Wayland's Smithy
Ashbury, Oxfordshire
A 5,500 year old chambered long barrow to reach with your dog along a mile of open Ridgeway. Free, never closed, and older than Stonehenge.
This one costs nothing, never closes, and you will often have it to yourselves. Wayland's Smithy is a Neolithic chambered long barrow inside a ring of tall beeches on open chalk downland. Fourteen people were buried in an earlier structure here between 3590 and 3550 BC, and around 3460 BC a much larger barrow went up over the top, framed by four huge sarsens. The Saxons found it already ancient and decided it must be the workshop of Wayland, their god of metalworking.
Whilst you stand in front of a tomb built before the pyramids, your dog has a mile each way of high, quiet chalk downland on a track people have walked for five thousand years. Springy turf that is kind on older joints, deep leaf litter and cool air inside the beech ring even in August, and hare and skylark on the open down either side.
Be clear what this is not. No ticket office, no toilet, no water and no shelter of any kind. Park at White Horse Hill, free to members, and walk the mile in. Carry water because the down is completely shadeless, and keep your dog on a lead for the grazing land along the track.
At a Glance
- Site Type
- Prehistoric Site
- Entry
- Free
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
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Planning Your Visit
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wayland's Smithy dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are very welcome at Wayland's Smithy. The mile-long Ridgeway track offers springy chalk downland turf that's gentle on older joints, and the beech ring around the barrow provides cool shade even in August — though dogs must be kept on a lead along the grazing land on the way in.
Are dogs allowed at Wayland's Smithy year round?
Wayland's Smithy never closes and has no restrictions on visiting times, so you and your dog can come any time of year. It's free to visit too, with parking at White Horse Hill — free for members.
What should I know before visiting Wayland's Smithy with my dog?
There are no facilities here at all — no ticket office, no toilets, no water point and no shelter — so carry water for both of you, as the downland track is completely exposed and shadeless. Keep your dog on a lead along the grazing land on the approach track, and be prepared for a mile's walk each way from the White Horse Hill car park.
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