Widley's Gorse

Wood, Forest in Wiltshire

England

Widley's Gorse

Sherston allotments A patch for the villagers to grow more. — Sherston allotments Credit: Neil Owen

Widley's Gorse, located in Wiltshire, is a small but significant woodland area nestled in the heart of the county. Covering an approximate area of 20 acres, Widley's Gorse is a dense and thriving forest that captivates nature enthusiasts and provides a haven for diverse flora and fauna.

The woodland is predominantly composed of gorse, a spiny evergreen shrub that blankets the forest floor with vibrant yellow flowers during the summer months, creating a picturesque and visually striking landscape. The gorse is interspersed with patches of oak, birch, and beech trees, which provide shade and shelter for the woodland inhabitants.

Widley's Gorse is teeming with wildlife, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike. The forest is home to a variety of bird species, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, and tawny owls. The undergrowth is alive with small mammals such as rabbits, voles, and squirrels, while the occasional deer can also be spotted roaming through the woodland.

The forest is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained footpaths, offering visitors the opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in the tranquil surroundings. These paths wind through the woods, leading to open clearings and hidden glades, where visitors can relax and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.

Widley's Gorse is not only a haven for wildlife and a delight for nature enthusiasts, but it also serves as an important ecological hub, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the region. With its enchanting scenery and abundant wildlife, Widley's Gorse is a cherished gem within the picturesque Wiltshire countryside.

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Widley's Gorse Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.561664/-2.2205486 or Grid Reference ST8484. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Sherston allotments A patch for the villagers to grow more.

Sherston allotments

A patch for the villagers to grow more.

Sherston school The village school, with a squirrel weathervane.

Sherston school

The village school, with a squirrel weathervane.

Sustainable Sherston A stall at the corner of the allotments show the results of some hard graft.

Sustainable Sherston

A stall at the corner of the allotments show the results of some hard graft.

Sherston reservoir To the west of the village is a covered reservoir, with a water tower-cum-mobile communications station.

Sherston reservoir

To the west of the village is a covered reservoir, with a water tower-cum-mobile communications station.

Sherston earthworks The pronounced earth embankment to the west of the village church is only partly enclosed and lies on the plateau close to the valley formed by the Sherston branch of the Avon. Fencing marks some of the line.

The village has a long history, and as it lies close to the Fosse Way it is not surprising there have been Roman finds. Indeed, there are a few flint arrowheads too, but the main records are of the Saxon era onwards.

Sherston earthworks

The pronounced earth embankment to the west of the village church is only partly enclosed and lies on the plateau close to the valley formed by the Sherston branch of the Avon. Fencing marks some of the line. The village has a long history, and as it lies close to the Fosse Way it is not surprising there have been Roman finds. Indeed, there are a few flint arrowheads too, but the main records are of the Saxon era onwards.

A path past the earthworks The footpath Sher22 leaves Sopworth Lane and goes past the ancient earthworks. It follows on to meet part of the Macmillan Way.

A path past the earthworks

The footpath Sher22 leaves Sopworth Lane and goes past the ancient earthworks. It follows on to meet part of the Macmillan Way.

A wall around Sherston? The ancient earthworks partly enclose a small area of land on the western edge of Sherston. It is mainly inaccessible but the embankment is clear from the road. Trees now proliferate.

A wall around Sherston?

The ancient earthworks partly enclose a small area of land on the western edge of Sherston. It is mainly inaccessible but the embankment is clear from the road. Trees now proliferate.

Pennymead: Sherston's recreation ground The village is well provided for with a large open field near the church. It now has modern play equipment for children after a successful grant from the National Lottery.

Pennymead: Sherston's recreation ground

The village is well provided for with a large open field near the church. It now has modern play equipment for children after a successful grant from the National Lottery.

Old hands at the game An inscribed stone records that the wall of the recreation ground was rebuilt in 1935 by three people, whose combined ages totalled 207 years!

Old hands at the game

An inscribed stone records that the wall of the recreation ground was rebuilt in 1935 by three people, whose combined ages totalled 207 years!

