Clack Mount

Heritage Site in Wiltshire

England

Clack Mount

From a Swindon-Bristol train, fields near Sodom Lane Credit: Nigel Thompson

Clack Mount, located in the picturesque county of Wiltshire, England, is a renowned heritage site that attracts visitors from all around the world. Situated atop a hill overlooking the charming village of Clack, this historic landmark offers a glimpse into the rich history and cultural heritage of the region.

The main feature of Clack Mount is its medieval castle, which dates back to the 12th century. The castle, surrounded by imposing stone walls, stands as a testament to the military prowess and architectural ingenuity of its time. Visitors can explore the ruins of the castle, marvel at the intricate stonework, and imagine what life was like for its inhabitants centuries ago.

Aside from the castle, Clack Mount also boasts a beautiful church that is equally steeped in history. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, was built in the 14th century and showcases stunning Gothic architecture. Inside, visitors can admire elaborate stained glass windows, ancient tombs, and ornate woodwork.

The surrounding landscape of Clack Mount is equally captivating. The hilltop location provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, making it a popular spot for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers. Additionally, the site is home to a variety of wildlife, including rare birds and wildflowers, adding to its natural beauty.

Clack Mount is open to the public throughout the year, with guided tours available to provide in-depth knowledge and insights into its historical significance. Whether one is interested in medieval architecture, religious history, or simply seeking a tranquil retreat in the heart of the English countryside, Clack Mount is a must-visit destination that offers a truly immersive and enriching experience.

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Clack Mount Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.513/-2.007 or Grid Reference ST9979. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

From a Swindon-Bristol train, fields near Sodom Lane

Nigel Thompson

2011 : B4069 heading west toward Christian Malford

And Chippenham. Just made it round the bend, some of the bends on this hill are easy to misjudge.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : B4069 heading into Lyneham

Go to the top of the hill seen in SU0079 : B4069 towards Lyneham

Maurice Pullin

2011 : B4069 at the top of Lyneham Banks heading east

Half a mile to the A3102 and Lyneham. No more the sound of aircraft landing and leaving the RAF base a few hundred yards to the south.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : B4069 at the top of Lyneham Banks

Heading west and about to drop down to Dauntsey Lock on the way to Christian Malford and Chippenham.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : East over a ploughed field off the B4069

At The Banks. Landing lights (now redundant) for the nearby Lyneham Airfield line up on the far side of the field. Houses on the edge of Lyneham peer over the hill.

Maurice Pullin

Lyneham, Wiltshire

Sign on the B4069. As can be seen by the other sign, the C-130 Hercules aircraft flew over the road near here on approach to RAF Lyneham before they moved to RAF Brize Norton

Mike Gentry

Car dealer near Lyneham

David Smith

Turning to Bradenstoke in Lyneham Banks

David Smith

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.

Vieve Forward

Insured in Bradenstoke

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

Neil Owen

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?

Neil Owen

The Cross Keys

A large sign outside the pub.

Neil Owen

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.

Neil Owen

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.

Neil Owen

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.

Neil Owen

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.

Neil Owen

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.

Neil Owen

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Clack Mount is located at Grid Ref: ST9979 (Lat: 51.513, Lng: -2.007)

Unitary Authority: Wiltshire

Police Authority: Wiltshire