Melsome Wood

Wood, Forest in Wiltshire

England

Melsome Wood

RAF Lyneham airfield Ancillary buildings and a hangar on the disused RAF Lyneham airfield seen from the bridleway which runs alongside the perimeter fence. RAF Lyneham was closed in December 2012 when its functions were transferred to RAF Brize Norton. — RAF Lyneham airfield Credit: Vieve Forward

Melsome Wood is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Wiltshire, England. Spanning approximately 100 acres, it is known for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity. The wood is situated near the village of Melsome, nestled within the rolling hills of the Wiltshire countryside.

Melsome Wood is primarily composed of deciduous trees, with oak, beech, and ash being the dominant species. These towering trees create a canopy that provides shade and shelter for a diverse range of wildlife. The forest floor is covered in a carpet of wildflowers, including bluebells and daffodils, which bloom in vibrant colors during the springtime.

The wood is crisscrossed by several walking trails, allowing visitors to explore its enchanting surroundings. These trails wind through the woodland, offering glimpses of wildlife such as deer, rabbits, and various bird species. The tranquil atmosphere and peaceful ambiance make Melsome Wood a popular destination for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers.

In addition to its natural beauty, Melsome Wood also has historical significance. It is believed to have been an ancient woodland, with evidence of human activity dating back centuries. Remnants of old stone structures and boundary markers can still be found within the wood, providing a glimpse into its past.

Overall, Melsome Wood is a captivating and idyllic woodland, offering a peaceful retreat for those seeking solace in nature. Its scenic beauty, diverse wildlife, and historical elements make it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Melsome Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.506797/-2.0212469 or Grid Reference ST9878. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

RAF Lyneham airfield Ancillary buildings and a hangar on the disused RAF Lyneham airfield seen from the bridleway which runs alongside the perimeter fence. RAF Lyneham was closed in December 2012 when its functions were transferred to RAF Brize Norton.

RAF Lyneham airfield

Ancillary buildings and a hangar on the disused RAF Lyneham airfield seen from the bridleway which runs alongside the perimeter fence. RAF Lyneham was closed in December 2012 when its functions were transferred to RAF Brize Norton.

Insured in Bradenstoke An ancient house bears an insurance plaque, so marking it out as having some protection.

Insured in Bradenstoke

An ancient house bears an insurance plaque, so marking it out as having some protection.

Need a lift home? The Cross Keys Inn is the last surviving pub in Bradenstoke (The nearby Jolly Trooper Inn is now a private residence). Outside is what appears to be a taxi, with graphics. Do they do home deliveries of drinkers?

Need a lift home?

The Cross Keys Inn is the last surviving pub in Bradenstoke (The nearby Jolly Trooper Inn is now a private residence). Outside is what appears to be a taxi, with graphics. Do they do home deliveries of drinkers?

The Cross Keys A large sign outside the pub.

The Cross Keys

A large sign outside the pub.

Providence Chapel, Bradenstoke The Strict Baptist chapel was founded in 1777 and has a burial ground to the rear of the property. Built by Isaac Turner of Calne, it was adorned with a clock and bell of 1775, provided by John Broom of Castle Combe. The chapel is said to be the only one in Britain that has a bell to summon worshippers.

Repair work and restoration was needed and in 1928 £500 was raised to carry out the work; the bellcote rebuilt around 1960. With dwindling congregations, the church shut for a time in 1997 but was re-opened a year later.

Providence Chapel, Bradenstoke

The Strict Baptist chapel was founded in 1777 and has a burial ground to the rear of the property. Built by Isaac Turner of Calne, it was adorned with a clock and bell of 1775, provided by John Broom of Castle Combe. The chapel is said to be the only one in Britain that has a bell to summon worshippers. Repair work and restoration was needed and in 1928 £500 was raised to carry out the work; the bellcote rebuilt around 1960. With dwindling congregations, the church shut for a time in 1997 but was re-opened a year later.

Earthworks by the fishpond The ancient sites of Clack Mount and Bradenstoke Abbey are physically close, if not historically. Their various extents meet and probably overlap around here, somewhere between the two major centres. The thick vegetation hides what is believed to be a fishpond, associated with the former abbey further to the west. Earthworks surround and link to the older &#039;castle&#039; of Clack Mount, although the sheep are not that bothered as they can wander freely across the landscape.

Earthworks by the fishpond

The ancient sites of Clack Mount and Bradenstoke Abbey are physically close, if not historically. Their various extents meet and probably overlap around here, somewhere between the two major centres. The thick vegetation hides what is believed to be a fishpond, associated with the former abbey further to the west. Earthworks surround and link to the older 'castle' of Clack Mount, although the sheep are not that bothered as they can wander freely across the landscape.

A Barrow and a motte Clack Mount is an enigmatic ancient site. There are few solid details to draw from, but it appears to be a Bronze Age barrow mound, surrounded by later motte and bailey earthworks. Some writers have labelled the burial mound as Scufa&#039;s Barrow, and is mentioned in Anglo-Saxon documents, but this is not fully proven.

Its location close to the ruinous Bradenstoke Abbey suggests that some of the earthworks here are much later, even perhaps that the area was landscaped as a prospect in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries. Certainly, there is a small mound that was built as a WWII pillbox.

A Barrow and a motte

Clack Mount is an enigmatic ancient site. There are few solid details to draw from, but it appears to be a Bronze Age barrow mound, surrounded by later motte and bailey earthworks. Some writers have labelled the burial mound as Scufa's Barrow, and is mentioned in Anglo-Saxon documents, but this is not fully proven. Its location close to the ruinous Bradenstoke Abbey suggests that some of the earthworks here are much later, even perhaps that the area was landscaped as a prospect in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries. Certainly, there is a small mound that was built as a WWII pillbox.

