National Trust Notice at Watlington Hill

Image: © David Hillas Taken: 27 Aug 2018

This notice is located at the south-west edge of Watlington Hill by a bridleway. It has the following wording: CONSERVATION IN ACTION WALK BACK IN TIME In the Winter of 2006, work started opening up this ancient track way. This stretch of the feature, which is also known as a sunken way or hollow way is approximately 400m in length, and in its time would have been the modern equivalent of a main 'road'. Virtually the whole project has been achieved by volunteer effort. The Sonning Common Green Gym volunteers set themselves the mammoth task of clearing the archaeological features as part of the 'Oxford Inspires 2007' celebrations (which commemorated 1,000 years of the county of Oxfordshire's existence). With occasional assistance from other volunteer groups (Friends of Watlington Hill and Oxford Conservation Volunteers); the work has now been completed. There were three aims to the project:- 1. Open up the archaeological feature so that it could once again be used as a walkway. 2. By using the 'sunken' way as an alternative route, visitors will reduce the wear and tear on the existing path (now showing signs of erosion) which lies on the very high quality chalk grassland. 3. In cutting back many of the large, low branches from the Yew trees, we have regained a large strip of land between the existing path and the 'sunken' way. This area would have been flower rich chalk grassland 30-40 years ago before the dense shade of the Yews killed it off. In time, it should return to this condition, thus benefiting the many butterflies and wild flowers that can be found on this species rich habitat. So, please consider using this 'new' old track way as an alternative route and in doing so help to preserve the archaeological feature as well as the grassland habitat for years to come. With particular thanks to Sonning Common Gym for all their hard work and to all the volunteers who helped complete the task.

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