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<< Our Photo Pages >> Old Sarum - Hillfort in England in Wiltshire

Submitted by Andy B on Tuesday, 05 February 2013  Page Views: 34380

Iron Age and Later PrehistorySite Name: Old Sarum
Country: England County: Wiltshire Type: Hillfort
Nearest Town: Salisbury
Map Ref: SU13783266  Landranger Map Number: 184
Latitude: 51.093087N  Longitude: 1.804608W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 5

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Couplands visited on 11th Sep 2023 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

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XIII saw from a distance on 12th Aug 2015 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

TwinFlamesKiss visited on 1st Dec 2012 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

SolarMegalith visited on 10th May 2011 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5

custer visited on 13th Nov 2010 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5 Photos dont do it justice. So difficult to capture the height. Again must be a great sight from all the small airplanes taking of from nearby runway.

ForestDaughter visited on 25th Sep 2008 - their rating: Access: 5

graemefield visited on 27th Jun 2007 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

jeffrep visited on 30th Sep 2005 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 4

scherre visited on 1st Sep 1999 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 4

RedKite1985 visited on 1st Jan 1998 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 4 Access: 5

NorthernerInLondon visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 3 Access: 5

MartinJEley visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 3 Access: 4 I recall visiting this many years ago as a young man. I particularly remember the remnants of Bishop Roger's Cathedral.

coin visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5

FrothNinja AngieLake TimPrevett JimChampion NickyD have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.54 Ambience: 4.15 Access: 4.54

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by AngieLake : The footbridge to the fort at Old Sarum spans the 'new' Salisbury Cathedral's spire in the distance. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Hillfort in Wiltshire. Old Sarum hillfort consists of a single bank and ditch. Later it became the Roman station of Sorviodunum and then a Norman castle motte was added. Sarum became the site of the first Salisbury Cathedral, which was then moved to its present location by the River Avon.

Iron Age hillfort, dramatic Norman motte, Norman cathedral ruins and the humps and bumps of the houses and shops of the first Salisbury make this a truly fascinating place to spend the day. Easy access and parking, free admission to the hillfort, but English Heritage admission charge to the motte.

Note: Volunteer 'Neolithic Builders' required from March 2013 onwards, see comments
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Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by croppy : Old Sarum arial shot 2007 (Vote or comment on this photo)

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by jeffrep : Ruins of the old palace structure at Old Sarum, Wiltshire, England. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by ForestDaughter : Standing on the ramparts of the motte...very briefly, as I'm incurably acrophobic! (Vote or comment on this photo)

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by SolarMegalith : A massive rampart and a ditch in northern part of Old Sarum hillfort - view from the east (photo taken on May 2011). (11 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by SolarMegalith : Ruined 12th century gatehouse of a royal castle with earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort visible in the background on the right (photo taken on May 2011). (Vote or comment on this photo)

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by ForestDaughter : The motte viewed from the remains of the original cathedral.

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by ForestDaughter : From the motte ramparts, showing Salisbury in the distance with a tiny view of the cathedral spire.

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by SolarMegalith : Section of the ditch in southern part of the hillfort (photo taken on May 2011).

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by SolarMegalith : Inner bank, ditch and outer bank in southern sctor of an Iron Age hillfort (photo taken on May 2011).

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by Thorgrim : The hillfort is oval in shape and measures 360m from north to south and 405m from east to west.

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by SolarMegalith : Rampart and a ditch in eastern part of Old Sarum hillfort - view from the NE (photo taken on May 2011).

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by Thorgrim : Single bank and ditch of the Iron Age hillfort.

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by Horatio : I guess most visitors minds are only of the early medieval castle, whereas I'm more towards the neolithic village and then later Iron Age fort. There is a 'Finds box' tucked away in Salisbury Museum where there are several Neolithic flint axes that have been discovered on Old Sarum, providing evidence that skilled people lived in this area at some time between 4,000 BCE - 2300 BCE.

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by SarumStroller1 : Old Sarum, at Night, showing outline.

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by graemefield : Panoramic of Old Sarum October 01st 2012

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by SolarMegalith : Old Sarum - view from the south (photo taken on May 2011).

