Offerings to the "Water Gods" lie on top large stone marking Swallowhead spring near the Barrow.
Imagination is needed to visualize water flowing out of this spring on a wet winter's day. There is growing concern in the area that too much water is extracted from the river, which means that the bed remains dry for much of the year. Last year after persistant rain, the area flooded and the spring sprang to life! The crystal clear water flows towards Reading, where it joins the River Thames.
The water flows into the Kennet and Avon Canal along its route, providing canal engineer John Rennie with a constant supply of water, for the canal barges to trade along the route from Bristol via Bath, Devizes, Newbury, Reading and London.
The large stepping stones allow people to cross when the stream is in flood.
It has taken me twelve years to find this spot, although it was staring me in the face most of the time. A short diversion from the track up to the West Kennet Long Barrow, was all that was needed to find the spot where people over the centuries have lived and drank the water.
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