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Archaeology, Sites to See

Round Barrows, Graffridge Wood

The Round Barrows, Graffridge Wood, Knebworth are burial mounds which lie close together, but are not contemporary. One dates from the Early Bronze Age (c.2300-c.1400 B.C.) and the other from the Romano-British period (A.D. 43-c.410). Barrows such as these usually contain a single burial (see 1). Traces of the original ditches surrounding the barrows can still be seen, and it is also clear that both mounds have been dug into in the past. The Early Bronze Age barrow is about 16m in diameter and 3.5m high. The mound is covered in grass, birch trees and an oak, and a path on the south leads to the summit. The Roman barrow is covered with scrub vegetation, but stands in a slight clearing. It is about 32m in diameter and 3.5-4m high.

From Park Lane, Old Knebworth, bear left into Old Knebworth Lane. Turn right into Driver’s End Lane and then immediately right again. Follow this road to a T-junction and turn right to Langley (B656). Graffridge Wood is on the left, just after Three Houses Lane. Park in the lay-by a little further along and walk back to take the footpath into the wood. This right-angles to the left after 400 yards, and the Bronze Age barrow is about 30 yards further on, on the right hand side. To see the Roman barrow, continue along the main footpath for about 275 yards, and the barrow lies on the left, just after a ‘cross-roads’. Grid reference TL 215 206 and TL 217 209.

Map showing Round Barrows, Graffridge Wood