Name: Belas Knap Long Barrow
Rating: 5.0

Belas Knap Long Barrow

Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5AL, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Belas Knap is a particularly fine example of a Neolithic long barrow, with a false entrance and side chambers. Excavated in 1863 and 1865, the remains of 31 people were found in the chambers. The barrow has since been restored.

At Belas Knap the impressive entrance is a dummy and the burial chambers are entered from the sides of the barrow – when closed and covered by earth they would have been invisible from the outside.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Belas Knap is a particularly fine example of a Neolithic long barrow featuring a false entrance and independently accessible side chambers. Other examples, such as Uley and Nympsfield barrows, have strongly emphasised entrances with chambers opening out on either side of a central passage.
At Belas Knap the impressive entrance is a dummy and the burial chambers are entered from the sides of the barrow – when closed and covered by earth they would have been invisible from the outside.
It was probably constructed around 3000 BC and was used for successive burials over a period of years until eventually the burial chambers were deliberately blocked.
Opinion differs as to the reason for the false portal. It may have been to deter robbers, although little in the way of value has been found in undisturbed tomb chambers. Alternatively, it could be that the false entrance functioned as a ‘spirit door’, intended to allow the dead to come and go and partake of offerings brought to the tomb by their descendants.

Facilities

Parking: Limited parking is available in the lay-by on Cotswold Way. The walk to the barrow begins across the road from the lay-by along the public footpath.
Dogs: There may be sheep grazing in the fields en route to the barrow, so please keep dogs on leads.
Food & Drinks: There are places to eat a short drive away in Winchcombe.
Toilets: There are toilets a short drive away in Winchcombe.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belas-knap-long-barrow/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5AL, UK

Post Code: GL54 5AL

Council: Tewkesbury

County: Gloucestershire

Road Access: Near Charlton Abbots; 1⁄2 mile on Cotswold Way.
Bus Access: Castleways service 606 & N.N.Cresswell’s 656 to within 1 3⁄4 miles or Castleways 559 to Winchcombe village then walk.
Train Access: Cheltenham 9 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: Limited parking is available in the lay-by on Cotswold Way. The walk to the barrow begins across the road from the lay-by along the public footpath.