Durdle Door

Durdle Door is a notable limestone arch situated on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, England. 

It boasts a rich geological history, an ancient name, and has inspired various cultural works.

Visit Date June 2025

Durdle Door

The formation of Durdle Door is a result of complex geological processes spanning millions of years.

The story of initial sedimentation began approximately 140 to 150 million years ago during the late Jurassic period when the area was covered by a warm, shallow sea. Over time, layers of sediment and debris, primarily composed of clay, silt, sand, and limestone (known as Portland Stone), were gradually deposited.

Coastline west of Durdle door indicating a small arch formation in the distance.

Around 70 million years ago, tectonic forces caused the Earth's crust to experience folding and uplifting, forming a dome-like structure known as the Lulworth anticline. This process resulted in the rock layers being tilted, almost standing on end.

Durdle Door was formed on a concordant coastline, where layers of rock run parallel to the shoreline. The arch itself is made of resistant Portland Limestone, which is harder than the surrounding rock layers. Over time, the relentless pounding of waves against the coastline gradually eroded the softer rocks behind this harder limestone. This process of differential erosion initially created a notch at the base of the cliff, which then developed into a cave. Eventually, as the cave eroded completely through the hard stone, it transformed into the distinctive arch we see today.

Click on any image for a larger view

Durdle Door is a "process halfway finished." The coastline is dynamic and prone to erosion, leading to occasional rockfalls and landslides. The arch is expected to eventually collapse, creating a sea stack, it is likely to occur during a strong storm, as ongoing erosion weakens the structure.

Coastline east of Durdle door showing 'sea stacks'

The name "Durdle Door" is believed to have ancient origins, possibly dating back over a thousand years, although early written records are limited.

The word "Durdle" is derived from the Old English word "thirl," meaning "to pierce," "bore," or "drill". This, in turn, comes from "thyrel," meaning "hole"

The term "Door" in the name likely refers to the arch's unique arched shape. In the late 19th century, it was also known as the "Barn Door" due to its design, which was tall enough for a sailing boat to pass through.

In the late 18th century, it was referred to as the "magnificent arch of Durdle Rock Door." Early 19th-century maps featured variations of the name, such as "Duddledoor," "Durdle," and "Dudde Door." The first Ordnance Survey map, published in 1811, officially named it "Dirdale Door."

Durdle Door appears in Folklore, Myths, and Popular Culture

Arthur Moule, a Dorset-born missionary and friend of Thomas Hardy, wrote about Durdle Door in his 1879 book of poetry, Songs of Heaven and Home, written in a foreign Land.

Coastal walk marker at Durdle Door.

Durdle Door has been featured in several films, including *Wilde* (1997) with Stephen Fry, *Nanny McPhee* with Emma Thompson, the 1967 *Far From The Madding Crowd*, and the Bollywood film *Housefull*. Most recently, it appeared in the 2022 *Doctor Who* episode "The Power of the Doctor," where the Thirteenth Doctor regenerated.

Parts of music videos for Tears for Fears' "Shout," Billy Ocean's "Loverboy," Cliff Richard's "Saviour's Day," and Bruce Dickinson's "Tears of the Dragon" were filmed at Durdle Door.

Footer:Visit Information: -
Google Reference: -
50.62127062504596, -2.2762703993436575

What Three Words reference: -
///crabmeat.inversely.chat

OS Details: -

Grid Ref: SY 80524 80195 Elevation: 74 ft 

Additional information.

Visiting is easy and there is a public car park at the site (50.62416344362244, -2.269425401934578).

Access is well signposted off the B3070 near Burngate and onto Church Road. On this road it feels like you are entering a holiday park but continue to follow the signs and you will eventually come to the car park. Access then is along the coastal path down to the site and beach. There is a steep climb down to the viewing area and if you wish to get to the beach it is a further climb down many steps. This is difficult if you have poor mobility.

At the car park there is refreshments and toilet services. This place gets very busy, especially in the summer months.

The car park is not free and there is a number plate recognition system in use and payment is made by card on leaving.

A full list of blogs can be found at my website

Read More

Harold's Stones

Harold's Stones

In the village of Trellech, three megaliths stand. The village likely got its name from these stones, translating to either 'village of stones' or 'three stones.' The name derives from 'tri' (Welsh for three) and 'llech' (meaning flat stone).

