Stonehenge & Environs

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costaexpress C
costaexpress Nov 2, 2017 11:14:42

In light of all the recent press and tv coverage the area has been getting I am going to revisit the area later this month and have a good walk around the wider Stonehenge environment. There are two sites in particular that I have not visited before and was looking for some assistance. The first is Bluestone henge. Is there anything to mark where the dig took place or is it simply the spot in the field where the coordinates place you. The second site I am interested in is Blick Mead. Looking at google maps I can't see an obvious way in. I believe it is sited on what is described as 'very private property', not sure how that differs from private property unless it is a sensitive government site. Not asking anyone to help me trespass, however, was looking for any hints eg starting point or anything that might help me work my way in

S Smithone
Smithone Nov 2, 2017 14:42:12
Replying to costaexpress

Please do not attempt to access Blick Mead which is on private land and owing to the vulnerability and sensitivity of the site is not accessible to the wider public. Thank you for your understanding and respect. There will be some news about recent discoveries early in 2018.

M Monganaut
Monganaut Nov 2, 2017 15:15:46
Replying to costaexpress

Did something similar a coupla months back, a large circular walk around the outer sites and environs. Mind you, it's fairly long trudge, and probably requires more daylight than this time of year, unless you're a pretty fast hiker. Was interesting that Stonehenge itself is fairly prominent in the landscape from all directions, just like Silbury. It's only the dip in the Avenue, and the final walk to them where it disappears below your sightlines before the big reveal. Looks spectacular when the sun is setting behind it.

Eng Heritage have a nice PDF of footpaths to the North of the stones plus various marker boards dotted around to illustrate the various sites and things to see...

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stonehenge-landscape/documents/circular-route-from-durrington-to-stonehenge.pdf

I'm sure there was another walk PDf they produces for sites further out, but can't seem to find it online at the minute.

Don't recall there being any evidence of the Bluestone Henge dig (though that's the idea post dig, return the site to as you found it, or as best you can).

As the other poster Re:'da Blik', best left alone else it'd be trampled to hell.

Have fun if you make it, also take some warm clothes, as evening falls, it get remarkably chilly on the plain, even in early Sept when I did it.

If you fancy a linear tramp, there's a nice C4 PDf for the Tony Robinson series...

http://www.channel4.com/microsites/W/Walking-Through-History/Walking-Through-History2-Stonehenge.pdf

G GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 4, 2017 09:39:49
Replying to costaexpress

One does get the feeling, however, that Stonehenge gets all this attention, research etc precisely because it is an easy option for archaeologists?

Carol makes a fundamental point for me... who's making it their labour of love to research, investigate... PROTECT... those sites upon cold, windy hillsides in the middle of nowhere, those sites left to the whims of landowners whether they are trampled to pieces by livestock or not?

For me it is these places where the real human story of our ancestors was played out. Not a showpiece like Stonehenge where, presumably, people would have come to see and be seen... in other words adopt a false persona? But why bother when Stonehenge is such an easy commute to the office.. when you can simply jump everybody else's train?