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Fieldnotes
| When visiting the Devil's Den I now always park in the purpose built carpark that overlooks Clatford Bottom. A few reasons for this are that it is a good starting point when visiting Clatford & Fyfield Down as it takes you right onto the downs. I do not have to leave my car on the side of the A4 where there really isn't a good easy a safe parking spot. And not least because the route to the cromlech is fantastic with views right across the downs and gives you tantalising glimpses as you approach. The carpark is found by turning off the A4 at Manton towards Manton Hollow. Just keep following the road up the hill and turn left when it forks at the top (right is a private road anyway). This takes you into the free carpark surrounded by trees and which can be a bit muddy but never too bad. From here you head NW along a straight track by the side of the Horse Training Circuit (behind the conifers). I often wonder if it is ok to drive your car along here as it is a good road but have always opted for walking after all I need to lose a stone or 5! Anyway go along the track for about 750m where it curves right when you want to go left and through a access gate. From here on in it gets very peaceful and the noise of traffic on the A4 replaced by breeze and beautiful birdsong, even in January. I must admit I was hoping for a bit of snow after the big freeze we have had but now there are only a few patches left in shaded areas. After going through the gate you follow the grassy track SW and downwards into the valley. From here you can go on towards Fyfield down and the Greywhethers and the up onto the Ridgeway. The view along the valley is fantastic and on Fyfield down you can go and see the Polisher & Cup Marked stones. If you follow the fencing on your left it will take you off the grassy track and South along another track towards Clatford Bottom. From here you can see the Devils Den nestled at the bottom of the valley. The route gets quite steep for a short distance so watch your footing especially if its wet. At the bottom there is a get on your left but before going through look at the jumble of sarcens in on the right. These is a lovely little group and I am sure there is more to them than meets the eye. Go through the gat and along the footpath towards the cromlech, this section is a constant trip hazard so again watch your step. You will soon get to the gate and into the close off area in which the Devil's Den can be found. Just before the gate there is a large sarsen by the side of the footpath. If you go over to it you will see that it has been split into three sections. I am not sure what has done this and assume it is frost action but the way it has happened looks so perfect almost man made…see what you think. Every time I have visited this place it has been very peaceful and this visit was no exception. I spent nearly two hours here, taking photo's, eating my pack lunch and just listening to the sounds around me and with nobody else to disturb me. Lovely. :o) |
Posted by scubi6317th January 2010ce |
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