Sherston Congregational church Sherston has a small number of place to worship but this church in Cliff Road (previously Back Street) is an interesting one. It was originally a barn that was bought by a local farmer by the name of Cook. He rebuilt it as a licensed chapel with a vestry; it opened in October, 1825 , holding 200 parishioners.

Sherston Congregational church

Sherston has a small number of place to worship but this church in Cliff Road (previously Back Street) is an interesting one. It was originally a barn that was bought by a local farmer by the name of Cook. He rebuilt it as a licensed chapel with a vestry; it opened in October, 1825 , holding 200 parishioners.

A path down Tanners Hill A short but steep drop from Grove Road.

A path down Tanners Hill

A short but steep drop from Grove Road.

The Avon at the bottom of Tanners Hill The River Avon gathers a number of small streams, like the Shallow Brook, before running to the south of Sherston. Lining the banks are a few houses that make use of their backdrop.

The Avon at the bottom of Tanners Hill

The River Avon gathers a number of small streams, like the Shallow Brook, before running to the south of Sherston. Lining the banks are a few houses that make use of their backdrop.

Off to meet a good neighbour The River Avon (Sherston branch) flows through the village and along the bottom of Tanners Hill. Further on at Malmesbury it will meet the River Avon (Tetbury branch), and then go on towards Bristol.

Off to meet a good neighbour

The River Avon (Sherston branch) flows through the village and along the bottom of Tanners Hill. Further on at Malmesbury it will meet the River Avon (Tetbury branch), and then go on towards Bristol.

Sherston beyond the fields From a field gate, the tower of the church of the Holy Cross can be seen in the distance.

Sherston beyond the fields

From a field gate, the tower of the church of the Holy Cross can be seen in the distance.

Overgrown at Forlorn Some minor farm buildings at the crossroads known as Forlorn. The road from Easton Town is the C27 and meets the Foxley Road.

Overgrown at Forlorn

Some minor farm buildings at the crossroads known as Forlorn. The road from Easton Town is the C27 and meets the Foxley Road.

Signpost at Easton Town The post bears some wooden arms which have individual plastic lettering, tacked on. However, the fractional mileage are separate cast metal affairs, probably a left-over from when the whole arm was cast.

Signpost at Easton Town

The post bears some wooden arms which have individual plastic lettering, tacked on. However, the fractional mileage are separate cast metal affairs, probably a left-over from when the whole arm was cast.

The Avon at Pinkney Wood The fledgling Avon begins to gather momentum from Easton Town and there will be weirs coming up soon.

The Avon at Pinkney Wood

The fledgling Avon begins to gather momentum from Easton Town and there will be weirs coming up soon.

Pinkney Wood A mixture of mature deciduous specimens.

Pinkney Wood

A mixture of mature deciduous specimens.

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Widley's Gorse is located at Grid Ref: ST8484 (Lat: 51.561664, Lng: -2.2205486)

Unitary Authority: Wiltshire

Police Authority: Wiltshire

What 3 Words

///yummy.novels.frowns. Near Sherston, Wiltshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.561664,-2.2205486

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Lat/Long: 51.562617/-2.2183234

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Lat/Long: 51.5619447/-2.2186007

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Lat/Long: 51.5618011/-2.217319

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Lat/Long: 51.5634636/-2.2179414

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Lat/Long: 51.5612609/-2.2186993

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Lat/Long: 51.5605963/-2.2194604

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Lat/Long: 51.5598358/-2.2200827

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Lat/Long: 51.5604584/-2.218801

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Lat/Long: 51.56024/-2.2178027

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Lat/Long: 51.5600159/-2.2167922

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Lat/Long: 51.5597995/-2.2157877

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Lat/Long: 51.5595907/-2.2148049

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Lat/Long: 51.564421/-2.2178266

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Lat/Long: 51.565063/-2.2172743

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Lat/Long: 51.559109/-2.2206558

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Lat/Long: 51.558372/-2.2212727

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Lat/Long: 51.5576182/-2.2218628

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

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