Keeping the brothers fed Bradenstoke Abbey was founded in around 1142 by Augustinian Canons and dedicated to St Mary. It remained in use until the Dissolution in 1539 and to keep the monks in food two fishponds were dug to the east of the main buildings. Now heavily overgrown the two ponds are marked by the greenery and with sheep allowed to graze they are easy to find. The remains of the Abbey tower still stand in the background.

Keeping the brothers fed

Bradenstoke Abbey was founded in around 1142 by Augustinian Canons and dedicated to St Mary. It remained in use until the Dissolution in 1539 and to keep the monks in food two fishponds were dug to the east of the main buildings. Now heavily overgrown the two ponds are marked by the greenery and with sheep allowed to graze they are easy to find. The remains of the Abbey tower still stand in the background.

The tower remains standing Bradenstoke Abbey was founded in 1142 and continued to operate until the Dissolution in 1539. It then was used mainly as a farm and much of the original buildings altered or indeed became derelict over the centuries. However, the real losses occurred in the 1920s when the owner, American newspaper magnate Raldolph Hearst, took lots of stonework and moved it elsewhere. Some of it ended up at St Donat&#039;s in Glamorgan, the rest went to his estate in the States.

Fortunately, the tower was not removed and is the principal survivor from the time.

The tower remains standing

Bradenstoke Abbey was founded in 1142 and continued to operate until the Dissolution in 1539. It then was used mainly as a farm and much of the original buildings altered or indeed became derelict over the centuries. However, the real losses occurred in the 1920s when the owner, American newspaper magnate Raldolph Hearst, took lots of stonework and moved it elsewhere. Some of it ended up at St Donat's in Glamorgan, the rest went to his estate in the States. Fortunately, the tower was not removed and is the principal survivor from the time.

Still holding water One of the old abbey fishponds in Bradenstoke stills holds water - as evidenced by the lush growth covering it.

Still holding water

One of the old abbey fishponds in Bradenstoke stills holds water - as evidenced by the lush growth covering it.

Bradenstoke Abbey tower Pretty all that remains of the original Augustinian Abbey is the tower. A Scheduled monument.

Bradenstoke Abbey tower

Pretty all that remains of the original Augustinian Abbey is the tower. A Scheduled monument.

Seat at the end of Hollow Way To aid walkers a seat has been provided near the abbey ruins, part of which became used as a farm. It bears the engraving &#039;Friends:Past.Present.Future&#039;, and is made from recycled plastic waste.

Seat at the end of Hollow Way

To aid walkers a seat has been provided near the abbey ruins, part of which became used as a farm. It bears the engraving 'Friends:Past.Present.Future', and is made from recycled plastic waste.

Pathways from the Abbey farm Some of the old abbey buildings became used as a farm and at the southern end are a couple of ways around the countryside. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7198221">ST9978 : Seat at the end of Hollow Way</a> for a look at the seat.

Pathways from the Abbey farm

Some of the old abbey buildings became used as a farm and at the southern end are a couple of ways around the countryside. See ST9978 : Seat at the end of Hollow Way for a look at the seat.

By the holy well The land above the treeline is a water source and in the past was a holy well associated with the neighbouring Augustinian Abbey. It used to have a structure around it but is now simply a spring.

By the holy well

The land above the treeline is a water source and in the past was a holy well associated with the neighbouring Augustinian Abbey. It used to have a structure around it but is now simply a spring.

The Mead - for dogs Next to the recreation ground is a dog-exercising paddock. Horses not permitted.

The Mead - for dogs

Next to the recreation ground is a dog-exercising paddock. Horses not permitted.

Bradenstoke recreation ground Part of the Lyneham and Bradenstoke parish council&#039;s facilities.

Bradenstoke recreation ground

Part of the Lyneham and Bradenstoke parish council's facilities.

A benchmark on a wall near Abbey Farm A cutmark of nineteenth century vintage, set into a gated wall of Abbey Farm. The site is close to the ruined Augustinian Abbey of Bradenstoke and on a footpath to the open countryside. See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm57005" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm57005">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> for the entry in the Benchmark Database and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7198890">ST9978 : Track at the back of Abbey Farm</a> for a location view.

A benchmark on a wall near Abbey Farm

A cutmark of nineteenth century vintage, set into a gated wall of Abbey Farm. The site is close to the ruined Augustinian Abbey of Bradenstoke and on a footpath to the open countryside. See Link

for the entry in the Benchmark Database and ST9978 : Track at the back of Abbey Farm for a location view.

Track at the back of Abbey Farm The farm wall has a gate and a benchmark beside it - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7198889">ST9978 : A benchmark on a wall near Abbey Farm</a>.

Track at the back of Abbey Farm

The farm wall has a gate and a benchmark beside it - see ST9978 : A benchmark on a wall near Abbey Farm.

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Melsome Wood is located at Grid Ref: ST9878 (Lat: 51.506797, Lng: -2.0212469)

Unitary Authority: Wiltshire

Police Authority: Wiltshire

What 3 Words

///radio.monorail.overdone. Near Lyneham, Wiltshire

Nearby Locations

Charwood Copse Melsome Wood

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.506797,-2.0212469

Man Made: mast

Lat/Long: 51.505103/-2.0175281

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Burnt Plantation Northumberland

Ainley Wood Yorkshire

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