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by croppy : Old Sarum 2006

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by croppy : Old Sarum arial shot 2007

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by JimChampion : Looking down into the ditch on the south-western side of Old Sarum, from the top of the inner bank. The recently cut beech stump in the foreground is a sign of recent clearance work, advertised by English Heritage as being about scrub removal to help stabilise the topsoil on the ramparts. The mature beech trees are supposed to be left intact - perhaps this one was considered dangerous? Beyond the ...

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by TimPrevett : Walking from Salisbury centre along the river, then taking The Portway, just SW of Old Sarum is this stone set off the track. I assume it's modern, and once had a plaque on it, but does anyone know why it's here? (2 comments)

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by ernar : View of Old Sarum from the exterior rampart of the old hillfort.

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by Stonetramp : Does anyone know what this area of inlaid stone strips might have been used for? I meant to ask before I left Old Sarum, but forgot. Thanks.

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by TwinFlamesKiss : Old Sarum

Old Sarum
Old Sarum submitted by TheDruid-3X3 : Old Pillar Ruins of the Old Sarum Cathedral Treasury Vault. The Pillar is surrounded by blocks of Sarsen Stone. It is my Theory that those Sarsen Stone Blocks were taken from The Stonehenge. I think the missing pieces of The Stonehenge were taken and carved into Stones that were used for building material to make the Castle and Cathedral of Old Sarum. Back in that time, the early C...

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The Society of Leyhunters by Eric Sargeant
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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 1.1km NW 313° North Hill Down* Barrow Cemetery (SU12953343)
 3.3km S 175° Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum* Museum (SU141294)
 4.5km NW 310° Newton Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SU10273556)
 4.6km SSE 166° Rowbarrow Salisbury* Misc. Earthwork (SU14902820)
 4.6km NW 308° South Newton Round Barrow(s) (SU101355)
 4.7km N 355° Little Down Barrow Group* Barrow Cemetery (SU13333738)
 4.9km NW 325° Woodford Round Barrow(s) (SU10983670)
 5.2km ENE 77° Figsbury Rings* Hillfort (SU18833382)
 5.3km NW 320° Heale Hill Round Barrow(s) (SU10343670)
 5.4km E 92° Fussell's Lodge* Long Barrow (SU19183247)
 5.5km ENE 61° Horse Barrow Round Barrow(s) (SU18623533)
 5.7km N 5° Ogbury Camp* Hillfort (SU143383)
 5.7km ESE 114° Grim's Ditch 2 (Wiltshire) Misc. Earthwork (SU19023039)
 6.0km N 355° Wilsford Cum Lake Bowl Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SU13213866)
 6.6km E 80° Thorny Down Enclosure Ancient Village or Settlement (SU203338)
 6.6km SW 235° Neale's Barrow Round Barrow(s) (SU0836228791)
 6.9km N 9° Amesbury Down Triple Bell Barrow Round Barrow(s) (SU14833944)
 7.0km NNW 343° Lake Down Barrow Cemetery Barrow Cemetery (SU117393)
 7.0km ENE 72° Battery Hill Long Barrow Long Barrow (SU20493481)
 7.1km ENE 72° Battery Hill Bowl Barrow Round Barrow(s) (SU20573485)
 7.2km ESE 105° Clarendon Park Bowl Barrows Barrow Cemetery (SU20733079)
 7.3km NW 319° Druids Head Farm Barrows Round Barrow(s) (SU08933815)
 7.4km NNW 345° Wilsford Barrow Cemetery Barrow Cemetery (SU118398)
 7.6km N 4° Amesbury Down Bowl Barrows Barrow Cemetery (SU14314020)
 8.1km NNW 339° Lake Barrow Cemetery* Barrow Cemetery (SU109402)
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"Old Sarum" | Login/Create an Account | 17 News and Comments
  
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Re: Old Sarum by Anonymous on Friday, 19 July 2019
Old Sarum lies on an alignment that runs from Le Mont St. Michel in Normandy - Stonehenge, - Avebury & is part of an alignment triangle from St. Michael's Mount, Cornwall, - Avebury - Le Mont St Michel. which also includes Glastonbury Tor. The alignment is studied & followed by satellite in the following post;
https://ancientwhisperspenwith.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-st-michael-triangle-duke-line.html
[ Reply to This ]

