Belas knap overnight parking ?

Belas Knap 6

Image by thesweetcheat

harestonesdown Apr 24, 2013 05:27:21

Planning on heading there before moving on to Avebury for the summer solstice. Looks like a discreet wild camp in the woods close by would be a doddle, but what about parking ? and any dwellings visible from those woods ?

Any tips ?

Would leave nothing in the car as per but i've absolutely no local knowledge so can anyone offer any advice ?

Cheers in advance.

juamei Apr 24, 2013 07:42:40

Replying to harestonesdown

There are 2-3 parking spaces on the road closest, but with big signs up warning of break-ins to cars... I cant recall farms/buildings nearby...

Evergreen Dazed Apr 24, 2013 08:05:21

Replying to harestonesdown

Im only aware of the parking J mentioned, off the narrow road at the bottom of the hill, but definitely wouldn't leave a car there overnight.

harestonesdown Apr 24, 2013 09:38:52

Replying to harestonesdown

Darn !
Kinda expected that to be the case.
Cheers for the info.

thesweetcheat Apr 24, 2013 12:39:23

Replying to harestonesdown

The farms are a bit downhill from the woods I think, but I wouldn't necessarily trust to leave a car round there. It's a bit of a haunt for kids with motorbikes (not that that makes them criminals, obviously).

There are the gangs of swastika-drawing goons to avoid too. :)

Gwass Apr 24, 2013 16:03:37

Replying to harestonesdown

Alright Geoff

I'm pretty sure that you aren't visible to any farms/houses from Belas Knap and certainly not from the woods.

When I've been there's been evidence of people camping nearby the barrow just after you pass through the woods onto the fields where the barrow is located.

I normally park by the direct track through the woods rather than the Cotswold Way path to the barrow. I wouldn't leave anything in the car obviously but I personally wouldn't have any more issues with leaving a car their overnight than any other rural lane but that's just me!

Cheers

Gwass Apr 24, 2013 16:21:55

Replying to harestonesdown

Just looked on arial images of BK and there's a clearing at the end of the woods next to the barrow, you basically arrive at this point after following the woodland path up.

This is where I'd seen evidence of camping and you'd never be spotted there. I park where the road has woods on both sides and turns quite sharply near Humblebee Cottages, the path in the woods starts here too.

I think that'd be a superb place to do a solo camp, very atmospheric and secluded with the woods then onto Avebury for the solstice.

The perfect combination, I'm jealous!