Visit Date January 2025

Harold's Stones : Trellech

These three large standing stones in a 12-metre alignment, all three are leaning at angles but it is unlikely that this is deliberate.

Harold's Stones : Trellech

Although a relatively small village in modern times, Trellech in Monmouthshire was one of the largest towns in Wales in the 13th century.

Harold's stones are in a 12-metre alignment with a possible fourth stone being robbed away or destroyed in the late 18th century. The stones are of a conglomerate rock that's known as pudding stone. All the stones lean at different angles with the tallest being over 4 metres in height. 

Harold's Stones : Trellech

A font in the local church has a carving of the stones with the stones numbered 8, 10 and 14 which is thought to be the height of each stone at that time.

Harold's Stones : Trellech

The precise reason for the erection of the stones is unknown however, they may have been for ritual, though an astronomical use is not out of the question.

The stones create an approximate line running between the north-east and south-west at an azimuth of about 229°, likely indicating the midwinter sunset, although the possibility of the midsummer sunrise cannot be dismissed due to the imprecise alignment today due to the movement.

Harold's Stones : Trellech

The central stone of the three has been dressed to smooth its surface and bears two large cup marks on its face.

Harold's Stones : Trellech

There is much folklore associated with the stones.

The origin of the name "Harold's Stones" remains a mystery. Local legend suggests that these stones were erected to commemorate the victory of the Saxon king Harold over the Britons. However, this theory is unlikely, as the stones date back at least 2,000 years before Harold's time. Another legend claims that they mark the location where three British chieftains fell in battle against Harold. Despite being associated with Harold's victory over the Britons, the stones are much older than that.

Click on any image for a larger version

As another story goes, Jack o'Kent, a giant, quarrelled with the Devil on Trellech Beacon, which is the hill located directly east of Trellech. The Devil challenged Jack to a throwing match. Jack threw first, but the Devil managed to throw his object a bit farther. However, Jack, probably with his eyes closed and one hand behind his back, threw just a bit farther than the Devil. In frustration, the Devil ran off.

The location of this event varies depending on who tells the story. Some versions claim that the competition took place on Sugar Loaf Mountain, while a third version cites Skirrid Fawr, also known as Holy Mountain, as the site of the contest.

Footer:Visit Information: -
Google Reference: -
51.74277538693781, -2.7265470451085365

What Three Words reference: -
///jeep.pylon.streetcar

OS Details: -
OS Grid Ref: SO 49927 05145 Elevation: 206 m 

Additional information.

Visiting is easy and there is a public car park close to the site (51.74405088914131, -2.7246217913570847) There is just a short walk along the road to the site however, this has no pavement so care will be needed. The site is marked with a monument sign.

There are no facilities at the site but there is a pub in the village and also you may be lucky enough to have tea in the village hall!

A full list of blogs can be found at my website

Read More

The Church of the Holy Cross, Mwnt.

The Church of the Holy Cross (Welsh: Eglwys y Grog)

 in Mwnt, Ceredigion, Wales. 

A parish church and a Grade I listed building, 

likely dating from the 13th century.

Visit Date March 2025

The Church of the Holy Cross, Mwnt.

The Church of the Holy Cross is an example of a medieval sailors' chapel of ease, allowing sailors to attend church without traveling all the way to the village of Mwnt.

Click on any image to see a larger version

The site is said to have been used since the Age of the Saints (about 410-700 AD).

The coast at Mwnt

The dedication to the Holy Cross likely references a stone cross that once stood atop Foel y Mwnt, the conical hill directly behind the church.

The cross would also have been visible for many miles out to sea,  attracting pilgrims who drew their boats up on the sandy beach at the base of the cliffs.

A pilgrims way wall hanging

Mwnt gained a reputation among early Christians as a stopover for the bodies of saints being transported to Bardsey Island for burial. Its location also made it a convenient resting place for pilgrims traveling to St. David's, further down the coast.

North wall showing blocked lancet

On the north wall, there is a small blocked lancet window that may have permitted lepers—who were not allowed inside churches—to view the high altar during services.

The Church of the Holy Cross, Mwnt.

On the north wall, remnants of a medieval rood stair can be found, and timbers from the 15th-century rood loft, embellished with rose carvings, are set into the wall.

Click on any image to see a larger version

The interior consists of a single chamber featuring deep-set windows and a unusually designed roof.

