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Wayland's Smithy

Hidden Gem

Terrain:

Activities

Best Time To Visit

Woodland, Farmland

Walking, Cycling

Spring and Autumn

Bill Boaden / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Wayland's Smithy is a Neolithic chambered long barrow beside the ancient Ridgeway track in Oxfordshire, about a mile and a half from the Uffington White Horse. A long grassy mound stands in a grove of beech trees, fronted by tall sarsen stones with a stone burial chamber behind. It was built in two ...

8

Parking nearby

0

Food Spots nearby

0

Staycations nearby

Parking:

Food:

Staycations:

3 day, 5 overnight

Nearest Hidden Gem 2

Nearest Hidden Gem 3

FAQ's/Things to Know

Where is Wayland's Smithy?
Berkshire Downs chalk ridges hold this ancient burial site right off the famous historic path. Walkers find the monument on an exposed hillside above a famous wide valley.

What type of place is Wayland's Smithy?
Wayland's Smithy is a Neolithic chambered long barrow in Oxfordshire.

When is the best time to visit Wayland's Smithy?
Spring and Autumn bring the most comfortable weather for trekking across the open downland fields. Winter solstice mornings provide an incredible atmosphere when the low sun directly hits the stone facade.

What can you do at Wayland's Smithy?
Hiking the mile-long trail from the nearest road allows you to experience the deep isolation of the landscape. Anyone can carefully step inside the low stone chambers to feel the cool, damp atmosphere of the ancient tomb.

How long should I spend at Wayland's Smithy?
Allocating roughly forty minutes allows ample time to inspect the massive sarsen entrance stones and read about the site. Longer visits suit those combining the tomb with a proper trek along the surrounding ancient trackway.

Where do I park at Wayland's Smithy?
Spaces for eight vehicles exist nearby, providing three day and five overnight spots for people making the journey. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I eat near Wayland's Smithy?
There are no food spots recorded immediately near Wayland's Smithy, check the UK Hidden Gems app for the nearest options.

Where can I stay near Wayland's Smithy?
There are no staycation spots recorded immediately near Wayland's Smithy, check the UK Hidden Gems app for the nearest options.

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Last Updated:

02 July 2026

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