Morris dancing at Old Sarum, 1st May 2015, 5.15am by Anonymous on Wednesday, 29 April 2015
Dance in the Dawn, Sarum Morris, 5.15am, 1st May 2015.
http://www.sarummorris.co.uk/New%20Dance%20programme%202015.htm
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Stonehenge Neolithic Houses project blog by Andy B on Wednesday, 06 February 2013
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The project has a blog here: Stonehenge Neolithic Houses

February 5, 2013 - A Neolithic industrial landscape
Today we were back in our original coup to finish collecting the last of the small hazel rods.
Our volunteers didn’t look particularly surprised when the flint tools appeared again, we are wondering whether the excitement of using them is wearing off.

Over the last couple of days we have also been experimenting with copper and bronze axes, the buildings at Durrington Walls that we are reconstructing were built at the end of the Neolithic era. It soon became apparent that these axes with their sharp metal edges are more efficient at cutting wood and, given the chance, most of our volunteers preferred them.

More here
http://neolithichouses.wordpress.com/

with thanks to Ian Parker Heath for the link
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Volunteer 'Neolithic Builders' Required, March to May 2013 by Andy B on Monday, 04 February 2013
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One of the most exciting features of the new Stonehenge visitor centre will be an external gallery, which will include three reconstructed Neolithic houses. Using archaeological evidence and authentic materials, these buildings will provide a real and tangible link for visitors to the distant past. People will be able to walk into these houses and see how people may have lived 4,500 years ago.

During excavations at Durrington Walls in 2006-7, something quite extraordinary was discovered – prehistoric houses dating to 4500 years ago. Recent radiocarbon dating has shown these houses were inhabited in around 2,500 BC; exactly the time sarsen stones were being erected nearby at Stonehenge. [this is open to interpretation - the most recent research apparantly indicates the Stonehenge dates predate the neolithic houses but let's not pick hairs and spoil a good intro... - MegP Ed]

The closeness of the dates raises the distinct possibility that the people who occupied the seasonal settlement at Durrington were involved in the construction of the sarsen stone settings and in celebrations at Stonehenge.

Be part of an archaeological experiment and help Engish Heritage present the story of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. Using traditional building methods and locally sourced materials, you could help recreate a Neolithic house based on archaeological findings.

Using traditional and locally sourced building materials and following the archaeological findings from Durrington Walls, we plan to recreate three Neolithic houses.

This is an experimental archaeology project and we will be attempting to answer questions such as:

What did the roof look like?
What is the best ‘recipe’ for making a hard chalk floor?
What was it like to be inside these houses?

The project will run over three phases and we will be looking for volunteer support at every stage:

Phase 1 – March to May 2013

Build prototype houses at Old Sarum near Salisbury, Wiltshire

It is planned that the project will run from Tuesday to Saturday during March to May 2013. We are looking for volunteers to commit to at least five days volunteering across the project.

For more details see English Heritage's volunteering page here
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/get-involved/volunteering/roles-available/8164923212

and details of the wider project are here
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/our-plans/our-proposals/new_external_gallery/

Phase 2 – October to December 2013 will involve building three houses in the external gallery at the new Stonehenge visitor centre

Phase 3 – 2014 onwards is to provide live interpretation and demonstrations for visitors to explain the lifestyles and technology of Neolithic people.

We are already hearing from readers who will be volunteering so why not join them.
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Stonehenge life-sized Neolithic homes to be built by neolithique02 on Wednesday, 03 October 2012
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A contract to build three life-sized Neolithic homes at Stonehenge in Wiltshire has been put out to tender.

English Heritage is inviting contractors to bid for the £60,000 project, which is part of a £27m scheme to improve the setting of the monument.

Using authentic materials, the prehistoric homes will be based on those excavated at Durrington Walls.

English Heritage said the buildings will provide a "real and tangible link for visitors to the distant past".

The £27m scheme to build a new visitor centre and close the road alongside the ancient monument, was begun in July.