The font

It has an example of a 12th- or 13th-century font made of Preseli stone.

The coast at Mwnt

In 1155, a group of Flemish soldiers landed at Mwnt but were repelled by the local Welsh after fierce fighting. A nearby stream still bears the name Nant y Fflymon, meaning the Flemings' Brook.

The Church of the Holy Cross, Mwnt.

Over the centuries, many human bones have been unearthed. It is believed that the bodies from the battle were buried in the farmer’s field.

The Church of the Holy Cross, Mwnt.

The victory achieved by the local Welsh inhabitants in the area was commemorated, at least in the 18th century when the events were recorded, through secular games held on the first Sunday in January. These games were referred to as “Coch y Mwnt,” which translates to "the Bloody Sunday of Mount."

The Church of the Holy Cross, Mwnt.

The nearby farm features a well named Ffynnon Grog, known as the well of the cross, along with Nant y Flymon, which translates to Fleming’s brook. 

Mwnt was a civil parish for several centuries. However, before the 17th century, it served as a detached chapelry of the parish of Llangoedmor. Since 1934, Mwnt has been part of the parish of Y Ferwig, which consists of a parish church and a few houses. This community includes the villages of Penparc, Felinwynt, Tremain, Mwnt, and Gwbert, as well as Cardigan Island and the National Trust area of Mwnt.

Footer:Visit Information: -
Google Reference: -
52.13694896383402, -4.638645221098706

What Three Words reference: -
///echo.dwarf.mission

OS Details: -
OS Grid Ref: SN 19504 52017 

Additional information.

Visiting is easy and there is a car park close to the site (52.135662647388045, -4.638483304444649) This is run by the national trust and is free for members but charges do apply for non-members.

There were no facilities when I visited in March however there is a cafe (Caban Mwnt) a short walk from the car park  (52.1347209027339, -4.639436590459322).

The roads to the site are well maintained single track country roads with passing points. 

I believe this site can become very busy in the summer with visitors to the beach and surrounding areas. 

.

A full list of blogs can be found at my website

Read More

Arthur's Stone

Like many prehistoric monuments in western England and Wales, 

this monument has been linked to King Arthur. 

According to the 13th-century legend, it was here that Arthur slew a giant, 

who left the impression of his elbows on one of the stones as he fell.

Others suggest the indentations were left by Arthur's 

knees or elbows as he knelt there to pray.

Visit Date January 2025

 

Arthur's Stone

The tomb dated around 3500 BC is much like many others of this type of structure often referred to as Chromlechs, Quoits or Dolmens and is made up of a large capstone perhaps weighing around 25 tons supported not by the more common 3 or 4 uprights but 9 uprights.

Click on any image for larger view

The entrance to the tomb is through a curved, 4.6 m (15 ft) long entrance passageway.

Arthur's Stone

This is not uncommon but seems to deviate from many of these types of tombs which would have a straight entrance-way.

Click on any image for larger view

The site would have been covered with a great mound of earth which has either been eroded over the centuries or exposed much earlier. Modern investigations had not been carried out on this structure until 2022/2023, when investigations led by the Universities of Manchester and Cardiff were carried out.

Arthur's Stone

It was found that it is likely the tomb has been altered since the original single burial chamber Dolmen. The original entrance would have been north-facing however it is now thought that the structure was later converted into a long cairn and the entrance to this new structure faced south.

More work may be done to confirm this.

Arthur's Stone possible original entrance

During these excavations near the long entrance, there was found evidence of a dry stone wall structure. This had been carefully constructed and was thought to have had some symbolic meaning, perhaps the stones were brought as some sort of memorial to the dead.

The curved passageway seems to be part of this later addition.

Arthur's Stone, Writing

As stated earlier this Neolithic monument known as Arthur’s Stone,  has long been linked to legend and literature however, if King Arthur had been at every location he is associated with he would have to have lived many lives.

Two other Arthurian structures on this blog can be found at 

https://davidsnarrative.blogspot.com/2022/10/coetan-arthur.html

and 

https://davidsnarrative.blogspot.com/2022/06/maen-ceti-arthurs-stone.html

Click on any image for larger view

These Arthurian giant-slaying escapades and the inspiring large Stone capstone or table here at this site is said to have been the inspiration on which the lion Aslan was sacrificed in C S Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. 

