Weyland's Smithy

Weyland's Smithy is the remains of a neolithic long barrow.

In the 1920's archaeologists discovered bones of at least 20 people here, along with evidence of later Roman and Saxon use. In fact they discovered the remains of a smaller, earlier barrow beneath the barrow that we still see today.

This typical three chambered long barrow is very close to the ridgeway track near Uffington, in Oxfordshire, on top of the berkshire downs.

The name Weylands Smithy does not have such an ancient history as the barrow itself.

Weyland was a Saxon mythical blacksmith who could not refuse any black smithing job, no matter how impossible the task, once he had been offered a payment.

Presumeably when the Saxons saw the barrow remains they decided it was where Weyland did his work.

Getting to Weyland's Smithy is not that easy The map reference for Weyland's Smithy is SU 281 858. It sits on the Ridgeway so walkers along this ancient route find it with ease. For the rest of us there is a car park about a mile and a half from Weyland's Smithy at Uffington by the white horse and iron-age hill fort. From here it is a walk following signs along the ridgeway path.

KH 2005