But a "key aim" for the new centre is to create "a sense of prehistoric people using, working and living in the landscape", an English Heritage spokesperson said.

'Interactive and experimental'
The recreated Neolithic buildings will form part of an "interactive and experiential" external exhibition at the 3,500-year-old World Heritage site which receives more than one million visitors a year.

"Visitors will be able to walk into these houses, see how people may have lived 4,500 years ago and experience something of the lifestyle of the builders who constructed Stonehenge," the spokesperson said.

The prehistoric homes will be based on the foundations of dwellings discovered at Durrington Walls in 2007.

The large settlement, dating back to 2600-2500 BC, was discovered under earthworks 3km (2 miles) from the stone circle.

'Learning project'
"We've had about 15 to 20 contractors - mainly architects, traditional builders and civil engineers - respond," said Robert Campbell from English Heritage.

"But it's a learning project - the contractor will be working with volunteers, using Neolithic building techniques and materials which hopefully will have been collected from the local area.

"It's a fantastic learning experience - but quite a commitment."

A prototype Neolithic house will be erected at Old Sarum in early 2013 with the new visitor centre at Stonehenge due to open in Autumn 2013.

More news here : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-19797815
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    Re: Stonehenge life-sized Neolithic homes to be built by neolithique02 on Wednesday, 03 October 2012
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    English Heritage is undertaking a major project to improve the setting of Stonehenge and to provide new facilities for visitors. A major part of this project is the build of a new, sensitively designed and environmentally sustainable visitor centre. The visitor centre is due to open in Autumn 2013. A key aim for the new Stonehenge visitor centre, is to ‘create a sense of prehistoric people using, working and living in the landscape’. To meet this objective an external gallery will be created. In this space, three life-size Neolithic houses will be constructed, based on those excavated at nearby Durrington Walls. Using archaeological evidence and authentic materials, this will create an interactive and experiential space, providing a real and tangible link for visitors to the distant past. Visitors will be able to walk into these houses, see how people may have lived 4,500 years ago and experience something of the lifestyle of the builders who constructed Stonehenge. The houses will be prototyped at Old Sarum Castle in early 2013. The contractor will work with volunteers supplied by English Heritage to gather the necessary materials and then erect the prototype houses. This process will inform the construction of the houses at the visitor centre.

    Re-Creation Neolithic Houses, Design, Construction and volunteer workshop management.

    Reference number: WC2509

    Deadline date:01/10/2012

    This deadline is for… Expressions of Interest

    Contract value:£50,000 – £60,000

    Location where the contract is to be carried out: Wiltshire Stonehenge Visitors Centre

    Is this suitable for smaller suppliers? Yes

    Is this contract suitable for a voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations? Yes

    Name of the buying organisation: English Heritage


    http://www.government-online.net/stonehenge-environmental-improvements-project/
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Re: Old Sarum Archaeology weekend, Sat 28-Sun 29 July by Andy B on Saturday, 14 July 2012
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County: Wiltshire

Sat 28-Sun 29 July; 11.00-17.00

It's the Festival of British Archaeology - this is your chance to meet a real archaeologist [as opposed to a cardboard cutout one? - Meg P Ed] and to uncover artefacts from Old Sarum's history.

Location: Old Sarum.

Org: English Heritage
Web: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/oldsarum

Part of the Festival of British Archaeology 2012

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Street View by coldrum on Friday, 26 March 2010
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View Larger Map
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Scrub clearance at Old Sarum by Andy B on Tuesday, 23 February 2010
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ENGLISH HERITAGE has hit back at criticism of its management of Old Sarum as a fresh round of scrub clearance gets under way.

And it has confirmed that no new trees will be allowed to grow up there.

The work has upset campaigner Mo Vines, who has accused the organisation of “getting rid of our future” by felling yew and beech saplings and holly bushes.

“It will end up like Figsbury – just dead,” she said. “I want to see variety and diversity there.”

English Heritage says it is trying to preserve the embankments, which are being damaged by tree roots, by grass being shaded out on the surface, and by rabbits.

Its ultimate aim is to restore the monument’s original character as unimproved chalk grassland, and it has the backing of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

EH landscape manager for the Southwest, Chris Bally, said only scrub was being taken out, and the work was being car ried out by volunteers from the group Friends of Ancient Monuments.