The site is now in the care of English Heritage

Footer:Visit Information: -
Google Reference: -
52.08230962757643, -2.9953445186919994

What Three Words reference: -
///bolsters.craters.timer

OS Details: -
OS Grid Ref: SO 31887 43123 

Additional information.

Visiting is easy and is about 11 miles from Hereford along the A438 and B4352 (Pentre lane ) and then 3/4 of a mile along Arther's Stone Lane (this is the only narrow part.

There is parking for 3/4 cars in a lay-by right next to the site. There are no facilities.

I have been told that this site can get busy in the summer months.

A full list of blogs can be found at my website

Read More

Strata Florida Abbey

Strata Florida Abbey (Welsh: Abaty Ystrad Fflur ) 

A former Cistercian abbey 

situated just outside Pontrhydfendigaid, 

near Tregaron in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. 

Visit Date April 2024

The West Front Gateway

Founded in 1164 it was established by white-robed Cistercian monks also known as 'The White Canons' as part of a movement that spread across much of western Europe in the early Middle Ages.

Stata Florida was consecrated in 1201.

Click on any image to see enlarged version

The area around St Davids was occupied by the Norman Marcher lordship of Pembroke by the early 12th century, with St Davids firmly under Norman influence after that, the princely Dinefwr family of Deheubarth transferred their patronage to Strata Florida, and interred many of their family members there.

The Nave

Strata Florida became the most famous church in Wales after St Davids –­ a place of pilgrimage and a linchpin of Welsh culture.

Detailing on the west front

Strata Florida was founded through the patronage of Rhys ap Gruffydd. In 1184, a further charter was issued by Lord Rhys, reaffirming Strata Florida as a monastery under the patronage of Deheubarth, a principality of South Wales.

The Monks Choir (North Transept in background)

By 1238 Strata Florida had been raised to a powerful religious centre of great importance. At this time Prince Llewellyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great 1173-1240) held council here forcing the Welsh leaders to acknowledge his son Dafydd

The South Transept

Strata Florida became an important and powerful religious centre. Around 1238, Prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth held a council at Strata Florida. It was here that he made the other Welsh leaders acknowledge his son Dafydd ap Llywelyn (1212 - 1246) as his rightful successor. 

In 1401, during the early years of Owain Glyndŵr's (Prince of Wales 1400 – 1409) rebellion, the monks were evicted from the monastery by King Henry IV (King of England 1399 - 1430) as they were seen to be sympathetic to Glyndwr. 

Henry then turned the Abbey into a military base.

Under the control of a commander The Earl of Worcester, the abbey held a garrison of several hundred men for the battles against the Welsh Rebels against the English crown.

At the end of the conflicts with Glyndwr, the monks were allowed to return to the abbey.

The Chapter House

As part of the ongoing conflict between Henry VIII and the catholic church in 1539, the abbey was dissolved and the abbey was sold off. 

The site was abandoned and allowed to fall into a ruinous state.

Much later  Stephen Williams, a railway engineer and founder member of the Cambrian Archaeological Association, took interest in the Abby and began excavations of the site and in 1848  the association leased the Abbey site to create better displays and presentations to the public.  

Click on any image to enlarge

The present parish church of St. Mary, within the boundaries of the graveyard, may have been built with stone taken from the monastic site.

Some of the descendants of the Lord Rhys have been buried at this Abbey.

Among the buried here are 11 princes of the Welsh royal house of Dinefwr.

Notable burials include Prince Gruffydd ap Rhys II

The Presbytery with the plinth marking the high alter

The notable poet Dafydd ap Gwilym is said to be buried under a yew in the churchyard. 

Because of these important burials, Strata Florida has been referred to as ‘the Westminster Abbey of Wales’.

Click on any image to enlarge

The site was designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1919 and is now in the care of Cadw.

Footer:Visit Information: -
Google Reference: -
52.27541915307934, -3.839258866304253

What Three Words reference: -
///bothered.tour.computers

OS Details: -
OS Grid Ref: SN 74624 65701 : Altitude:194 m

Additional information.

Visiting is very easy with good b roads to site with Abbey Road signposted off the b4343 at
Pontrhydfendigaid. Access is currently free and the site has good information boards available.


There is a visitor centre on site but the opening times are varied. It was closed when I visited but I believe there may be a small café and toilets . Don't rely on this being open for your visit.

A full list of blogs can be found at my website

Read More