Wayland's Smithy

What it’s like

A Neolithic burial mound on a windswept ridge, reached by a walk of over a mile from the car park.

This is a long barrow, a Neolithic burial mound tucked into trees along the Ridgeway, and it's free to walk round once you're there. There's no visitor centre or ticket booth, just the mound and its stones, so what you get is the site itself and the view across the hillside.

The catch is the walk. It's over a mile from the car park at White Horse Hill, and that's on an exposed ridge with no shelter, so a buggy or a toddler on tired legs might struggle. It's worth treating this as a proper walk rather than a quick stop, and dressing for wind whatever the forecast says.

Parking at White Horse Hill is charged unless you're an English Heritage member, in which case it's free. There's nothing else to pay for once you're on site, since the barrow itself doesn't charge entry.

Older kids who like a bit of history or a good ghost story will get more out of it than a toddler will. It suits a family who wants a walk with a destination rather than a quick in-and-out visit.

Need to know

Best for

Older kids who can manage a long, exposed walk

Parking

Charged car park at White Horse Hill, free to English Heritage members

• The walk is over a mile each way, so factor in the return trip too
• The hillside is exposed with no shelter, so bring a coat even on a sunny day
• There's no visitor centre or shop on site
• Buggies will have a tough time on the uneven, open ground

Plan your visit

Featured in 2 Huddlepin lists

See all Castles, Historic Houses & Heritage in Reading · Things to do in Reading