Situated within spitting distance of Cardiff are two fine monuments. The first is Tinkinswood (ST 092 733) a massive Severn/Cotswold long barrow, with reportedly the largest capstone in the UK. The three stones that form the front of the tomb are set back in a broad forecourt and make a panel 2m high and 3m wide. The inner chamber is 2m x 3m x 5m and is covered by a the single capstone. This is supported by a brick pillar, which was added in 1914 when the site was excavated. It is an incredibly peaceful spot, where not even the overhead power-lines dare to buzz and break the silence.
The chamber structure I found particlarly interesting. It is very simple: three stones across the front, a backstone and two huge sidestones (one missing) hold up a single, sloping capstone - the exact same structural configuration as a portal tomb (see fig. 10).
I was very disturbed to find over 10 candles stuck into crevices inside. Some people are so stupid. Hot wax cracks stone and kills lichen colonies. The floor inside was also littered with 'offerings', presumably left at the Summer Solstice. Do these people really believe that they are respecting these sites when they dump their crap like this!?
Just 1km down the road is a fine tomb at St Lythans (ST 101 723) (see fig. 11). I just love the amazing textures of the bumpy, bubbly stones used to construct this. The large capstone is raised over 2m off the ground by three very unusually shaped slabs. This chamber stands at the east end (facing east) of traces of a 30m long cigar-shaped mound. I always feel that it looks like four giant's scabs used as Lego.
It is uncertain if any more stones ever existed here. Is it another Severn/Cotswold tomb or is it a portal tomb? Its location and proximity to Tinkinswood suggests the former, but it feels like a portal tomb to me.
It was now getting late and so my plans to head way, way west to Gors Fawr stone circle for sunset had to be dropped. Instead I stopped of at The Pont-y-Pridd Rocking Stone (ST 082 901) (see fig. 12). This was said to be the original meeting place of the Druidical Gorsedd or Welsh Assembly of Bards. It stands above the town of Pont-y-Pridd (Bridge of Bridgit) and would have once looked down on this majestic valley where the rivers Taff and Rhodda. Today the view is blocked by shrubs.
