Elena Thompson (Member No: .69)

Coldrum Long Barrow

The Sun shone fiercely all afternoon, warming my bones as I sat with the stones, and affording me a deep and beautiful sense of wellbeing.

🍂 Just on the outskirts of the pretty village of Trottiscliffe in Kent, (pronounced Troz-lee if you want to befriend the locals) yards from the Pilgrims Way and surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside I have ever seen, sits Coldrum Long Barrow. 🪨 

🍂 One of the Medway Megaliths, (along with Kits Coty which I love and was my first post on here) Coldrum is the best preserved of them all. Built during the Neolithic period, and some say 1000 years before Stonehenge, it was a chambered long barrow consisting of an earthern tumulus surrounded by local sarsen kerb stones, with the burial chamber situated at the eastern end. Although the earthern mound is now denuded, and the kerb stones fallen, the chamber is still partially standing and seriously impressive!! 

🍂 There have been a number of excavations here, and one in 1912 led to the discovery of the bones of some 22 folk (men, women and children) plus pottery shards and a flint saw. Atleast one of the bodies were found to have been dismembered prior to burial too. 

🍂 So far as the lore goes, Coldrums a bit elusive. Although there is a recurring story that a battle was fought here, and that the ‘Black Prince’ was buried in the chamber. 

King Edward III’s son was known as the Black Prince (some say due to the colour of his armour) however he was buried at Canterbury Cathedral so can’t be our guy. 

And as with Little Kits Coty, it’s also said here that the stones are impossible to count, although I didn’t try as I was having too much of a lovely time. 

🍂 The Sun shone fiercely all afternoon, warming my bones as I sat with the stones, and affording me a deep and beautiful sense of wellbeing. Of being rooted to the land. Signs of spring all around, the hedgerows and trees a hive of activity.

Gazing out at the birds circling over the rolling hills of the Medway valley, one of the most perfect views I have ever seen, its easy to understand why this spot was chosen as a final resting place for the dead.🍃

(Also just to say that I was proudly wearing my @the.stone.club badge for this adventure. If you love stones, you’ll love Stone Club! 🪨)