[ Content | Sidebar ]

Archives for March, 2014

Bedwyn

March 31st, 2014

I went for another walk on Saturday, this time through unexplored territory in Wiltshire. Caught a train to Bedwyn and then headed off through the Savernake Forest and then a really interesting (but windy!) ridge along the Pewsey Downs. Finally I headed north to Avebury, which I visited last year, via the West Kennet long barrow which is another of these ancient burial mounds; but with the exciting twist that you can go inside this one! I suspect the windows in the roof may be a more recent addition.

Although it was sunny it was a bit too hazy to take good photos. Nice area though: nearby Pewsey is train-accessible and I’m pondering a return visit to try crossing the Salisbury Plain. Stay tuned!

Ancient Things

March 16th, 2014

My parents were visiting last weekend and we did lots of driving around in my car (see earlier!). Happened to coincide with a burst of unseasonably nice weather. Went to a couple of good places including the Didcot railway museum.

On the Saturday afternoon we journeyed way out west to White Horse Hill.

white_horse_scale

It’s got a giant chalk carving of a horse and the remains of an iron age hill fort. What more could you want! Avid readers might remember I travelled through here on the way to Swindon last year.

But there’s more! A mile or so down the path there’s this 4500 year old burial mound called Wayland’s Smithy. I don’t think the parents were too impressed. Still, I like it.

barrow_scale