Nympsfield Long Barrow
We had gone to Stroud in the final throws of 2025 for the folklore and 2-in-1 pie but ended up with a trip full of Neolithic burial sites, Roman Villas, and epic castles.
So we ended up at Nympsfield Long Barrow because we were driving past and we're glad we did. It isn't Kit's Coty which we hold near and dear, but it is pretty cool all the same.
So this Neolithic burial chamber lies on the edge of a scarp of Jurassic Oolitic Limestone which matches the design of other Long Barrows in the area meaning that this is just how this particular settlement made them. Nympsfield has been excavated three times, first in 1862, then in 1937, and again in 1974. Collectively 23 bodies were found within the site and it seems that the remains of cremated children were placed in a separate cist. They found that the majority of the settlement buried here had common medical issues of the time, pretty basic ailments such as mouth infections and abscesses.
The experts reckon that after the bodies were interred that they were left for a while until a specific event took place that ended with the tomb being sealed over permanently. They think that the Haematite found in the mound was likely used as a face paint for the dead to make them appear alive. As well as the Haematite the digs found pig bones and signs of fire within the forecourt which indicates that there was a ritualised meal during the burial ceremony. They also found dog bones but aren't sure if they date to the original site or later on. Also found was a leaf shaped arrow head and shards of pottery, some of which was then reconstructed into vessels and a necked jar which is believed to be Ebbsfleet Ware. They also found Quartz pebbles at the blocking ends of the mound which was a common feature for the long barrows within the Cotswold-Severn Group of chambers. It is believed to be a symbolic feature but obviously we don't know what it represents.
When they first excavated in 1862 they found bird bones which was ground breaking as thus far it had been the only chambered barrow where these had been discovered. Since then they've been discovered in several other sites, so sadly Nympsfield doesn't stand out anymore.
We do know that the site was also occupied in both Iron Age and Roman times but otherwise this neolithic chamber is pretty much what it says on the tin, a burial chamber for this area's settlement which is similar to others nearby like Uley.
We enjoyed our visit here, especially as it is also a little picnic area for what seems to be a greater nature reserve. We'd come again with some food if we were in the area. No doubt haunted, we wouldn't want to be here after dark, but it is a sweet spot for sure!
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