Devil's Quoit. .

Devil's Quoit

An ancient Neolithic burial chamber in the centre of a field, near the coast in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Formed by a large wedge-shaped capstone which is supported on the east by two large side stones

and the west by a third side stone which now lies on the ground. 

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Visit Date April 2022

In Wales, there are many of these types of burial sites and as in the rest of the UK, they can be referred to as Quoits, Dolmens or Chromlechs. In addition, the name "Devil's Quoit" is also commonly used for other sites and standing stones in the area.

The structures typically have three or more upright standing stones with a large capstone on top. Originally they would have been covered with earth.

In its current form, there is no mound to be seen but it was noted when investigated in 1810 that there was a large circular "Agger" or earthwork around the monument.

The pieces of the monument are of a reddish-brown conglomerate; the capstone measures 2.75m in length and is 2m wide. The uprights would be around 1.5 metres high.

There is little recorded about this site and the chamber is in the centre of a field on private land and is inaccessible due to the area being sealed off by an electrical fence. Despite this, The monument is of national importance and is a substantial relic of a prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape that may retain significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of both intact burial or ritual remains, and  environmental and structural evidence, including a buried prehistoric land surface.

The mount is on a peninsular of land with the sea to either side.

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Visit Information: -

Google Reference: -
51.66650404534974, -5.05761344477118

What Three Words reference: -
///windpipe.pays.premiums

OS Details: -
SM 88652 00842 Altitude: 204 ft

Additional information.
This is an important historical site, however, as it is in a field and on private land, surrounded by an electrical fence therefore a close visit is not possible however, the site can be seen from the road and a small pull-in by the field gate is possible.

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Hadleigh Castle

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Hadleigh Castle

Hadleigh castle's history began in about 1215 when constructed by Hubert de Burgh, but its most important time was to come later when extensively refortified during the Hundred Years War, becoming a strategic defence overlooking the Thames estuary.

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Visit Date June2022

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In 1215 King John bestowed many gifts to his chief minister Hubert de Burgh and the Manor of Hadleigh was just one of them.

Herbert was a loyal follower of King John and was to repay some of the king's kindness when he proved himself as a fine military man when he lead the successful defence of Dover castle during a fierce attempted siege in 1216.

During the young Henry III's childhood, Hubert was a very important influence on the young king and during this time he built this large turreted castle on the Manor of Hadleigh as a statement of his power. 

However the young king brought up by priests became devoted to church, art and learning, subsequently after quarrels with the king, Herbert's career and influence waned and he was forced to return his lands, including Hadleigh in 1239.

The castle remained in royal hands for many years however, it was not until almost 100 years later in the time of Edward II, that the castle was to be used as a royal residence.

By the time Edward II son became King Edward III the castle was to become important in the defence of England. Edward III tried to claim the French throne which led to war with France. He immediately realised the importance of the castle as it was ideally situated as a base for defending the Thames estuary against French raids during the Hundred Years War.

The barbican and two striking drum towers – one later used by Georgian revenue men looking out for smugglers – are part of Edward's substantial building works during the 1360s.

Unfortunately for the history of the castle Edward III's subsequent successors took little interest in the castle as a residence and the importance of the castle began to recede. This resulted in the castle being leased to a succession of tenants.

The demise of the castle proper came about when it was eventually sold to Lord Riche in 1551, Riche had even less interest in the castle and this led to him eventually selling it off as building materials.

Today as you can see not much remains of the castle but the setting of the ruins adds to the enjoyment of a visit to this site of once historical importance.

During the demolition, a tiled hearth was built into the floor of the hall to melt down the valuable window leads.

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Visit Information: -

Google Reference: -
51.544610767349745, 0.6090745734243965

What Three Words reference: -
///mute.tile.gently

OS Details: -
TQ 81002 86071 Altitude: 158 ft

Additional information.
This is a fine ruin in a very beautiful setting. It gets busy with walker and is popular for picnics.
There is a good size car park at Hadleigh Farm (51.54785716762494, 0.6068869826787562) This is the site of a rare breeds farm and there is also tea rooms here.
The castle is a short well signposted 15 minute walk from here.

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