He said large trees would not be felled unless they became unsafe, but he is preparing a planning application for permission to clear more thorn, ash and sycamore.

Asked whether the work would destroy the habitat of the yellowhammers whose song is a feature of the monument, he replied that the site would be far more valuable for wildlife as unimproved chalk downland, which is a rare habitat nationally.

Mrs Vines, of Winterbourne Gunner, who walks her dogs at Old Sarum and owns a field next to it, was one of the most vocal protesters when earlier clearance work was carried out in 2008. As a result, English Heritage had to call a public meeting to explain its actions.

She said: “Local people must have a say. Old Sarum should be run by the people of Salisbury for the people of Salisbury. English Heritage is not interested in our wishes.

“When they find a reason to cut the big beeches down there will be nothing left.”

Archaeologist Julian Richards, who is drawing up a management plan for the site, said he was recommending “a lot more” scrub clearance.

“The policy is going to be not to allow woodland to regenerate naturally in places where we don’t want it.

“Primarily, Old Sarum is not a nature reserve, it’s a nationally important ancient monument and English Heritage holds it in guardianship for the nation.

“I will be working with the volunteers up there on Sunday and I will be happy to explain to people what’s going on.”

Mr Richards said he was recommending to English Heritage that a Friends of Old Sarum group be formed to involve the community in its care.

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/journalnewsindex/4996707.Scrub_clearance_at_Old_Sarum/
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Old Sarum in Colt Hoare's The Ancient History of Wiltshire by JimChampion on Friday, 22 February 2008
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Sir Richard Colt Hoare writes in Chapter 10 of The Ancient History of Wiltshire (1812):

Amongst the ancient cities of our realm, there are few whose vicissitudes of fortune have been more various, or whose history has been more perspicuously recorded, than that of OLD SARUM. The dry and elevated hill on which it formerly stood, was successively occupied by Britons, Romans, Saxons, and English, and during the empire of the Romans in Britain, was distinguished by the Latin appellation of SORBIODUNUM, and the succeeding area of the Saxons by that of SEARBYRIG, SEAROBYRIG, SEAREBERI and SAARESBYRI, which in more modern times has been changed into SALISBURY.

[...]

The name of SORBIODUNUM, and the numerous raised causeways issuing from it in various directions (of which I shall hereafter give a minute detail) most clearly attest the occupation of the Romans, though in the bold ramparts still remaining of the old city, we cannot trace any vestiges of that form of castrametation which was usually adopted by them. This strong post was probably wrested from the Britons during the reign of the Emperor Claudius, when his general, Vespasian, is said to have taken twenty British towns, and to have subdued two powerful nations, one of which is supposed to have been the Belgae, who inhabited the western counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Somersetshire.

[...]

But however fallen are the walls of this once celebrated city, the remains of its proud ramparts, and its exalted situation, still continue to attract the attention of the antiquary, the stranger, and the neighbouring inhabitants. On comparing the plan of OLD SARUM, with the camps already engraved, you will at first sight perceive that the depth of its ramparts is far greater than any I have yet described; they exceed one hundred feet, whilst those of the fine camps at Yarnbury and Amesbury scarcely exceed fifty. The form of this work inclines to the circle; the area contains 27 acres and a half, and the circumference of the outward ditch is 7 furlongs 26 yards. Within the area is a circular earthen work, rising to a greater height than the outward one, and probably was the citadel: the valla of the outward and inner work are nearly of an equal height, those of the former being 106 feet, and those of the latter 100 feet. The area between the outward and inner work is in three places subdivided by earthen banks; a few fragments of ancient walls remain, and the spot is pointed out where the old church was supposed to have stood, near the western portal. There were two entrances to this city: the principal one, guarded by a horn-work, towards the east, and a smaller one, towards the west.


Link to a plan of Old Sarum and illustration of the landscape at Old Sarum from the same book.
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Old Sarum 'attacked' by Andy B on Tuesday, 22 January 2008
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Dog walkers at Old Sarum have begun a campaign to save a number of young trees from the chainsaw.

