1. The programme order and content may be changed if the
weather or other factors dictate it.
2. Short notes will be provided for each day's topic
along with a key plan of destinations and some suggested reading material.
However, no background reading or research is required beforehand.
3. Site visits will usually consist of a drive followed
by a walk of up to 1.5 miles on varied but firm ground. The drive out and back will
often pass features of special interest. Students will be required to provide
appropriate footwear and clothing.
4. The course will be led each day by Ted Hiscocks from
the North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust. He will be supported by a range of
guides/tutors with particular expertise in the topic or site.
5. Except on the first day the course will start at 1.30
pm to maximise the time for site visits.
Day
1 - Introduction and History
Classroom - preliminaries; illustrated overview of the
North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; first intervention by
mankind; archaeological activity.
Site
visit to: Avebury and the Neolithic henge monument which
includes the world's largest stone circle dating from 2,850 BC; Silbury Hill
which is the largest prehistoric mound in Europe; and the field of sarsen
stones at Lockeridge (EH/RS/RW)
Day
2 - Landscapes
Three of the AONB's six main landscape types (River
Valleys, Downs Plain and Scarp, and Woodland - the others are Chalk Grassland,
Arable Farmland, and Heathland).
Site
visit to River Kennet valley, Hungerford Common, and Savernake
Forest which is more than 1,000 years old and was the site of the UK's largest
ammunition dump during World War 2. Students will see other landscape types on other
days (EH/HO)
Day
3 - Natural History
The natural history: the wide range of flora and fauna;
changes that are occurring at present; the initiatives being taken to conserve
and enhance.
Site
visit to Morgan's Hill Nature Reserve, a Site of Special
Scientific Interest managed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, and noted for its
orchids, butterflies and the quality of the chalk grassland and wildflowers (WWT/EH)
Day
4 - Settlements and Linkages
The establishment and growth of settlements; transport
corridors; changes of transport mode from road to canal, then to railway, and
back to road.
Site
visit to see settlements and transport modes; then tour of
Crofton Beam Engines which supply water to the Kennet and Avon Canal and are
the world's oldest such pumps in the original engine house and still performing
their original function (EH/MR)
Day
5 - Economy
The economy yesterday and today in farm, village and
town; changes in agriculture and diversification; impact and consequences of World
War 1 and 2; the rise of tourism.
Site
visit to Manor Farm, Wilton, and Wilton Windmill which is the
only working windmill in Wessex (PL/EH)
