Bride’s Mound is one of Avalon’s most sacred and historic sites with deep spiritual, cultural, and ecological significance.
England’s oldest monastic site. Older than Iona, & older than Glastonbury Abbey. Excavations in the 1960s revealed 65+ burials here, recently identified as Romano-Celtic Christians from the 5th Century.
It is also, a Mary line node, a place of prayer, remembrance, and ancestral connection.

In recent weeks, the crown of the mound has been covered in gravel surfacing, and a cycle path is planned to run directly through the mound's hedgerow, between the fields.

These changes are deeply misaligned with the nature and importance of the site, and are causing concern, sadness, and anger in the local and spiritual community.

We, the undersigned, are asking for the following:

1. That the gravel is removed from the crown of the mound entirely, and the area is restored with a more eco-sensitive surface (such as grass, wildflowers, or other regenerative options).
   
   
2. That the existing empty signpost is removed from the top of the mound, as it serves no current purpose and adds visual disruption to a sacred space.
   
   
3. That disability access is improved, by routing the path around the mound, rather than over the top of the site.
   
   
4. That the planned cycle path is re-routed, so that it does not cut through the centre of this ancient landscape, potentially using the already existing riverside track instead.
   
   
5. That some form of protective or commemorative marker is installed to honour the remains of the original chapel on site, ensuring that this spiritual heritage is acknowledged and not buried or forgotten beneath modern infrastructure.
   
   
6. That no more trees are cut down or burned, and the natural ecology of the site is left undisturbed moving forward.
   
   
7. That any development (including the proposed visitor centre) be built using sustainable, low-impact materials and in full consultation with the local community and land guardians.

 

We believe all of this can be done in a way that respects both accessibility and sacred preservation.

 

We are not against progress, but this is not progress: it is an erasure of Avalon’s living history.

We ask the South West Heritage Trust (SWHT) and all relevant decision-makers to reconsider these actions and work with the local community to protect the soul of Bride’s Mound before more damage is done.

 

Bride's mound before:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bride's mound now:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruins (still visible on Google Earth):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact to raise concerns:

info@swheritage.org.uk

https://swheritage.org.uk

 

 Plans:

https://friendsofbridesmound.com/land-management/