Featured: Ark of Secrets - Neolithic spirit alive in the Middle Ages

Ark of Secrets - Neolithic spirit alive in the Middle Ages

Ancestral Geographies of the Neolithic, Edmonds, Bender

Ancestral Geographies of the Neolithic, Edmonds, Bender

Who's Online

There are currently, 329 guests and 2 members online.

You are a guest. To join in, please register for free by clicking here

Sponsors

<< Our Photo Pages >> Sweet Track - Ancient Trackway in England in Somerset

Submitted by Andy B on Thursday, 02 August 2007  Page Views: 54962

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Sweet Track
Country: England
NOTE: This site is 2.437 km away from the location you searched for.

County: Somerset Type: Ancient Trackway
Nearest Town: Street  Nearest Village: Westhay
Map Ref: ST424408  Landranger Map Number: 182
Latitude: 51.163533N  Longitude: 2.825129W
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
1 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
3 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.
4 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
4

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

AnnabelleStar visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

JimChampion have visited here

Peat Moors Centre - Sweet Track
Peat Moors Centre - Sweet Track submitted by Andy B : Another view of the reconstruction of the Sweet Track that was at the Peat Moors Visitor Centre. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Ancient Trackway in Somerset. The Sweet Track is a supreme, if not so obvious example of Neolithic engineering, 6000 years old. An elevated footpath that ran for almost 2km across the Somerset levels swamps.

Extensive tree ring studies have shown that ash, oak and lime trees were systematically cut, pre-fabricated and transported to the site, where they were built into a narrow footpath supported on crossed poles, driven into heavy poles underwater and pegged together. Finally the oak walking platform was laid on top of the V-shaped notch. All this indicates a high degree of organisation and forward planning.

Some repairs were carried out, but it is clear that the Sweet Track was only in use for around ten years, probably due to the rising water level engulfing it. This waterlogging is what enabled the track to survive until it was accidentally discovered by a peat worker (named Ray Sweet) in 1970. A section of the still-buried track within the Shapwick Heath nature reserve is protected against drying out by a water distribution system.

Sections of the actual Sweet Track are on display in the British Museum, London. The replica photographed above was on display at the Peat Moors Centre (now closed), although it got washed away in a flood previous to that. The original Sweet Track passed through what is now Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve and there are various signposted walks and information boards within the reserve. A new reconstruction has been recently built, see the Avalon Marshes Visitor Centre page for more details.
You may be viewing yesterday's version of this page. To see the most up to date information please register for a free account.


Peat Moors Centre - Sweet Track
Peat Moors Centre - Sweet Track submitted by Andy B : The reconstruction of the Sweet Track that was at the Peat Moors Visitor Centre. Strangely, this is my bestselling photo, having been published in several books and magazine articles over the years. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Sweet Track
Sweet Track submitted by JimChampion : The southern half of the course of the Sweet Track runs through Shapwick Heath NNR, which is open to the public - leaflets and maps are available from the English Nature office next to the Peat Moors Centre. This photo shows one of the interpretative boards (with braille) explaining what the track was, how it was discovered and how its remains are being protected today. A modern-day track runs alo... (Vote or comment on this photo)

Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.

Nearby Images from Geograph Britain and Ireland:
ST4240 : A modern take on the old tracks of Somerset by Neil Owen
by Neil Owen
©2024(licence)
ST4240 : Rhyne junction, Shapwick Heath by Richard Webb
by Richard Webb
©2018(licence)
ST4240 : Clearing, Shapwick Heath by Richard Webb
by Richard Webb
©2018(licence)
ST4240 : Path, Shapwick Heath by Richard Webb
by Richard Webb
©2018(licence)
ST4240 : The Sweet Track, Somerset Levels by Sheila Russell
by Sheila Russell
©2005(licence)

The above images may not be of the site on this page, they are loaded from Geograph.
Please Submit an Image of this site or go out and take one for us!


Click here to see more info for this site

Nearby sites

Click here to view sites on an interactive OS map

Key: Red: member's photo, Blue: 3rd party photo, Yellow: other image, Green: no photo - please go there and take one, Grey: site destroyed

Download sites to:
KML (Google Earth)
GPX (GPS waypoints)
CSV (Garmin/Navman)
CSV (Excel)

To unlock full downloads you need to sign up as a Contributory Member. Otherwise downloads are limited to 50 sites.

Megalithic Mysteries by Andy Burnham

English Heritage by Paul Linford et al


Turn off the page maps and other distractions

Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 538m NNE 21° Avalon Marshes Visitor Centre* Museum (ST426413)
 1.2km NNE 24° Peat Moors Centre* Museum (ST429419)
 1.8km NNW 343° Abbot's Way* Ancient Trackway (ST419425)
 2.7km ENE 60° Meare Lake Village Ancient Village or Settlement (ST4472642100)
 3.6km WSW 256° Holy Well (Edington)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (ST3888639970)
 5.3km W 270° Sulphur spring Holy Well or Sacred Spring (ST37124085)
 6.9km E 90° Glastonbury Lake Village* Ancient Village or Settlement (ST493407)
 7.7km ESE 103° Market Cross (Glastonbury) Ancient Cross (ST4987538924)
 7.7km ESE 104° Glastonbury Lake Village Museum* Museum (ST499389)
 7.8km ESE 104° St Joseph's Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (ST49993883)
 7.9km SSW 202° Greylake Mesolithic open-air cemetery Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (ST393335)
 8.0km ESE 105° Omphalos Stone (Glastonbury Abbey)* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (ST501387)
 8.3km NNW 328° Mark Village Cross* Ancient Cross (ST3804947838)
 8.6km ESE 105° Chalice Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (ST507385)
 8.6km ESE 105° White Spring (Somerset)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (ST5073238506)
 8.8km SW 224° Westonzoyland Cursus Cursus (ST36263450)
 9.1km ESE 103° Glastonbury Tor* Ancient Village or Settlement (ST51223861)
 9.5km N 350° Chapel Allerton Cross* Ancient Cross (ST4089050199)
 9.6km WSW 247° Chedzoy Cursus Cursus (ST33503721)
 10.5km SE 145° Dundon Hill* Hillfort (ST484322)
 10.6km SSE 165° High Ham Cursus Cursus (ST45013048)
 10.7km ENE 77° Harters Hill* Ancient Trackway (ST529430)
 10.8km SE 145° Dundon Beacon Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (ST485319)
 11.0km SE 133° New Ditch* Ancient Village or Settlement (ST504332)
 11.3km ESE 105° Ponter's Ball Dyke Ancient Village or Settlement (ST533377)
View more nearby sites and additional images

