Long Knoll
Long Knoll in profile, as seen from the top of White Sheet Hill. The quotes below introduce some background to this outstanding ridge . . .
An overview from Wikipedia:
"Long Knoll (grid reference ST794376) is a 34.2 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in the west of the English county of Wiltshire, notified in 1971. Long Knoll is a ridge of chalk grassland some 1.5 km long. It forms the parish boundary between Kilmington to the south and Maiden Bradley to the north. The ridge is 288m above sea level at its highest point. Long Knoll is a Marilyn."
An interesting quote from Wiltshire Heritage Collections:
"Sir Richard Colt-Hoare, 1810, Ancient Wiltshire, Vol.i, p.41-2. At the western and most elevated point of this hill [Long Knoll] is a low tumulus, which on opening, we found had once contained a skeleton, but had been disturbed, probably when the boundary ditch between the counties of Wilts and Somerset was made across the barrow."
And this from Ancient Monuments:
"Earthwork remains of two Bronze Age bowl barrows aligned north south. Early 19th century excavation uncovered 'ancient' pottery, an inhumation and Roman coins. The northern barrow is 12m in diameter and the souther 10m. Scheduled."
Wiltshire County Council adds an update:
"An undated mound, found by Julian Richards in 1997 as part of the fieldwork for MPP. It may be this barrow excavated by Hoare."
For a very useful catalogue of Long Knoll's natural history (and the source for the above Wikipedia quote) see English Nature's document.
Finally, a succinct but astute reference from Wanderings In Wessex by Edric Holmes.
"Beyond the last of the Deverills is Maiden Bradley, alone with its guardian hills, which ring it round with summits well over 800 feet above the sea. Long Knoll is the monarch of this miniature range and well repays the explorer who climbs to its summit with a most delightful view."
Long Knoll from Stourton Lane
*also see charity art installation
Selected from my submissions at Geograph
Maiden Bradley on Geograph
jp / 02-07-11
THERES A COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED ITEM TO FEATURE
HERE (shortly)