Cemetery entrance to Belvedere and Newlands, Wood. Devizes, Wiltshire

Image: © James Harrison Taken: 14 Mar 2018

Newly laid paths and interpretation board at area of woodland owned by Society of Merchant Venturers and leased to Devizes Town Council. The board gives some history to the area: "The steep slopes in the woods are formed of soft greensand rock. Rain-water slowly makes it way through the rock before it gushes out as clear springs at the bottom of the valley, carving deep gullies into the hillside. The Greensand acts as a sponge, with the water squeezed out by the Gault clay that lies below. Belvedere Wood is named after the silk mill that lay in the meadow at the bottom of Dyehouse Lane. It was owned in 1848 by Frederick Walker and the stream turned the mill wheel. Devizes was famous for its silk and 'cassimere' weaving, and the stream in the valley provided the water needed for the dye-house that gave the lane its name. In 2018 Devizes Town Council took over the running of the woods and are actively involved in their maintenance and upkeep with help from the local community."

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