<< Deinste Huenengrab

Torquay Museum >>

Please add your thoughts on this site

Understanding the Neolithic

Understanding the Neolithic

Web Links for Sweet Track

Megalithic Mysteries by Andy Burnham

Archived Web links for Sweet Track

English Heritage by Paul Linford et al

Sponsors

Auto-Translation (Google)

Translate from English into:

"Sweet Track" | Login/Create an Account | 6 News and Comments
  
Go back to top of page    Comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
Neolithic Sweet Track recreated with 3D graphics by Andy B on Wednesday, 26 April 2017
(User Info | Send a Message)
A digital model of the Avalon Marshes area has been formed, allowing this journey along the 5,823 year old Neolithic Sweet Track to be recreated. Two versions are available, one with and one without subtitles. Both have commentary.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGk7FCo3h9E

With thanks to Richard B from South West Heritage Trust for the link
[ Reply to This ]

Ancient Trackways: History & wildlife walk, Tuesday 22nd July by Andy B on Thursday, 24 April 2014
(User Info | Send a Message)

Tuesday 22 July 11:00 - 13:00

Discover the fabulous natural history and archaeology of Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve with a guided walk along the line of the Neolithic Sweet Track. The walk will be led jointly by Simon Clarke, Natural England’s Senior Reserve Manager, and Dr Richard Brunning, Somerset County Council’s Senior Levels and Moors Heritage Officer. There will be an opportunity to step back thousands of years and walk on replica stretches of prehistoric wooden trackways in the magical wetlands of the reserve.

When and where:
Tuesday 22 July from 11.00am to about 1.00pm. Meet at the Lifelong Learning Centre, Avalon Marshes Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 9TT.

How to get involved & accesibility:
Booking is essential. There is a charge of £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for children under 16 and students. You will need to wear walking boots as the ground will be rough in places and it may be muddy. You will also need appropriate clothing and supplies for rain or sun. Bring binoculars if you have them as we will be walking through the nature reserve. Sorry but no dogs.

Refreshments:
Toilets and refreshments at the beginning and end of the walk at the Avalon Marshes Centre.

Booking and information:
Click here to book. Event organised jointly by Natural England and Somerset County Council Heritage Service. For further information please email info@avalonmarshes.org or phone 01458 860556.

Travel & parking:
By bike: A short way from National Cycle Route 3. By Public transport: Limited - buses serve Westhay and pass along the A39. By car: The Avalon Marshes Centre is signed off the A39 near Shapwick and off the B3151 at Westhay. Parking on site.

http://www.somersetwildlife.org/iqs/dbitemid.1127/elrange.1404169200-31/imonth.6/sfa.view/events.html
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Sweet Track (Peat Moors Visitor Centre) by Anonymous on Tuesday, 02 November 2010
It was found by Ray Sweet .
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Sweet Track (Peat Moors Visitor Centre) by Anonymous on Wednesday, 15 April 2009
why build a repilica
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Sweet Track (Peat Moors Visitor Centre) by Anonymous on Wednesday, 20 December 2006
I was just looking at your Sweet Track web page and thought you might like to update the details of our reconstruction of it!

Because of the nature of the trackway it is very much a seasonal and weather dependant construction, just as the original was. Consequently, it may well have been 'washed away' when your commenter visited the centre (or at least floating), but it is always rebuilt as soon as the waters subside. It would appear this was also the case with the genuine trackway and while we try to artificially regulate the amount of water present, it is not always possible - the pump is currently under water, for instance!

We regard the Sweet Track to be both of national and international significance, so we take pride in displaying it as much and as often as practicable.

With all best wishes,

Eddie Wills,
Warden, Peat Moors Centre
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Sweet Track (Peat Moors Visitor Centre) by Anonymous on Saturday, 01 June 2002
Sadly the sweet track reconstruction at the peat moors centre was washed away in last years' flood.

There is a nice reconstruction on the site, made by my group, in as close to authentic neolithic as we could. No metal tools just stone axes!!

SteveP
[ Reply to This ]

Your Name: Anonymous [ Register Now ]
Subject:


Add your comment or contribution to this page. Spam or offensive posts are deleted immediately, don't even bother

<<< What is five plus one as a number? (Please type the answer to this question in the little box on the left)
You can also embed videos and other things. For Youtube please copy and paste the 'embed code'.
For Google Street View please include Street View in the text.
Create a web link like this: <a href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk">This is a link</a>  

Allowed HTML is:
<p> <b> <i> <a> <img> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <tt> <li> <ol> <ul> <object> <param> <embed> <iframe>

We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.