A guided walk in West Woods visiting archaeological remains of early-twentieth century sarsen extraction in West Woods.
Location
West Woods is a large beech woodland on the south side of the upper Kennet Valley, owned and managed by Forestry England. It is accessed via the A4 and local roads through Lockeridge. West Woods is well-served by an internal network of roads, rides and bridle/footpaths, with one main and two minor car-parks for public access.
The wooded area covers c950 acres in total, intersected by a series of dry valleys with the main valley, Hursley Bottom, running through the middle of the wood. Archaeological and geological features are scattered throughout the woodland, including clay, marl, and chalk extraction pits, sarsen boulders and sarsen extraction pits, military foxholes, pits and craters, and occasional examples of dumped modern agricultural and early-twentieth century military machinery. In the past, parts of the wood have been cultivated and then re-planted for timber, and West Woods was used by the American Army for D-Day training during the Second World War. There are a few fenced pheasant-rearing areas with associated structures such as sheds and feeders.
Activities (see route map)
The walking tour will visit archaeological remains of early-twentieth century sarsen extraction in West Woods. The route starts at the main car-park off Clatford Bottom, following the main woodland ride walking down-slope towards Hursley Bottom. A standing stone on the west side of the track is the first stopping point, followed by a group of nineteenth century sarsen splitting remains in the base of Hursley Bottom. A steep, rough footpath heading south leads up-slope, from which the underground fuse store is reached via steep, uneven ground for c30m. The steep, narrow footpath returns the group to the main woodland ride and back to the main car-park.
Lunch, refreshments, breaks.
Participants will be expected to bring their own food and drink, thus avoiding issues of food allergies and intolerance. If anyone arrives without suitable food/drink, the nearest shops providing a range of options are in Marlborough (c3miles).
DETAILS
Date: Sunday 18 May
Start Time: 10am. The walk is expected to last approx 3 hours.
Parking/Meeting: Meet at the main Forestry England car park – SU163 666, https://w3w.co/thrillers.enhanced.lyricist. Please arrive in good time to enable the group to leave at 10am.
Distance: about 4.5km with a descent/climb of about 37 metres.
Cost: £15 (£12 WANHS members)
Booking: essential – book ONLINE below. Maximum 20 people.
Other useful information
* There are no toilets or other facilities at the start or during the walk.
* Bring your own snack and drinks. You may like to being a packed lunch to eat on the picnic benches at the car park when we finish.
* Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for rough ground and outdoors weather; arms and legs must be covered because of the high risk of ticks.
* Bring your mobile phone and any medications that you need. [the mobile phone signal is very poor/non-existent in the area of West Woods.]
* A full risk assessment has been carried out and the walk leader will have a first aid kit.
* Sorry, no dogs
TERMS and CONDITIONS
- The event may be postponed if adverse weather is forecast.
- Unless sold out, bookings will close at 9 am on the day of the outing. Contact hello@wiltshiremuseum.org.uk to be added to the waiting list of if you have any queries.
- Booking for events
- Cancellations, Refunds and T&Cs
Map of Route
Image: Katy Whitaker – The Megalithic Portal