Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.

WALK: An afternoon walk from Mells to Great Elm

Led by Isobel Geddes this is a 3 – 4 mile walk, down the Wadbury Valley east of Mells displaying some fascinating geology and industrial archaeology.

The area is underlain by Carboniferous Limestone of the Mendips, upturned by earth movements during an ancient continental collision/mountain building episode before being re-submerged beneath the sea in Jurassic times. This seafloor is exposed in an old limestone quarry at Tedbury Camp. Below in the Wadbury Valley the remains of the Fussels Ironworks, which utilised the power of the Mells River, can be seen.

https://www.bgs.ac.uk/mendips/localities/mells.html

The walk will take about 3 hours.

2pm. Meet in Mells by St Andrews churchyard BA11 3PW.  There is parking on the roadside.

Stout footwear, protective clothing to suit the prevailing weather conditions, and reasonable mobility will be required. Please ensure that you bring water and snacks; this is particularly important in hot weather.

£10 (£8 WANHS members). Booking essential – limited to 15.

Isobel Geddes is a geologist, writer and Blue Badge Guide who regards archaeology and subsequent human history as just the latest stage in the history of our planet. She has introduced people to the local historic sites for a number of years. As well as guiding, she wrote Hidden Depths: Wiltshire’s Geology and Landscapes, published in 2000 by Ex Libris Press. Subsequently she contributed walks for The Cream of South Wiltshire Walks (Hobnob Press, 2002) and wrote a chapter on the geological history of the Marlborough Downs in the English Heritage book The Avebury Landscape – Aspects of the field archaeology of the Marlborough Downs in 2005 (edited by Graham Brown, David Field & David McOmish & published by Oxbow Books). She also produces short geology & landscape guides covering local places of interest.

  • 10th August 2019
  • 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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