One of the lesser-known prehistoric monuments in the North Wessex Downs is Wayland’s Smithy, a nationally important scheduled monument. Last year our Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) programme worked with Historic England, Ridgeway National Trails and the Historic Ridgeway Project on a project based around the site.
A nationally important scheduled monument
One of the lesser-known prehistoric monuments in the North Wessex Downs is Wayland’s Smithy, an impressive Neolithic burial chamber situated just off the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire. Imposing standing stones guard the entrance to the burial mound, leading to stunning views across the downs and surrounded by a stand of beautiful mature beech trees. It’s a nationally important scheduled monument, over 5,000 years old and provides an important glimpse into pre-historic life in the area.
Last year our Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) programme worked with Historic England, Ridgeway National Trails and the Historic Ridgeway Project on a project based around the site. Funding was provided to improve fencing, produce educational resources for schools and develop publicly available lectures.
New fencing enhances the setting
The previous wood and wire fencing was long past its best and FiPL provided funding for replacement ‘estate fencing’ – durable welded metal fencing to protect the monument and enhance its setting. The new fencing looks stunning under the beech trees, providing a sense of dignity to the site and protecting it from livestock and other encroachments, long into the future.
Sharing learning
The project also supported the development of a wonderful new educational pack for primary school teachers, aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils (7-11 years). It provides lesson plans introducing children to the site, either in the classroom or on a visit to the site. The lessons cover the history of the site and the area, life in neolithic times, how the site has changed over time and the local geography and wildlife.
Finally, our funding enabled the production of 8 new lectures on the Ridgeway, covering the history of the Ridgeway, farming along the Ridgeway, hillforts, the language of the past and what the modern-day Friends of the Ridgeway do.
View Historic Ridgeway Lectures
Visiting Waylands Smithy
Waylands Smithy is easily accessible from the Ridgeway and only just over a kilometre from the nearest road, by foot or bicycle. Between Swindon and Wantage it’s a beautiful, peaceful site high on the chalk downs. Full of history, there is even a mysterious legend about a blacksmith who will shoe your horse overnight if you leave him a coin!
It’s also near the famous Uffington White Horse and wonderful walking country – see our interactive map for more details about the area. Interactive Map – North Wessex Downs National Landscape
Interactive map