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Wansdyke

Heritage Site in Wiltshire

England

Wansdyke

A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [17] Seen from Rybury, atop Clifford's Hill, is this sweeping view of downland. Hill Barn is in the distance with Milk Hill on the right. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [17] Credit: Michael Dibb

Wansdyke is an ancient earthwork located in Wiltshire, England. It stretches for approximately 40 miles, running across the landscape from the village of Maes Knoll near Bristol to the town of Savernake near Marlborough. The earthwork is believed to have been constructed during the early medieval period, around the 5th or 6th century AD.

Wansdyke consists of a bank and ditch, with the bank being on the northern side of the earthwork. The bank measures around 20 feet wide and 6 feet high, while the ditch is approximately 10 feet wide and 6 feet deep. The earthwork was likely built as a defensive boundary or demarcation line to protect the kingdom of Wessex from the invading Saxon armies.

Today, Wansdyke is a designated heritage site and a popular destination for hikers, walkers, and history enthusiasts. The earthwork offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and provides visitors with a tangible link to the region's ancient past.

Throughout the years, Wansdyke has undergone some erosion and damage, but efforts have been made to preserve and protect this historical monument. Archaeological investigations have taken place at various sections of the earthwork, unearthing artifacts and providing valuable insights into its construction and purpose.

Overall, Wansdyke stands as a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the people who lived in the area centuries ago and serves as a reminder of the rich history of Wiltshire.

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Wansdyke Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.378/-1.848 or Grid Reference SU1064. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [17] Seen from Rybury, atop Clifford's Hill, is this sweeping view of downland. Hill Barn is in the distance with Milk Hill on the right. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [17]
Seen from Rybury, atop Clifford's Hill, is this sweeping view of downland. Hill Barn is in the distance with Milk Hill on the right. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [21] Seen, from the bridleway, is this view of the downs. Hill Barn is just right of centre with Milk Hill beyond. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [21]
Seen, from the bridleway, is this view of the downs. Hill Barn is just right of centre with Milk Hill beyond. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
Wansdyke running east towards Milk Hill
Wansdyke running east towards Milk Hill
Wansdyke - view west towards Tan Hill
Wansdyke - view west towards Tan Hill
View towards Hill Barn from western side of Milk Hill Before the rain set in for the day.
View towards Hill Barn from western side of Milk Hill
Before the rain set in for the day.
The Wansdyke, East of Tan Hill This is an extremely impressive ditch and earthwork running across the Pewsey Downs. It is up to some 30 feet deep in places and was probably dug (futilely) by the Britons in the 6-7th Century to try to fend off Saxon invasion from the north.
The Wansdyke, East of Tan Hill
This is an extremely impressive ditch and earthwork running across the Pewsey Downs. It is up to some 30 feet deep in places and was probably dug (futilely) by the Britons in the 6-7th Century to try to fend off Saxon invasion from the north.
Downland West of Milk Hill. Rolling grassy fields north-west of Pewsey lead up to Milk Hill which has a white horse carved on the other side of it.
Downland West of Milk Hill.
Rolling grassy fields north-west of Pewsey lead up to Milk Hill which has a white horse carved on the other side of it.
The Wansdyke, Looking East to Milk Hill. This Ancient British earthwork crosses a grassy Downland landscape, remarkably bare of trees. This isolated tree is a good landmark. Sheep in the ditch find shelter from the wind.
The Wansdyke, Looking East to Milk Hill.
This Ancient British earthwork crosses a grassy Downland landscape, remarkably bare of trees. This isolated tree is a good landmark. Sheep in the ditch find shelter from the wind.
Downland view, Stanton St Bernard A view across the Vale of Pewsey towards Salisbury Plain. The group of old farm buildings, left of centre, is beside the footpath between the village and Milk Hill.
Downland view, Stanton St Bernard
A view across the Vale of Pewsey towards Salisbury Plain. The group of old farm buildings, left of centre, is beside the footpath between the village and Milk Hill.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard A view across the arable fields that occupy the valley between Milk Hill and Clifford's Hill, viewed from the slopes of the former.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard
A view across the arable fields that occupy the valley between Milk Hill and Clifford's Hill, viewed from the slopes of the former.
Downland view, Stanton St Bernard A view of the western part of the Vale of Pewsey where arable fields dominate the scene.
Downland view, Stanton St Bernard
A view of the western part of the Vale of Pewsey where arable fields dominate the scene.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard A view of Hill Barn and across to Tan Hill, the highest point in Wiltshire.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard
A view of Hill Barn and across to Tan Hill, the highest point in Wiltshire.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard A view of Hill Barn, Clifford's Hill (left) and Tan Hill (right) from the northwestern slopes of Milk Hill.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard
A view of Hill Barn, Clifford's Hill (left) and Tan Hill (right) from the northwestern slopes of Milk Hill.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard A view across to Tan Hill, the eastern shadowy shoulder of which is within this grid-square. The field below is of oil-seed rape. The surrounding slopes are all grazed, though here not intensively.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard
A view across to Tan Hill, the eastern shadowy shoulder of which is within this grid-square. The field below is of oil-seed rape. The surrounding slopes are all grazed, though here not intensively.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard On access land, not the right of way, between Milk Hill and Tan Hill. Wansdyke can be made out climbing the latter.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard
On access land, not the right of way, between Milk Hill and Tan Hill. Wansdyke can be made out climbing the latter.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard Hill Barn is to the left. Clifford's Hill is straight ahead. A surfaced farm track climbs the hillside roughly on the line of a public bridleway.
Downland, Stanton St Bernard
Hill Barn is to the left. Clifford's Hill is straight ahead. A surfaced farm track climbs the hillside roughly on the line of a public bridleway.
Downland, All Cannings The southern flank of Tan Hill in a view of Milk Hill.
Downland, All Cannings
The southern flank of Tan Hill in a view of Milk Hill.
Pillbox between Stanton St Bernard and Alton Barnes
Pillbox between Stanton St Bernard and Alton Barnes
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Wansdyke is located at Grid Ref: SU1064 (Lat: 51.378, Lng: -1.848)

Unitary Authority: Wiltshire

Police Authority: Wiltshire

What 3 Words

///grinders.emporium.passages. Near Huish, Wiltshire

Nearby Locations

Milk Hill Wansdyke

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.378,-1.848
Milk Hill
Access: private
Ele: 295
Natural: peak
Wikidata: Q6857989
Wikipedia: en:Milk Hill
Lat/Long: 51.3784859/-1.8521581
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Archaeological Site: tumulus
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 51.3737677/-1.8473172
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Archaeological Site: tumulus
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 51.3740657/-1.8495756
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Wansdyke Somerset
Wantyn Dyke Montgomeryshire

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