Although not as impressive or large as the nearby bank barrow on St. Martin's down to the west, a pair of banks so close to each other is a rarity. The eastern most lies at the head of a small north facing valley and is orientated west/east parallel to the ridge of the hill. It shows itself as a low bank with a ditch either side of it.
The more westerly of the two is at a slight angle to the ridge and is much more visible, standing about two metres at it's highest point, it too has a ditch on both sides of it.
Perhaps the most interesting barrow on the site is to the west of the banks. It is a medium sized bowl barrow with a large sarsen stone on top of it. The stone is a concretion of pebbles very much like the stones which make up the Hellstone cromlech a few miles to the south of this site.
There are various other barrows to the west and east of this site and it is of course directly north of the poor lot barrows.
[visited 11/9/4] September in Dorset can really get chilly, especially on top of the southern hills. Don't let that stop you coming to look at this beauty however. Two bank barrows are marked on the map though only one is really obvious and its a delight. It points just to the North of the Long Bredy Bank barrow which is clearly visible on the hill to the west. Whilst not as big as that one, this is still longer than most long barrows and holds an unexpected delight. Unmarked on the OS map is a large round barrow with a huge sarsen stone on it top, a definate bonus. Looking at The Ancient Stones of Dorset, Peter Knight calls it "Kingston Russell Barrow 5".
Look to the South from up here and you can see the extended hill containing the Grey Mare and Kingston Russell circle. Poor lot is below you to the North and you can see to the horizon in most directions. I've been thinking a good deal about the purpose of these Bank Barrows and indeed similarly placed Long Barrows. Riding the crest of a hill, a man-made white streak visible for miles. A sign for the gods or a marker to all who enter these parts that this is taken. Access is up about 3 fields from the A35 carefully avoiding cowpats...
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