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Wayland's Smithy is a chambered long barrow located on the Berkshire Downs near Ashbury, originally constructed during the Neolithic period, with evidence suggesting two phases of monument building. The site comprises a mound containing a stone-built burial chamber, with archaeological investigation revealing that an earlier barrow underlay the later monument, indicating its use and reuse across generations. The long barrow was subsequently respected as a boundary marker in the Iron Age and Roman periods, when linear ditch systems were aligned to its position, demonstrating its continuing significance in the landscape long after its original funerary function. The monument remains one of the most substantial examples of its type in southern England and retains considerable archaeological potential.
Wayland's Smithy chambered long barrow, including an earlier barrow and Iron Age and Roman boundary ditches is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1008409. View the official record →
Wayland's Smithy is a chambered long barrow located on the Berkshire Downs near Ashbury, originally constructed during the Neolithic period, with evidence suggesting two phases of monument building. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1008409.
Wayland's Smithy chambered long barrow, including an earlier barrow and Iron Age and Roman boundary ditches is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1008409.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Ditch on Boydon Hole Farm (7.3 km), Bowl barrow on Farncombe Down, 500m south west of Baydon Hole (7.4 km), Bowl barrow on Sugar Hill (8.1 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Wayland's Smithy chambered long barrow, including an earlier barrow and Iron Age and Roman boundary ditches