They claim scrub clearance work ordered by English Heritage is destroying the monument's atmosphere and they are urging anyone who loves the landmark to become involved by telephoning to register a protest.

However, English Heritage claims the work is necessary to safeguard the chalk embankments from erosion and says it will be better for wildlife.

Spearheading the protest is Mo Vines, of Winterbourne Gunner, who walks her six lurchers at Old Sarum twice a day and owns a field just below it.

She was distraught at what she described as the desecration of the ancient site.

"It seems they are systematically clearing the scrubland below the outer ring on the western side, between the two kissing gates," she said.

"They have already sent in the chainsaws. It's an area full of hazel, ash, sycamore, hawthorn, and lots of brambles.

"It's pretty impenetrable - only wildlife and dogs can get in there. But there's lots of ground cover for birds. There's shelter for them in the winter and shade when it's hot. Nightingales have even been recorded there in the summer.

"I was in tears on Friday when I saw what they'd done."

"I think, ultimately, they want to graze it. It will be low maintenance. But they haven't taken into consideration what local people want. At Figsbury Rings they have taken everything out so it's just grassland, and that's what I am worried the plan is for Old Sarum."

English Heritage, however, is anxious to promote the benefits of its scrub clearance operation.

Beth Cavanagh, head of visitor operations for Wiltshire and Dorset said: "This was not a hasty decision.

"We have been carrying out this type of work at Old Sarum for some time.

"We want to improve the area. Scrub lets in no light to the ground, the grass dies off, as do flowers, and you end up with bare earth underneath.

"We are re-seeding as we go, but it takes a while for the grass to re-establish. This is for the long-term future and maintenance of the monument. We are not taking out mature trees."

She added: "Way back in the Iron Age it would have been clear of scrub, because it was a fortification and an observation point."

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/salisbury/salisburynews/display.var.1951892.0.old_sarum_attacked.php
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    Re: Old Sarum 'attacked' by JimChampion on Wednesday, 20 February 2008
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    The telling comment from Mo Vines in the above article is "I think, ultimately, they want to graze it."

    When the slopes are cleared of scrub and reseeded, the grass will be grazed by sheep. Dogs and sheep do not go together well, and the dog walkers will not be happy with this disruption to their dog-walking activity. There have been dog attacks on the flock in the field next to Old Sarum, and a notice up there at the moment reminds dog-owners that their dogs must be kept on a short leash when in the same field as the sheep.

    There was a similar reaction from dog-walkers at St Catherines Hill hillfort (near Winchester) when a flock of sheep was introduced to graze the grassland on the nature reserve .
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Old Sarum 'attacked' by Anonymous on Tuesday, 12 April 2011
    I am writing to let everyone know English Heritage are not scrub clearing but felling mature yew, ash and beech. This is environmental vandalism!
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Old Sarum by Thorgrim on Saturday, 06 March 2004
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"Sarum" by Edward Rutherford is fantastic! The first part tells in fictional form the story of the first hunter gatherers to come to Sarum. It goes on to tell of the first builders of the barrows and Stonehenge itself. It really brings the times and the place alive. Continues up to the present day in a series of snapshots. One of my all time favourite historical novels.
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    Re: Old Sarum by nicoladidsbury on Thursday, 18 March 2004
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    Thanks for your comments on my photo of the stones and tree at Long Meg
    I read this book two years ago, and really enjoyed it too, my only gripe is that you don't really get to know the characters well enough. Have you tried Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwall. This is possibly one of my favorite historical novels.link to Bernard Conwall website
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      Re: Old Sarum by Thorgrim on Thursday, 18 March 2004
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      Yes, I have read Bernard Cornwell's Stonehenge (twice). I think that it is his best book by far. The time scale may be condensed somewhat, but It seems to me that it is very accurate and just seems that that is how it must have been. If you go into the Museum of Wiltshire at Devizes (which Cornwell mentions) you can see much that is relevant to the book including the ceremonial mace and copies of the golden lozenges.
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      Re: Old Sarum by Vicky on Friday, 19 March 2004
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      I've read it too and think it is fantastic - he's obviously done his research. As you say the time scale has been condensed but it really puts it into perspective.
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