Dean, West

Rectory Hill, West Dean

Crop field near West Dean

Grazing towards the Southampton Canal

Dean (Wilts) railway station

Opened in 1847 on the London & South Western Railway's line from Southampton to Salisbury. View west towards Salisbury. Despite the name of the station in railway timetables showing "Wilts", there was an old Network South East "Welcome to Hampshire" sign on the platform when this image was taken. The station is right on the border.

Footbridge over river Dun and former Red Lion Pub, West Dean

Through the fields towards West Dean

View from a Southampton-Salisbury train - Fields near East Dene

View from a Southampton-Salisbury train - Crossing the River Dun

View from a Southampton-Salisbury train - Fine blossom in Fine Wood

Dean Hill Park: aerial 2017

Former Royal Naval Armaments Depot Dean Hill. The MoD opened up a rail link running behind East Dean’s ancient church to bring weapons in and out of the site and the depot was opened in 1941. After the end of World War II, the Dean Hill depot continued to process and store the Royal Navy’s conventional weapons and provided overflow storage for more sophisticated weapons for RNAD Gosport. In 1994, the MoD closed the rail link and thereafter weapons were moved in and out of the site by road. In 2006, when Harving Ltd took over Dean Hill Park, it also acquired the narrow-gauge track, extending to some 7 km, as well as two Baguley Drewry diesel 60hp locomotives, two brake vans and a number of railway wagons. But, having assessed the costs involved in maintaining the rail track and rolling stock, Harving has reluctantly decided that it should be removed and sold. Most of the track has already been lifted, leaving the railway formation, which will provide tracks for pedestrians and vehicles around the site as well as preserving important environmental habitats. For full history see: Link

Chris

Dean House: red brick at West Dean

Here in Wiltshire red brick often has flint as a partner. The use of brick on its own gives a less rustic impression - was the intention to convey higher social standing? The road runs downhill into the valley of the little River Dun - notice the grit-bin for wintry weather.

West Dean: St Mary's church

Dating from 1866. If I'd had my Wiltshire Pevsner with me, I'd have realised that there is a much older church nearby (or at least the remains of it). The view is south, across the valley of the little River Dun.

Green acres: countryside south of West Dean, early June

Looking north across the valley of the River Dun. From up here on the ridge it's clear that parts of south-east Wiltshire are well-wooded, quite unlike the open downland of Salisbury Plain and the Marlborough Downs. The title I've chosen is a bit cheeky - inspired by the name of a nearby property I spotted on the map. And it has to be said that while the scene is very green to the eye, in another sense the vast area of cereal monoculture is quite the opposite: un-green.

West Dean: the old Red Lion

The frame for the pub sign is still there at the top of its post, but this is yet another village pub that's no longer in business. I ought to say, though, that there's a pub nearby that seems to be thriving. The tall vegetation is growing along the banks of a little river called the Dun. So - for once! - nature conservation trumps concerns for the village's chances in the 'tidiest village' stakes.