviving chamber remains towards its eastern end
- 03
the large limestone capstone leaning against two upright stones. These features are described in the supplied site account.
The story
Neolithic burial monument; archaeological excavation
Best time to go
No season-specific advantage is established by the supplied sources; check access and ground conditions before travelling.
No best time is evidenced. Check access and weather before travelling; wet ground may make an unverified approach harder.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Walkers
Before you go
Address
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
Practical information
Opening & access
Public access and the approach have not been verified. Check access with a reliable local or heritage source before setting out; do not assume the map pin marks an entrance. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
Check before visiting; no verified parking information supplied.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
Check before visiting. The approach, paths and accessibility have not been verified.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Lugbury Longbarrow
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
