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Wittenham Camp in 1939; aerial photograph by Major George Allen (1891–1940)
Round Hill from the south at Wittenham Clumps

Wittenham Clumps are a pair of wooded chalk hills in the Thames Valley, in the civil parish of Little Wittenham, in the historic county of Berkshire, although since 1974 administered as part of South Oxfordshire district.

The higher of the two, Round Hill, is 390 feet (120 m) above sea-level. The 350-foot (110 m) Castle Hill is about 380 yards (350 m) south-east and was the site of an Iron Age hill fort.[1] A third hill, not normally considered one of The Clumps, is Brightwell Barrow, further to the south-east.

The grassed slopes of The Clumps lead up to summits wooded by the oldest beech tree plantings in England,[2] dating to the 1740s.[3] Standing over 70 metres above their surroundings,[4] the Clumps have a prominent appearance and panoramic views, with the north slopes overlooking villages and towns whose sites mark some of the first settlements of the English.[5] The view from The Clumps was described by the artist Paul Nash, who first saw them in 1911, as "a beautiful legendary country haunted by old gods long forgotten".[6]

The Clumps are the most visited outdoor site in the administrative county of Oxfordshire, attracting over 200,000 visitors a year.[7] A car park was added in 1971, and the extensive network of paths are accessible by foot all year round. A path through the wooded area at the top of Round Hill has enabled access since 2005, after being closed for twenty years. The site and its surroundings are maintained as a Nature Reserve by the Earth Trust.[8]

Toponymy

[edit]
View from Round Hill with Day's Lock and the River Thames curving along the tree line to the left
Didcot Power Station viewed from Wittenham Clumps

Strictly speaking, the name Wittenham Clumps refers to the wooded summits of these hills, which are themselves more properly referred to as the Sinodun Hills, the name Sinodun deriving from Celtic, Seno-Dunum, meaning 'Old Fort'.[9] Alternatively, it has been suggested that the name is a scholarly creation, punning on the Latin 'sinus' (bosom).[10] Other lesser-used and more colloquial names for the Clumps include the Berkshire Bubs (since the Clumps are in the historic county of Berkshire, though this area was transferred to Oxfordshire administratively in 1974) and Mother Dunch's Buttocks (after a local Lady of the Manor named Dunch).

On Sinodun Hill is a hollow named the Money-Pit and a clump of trees named the Cuckoo Pen. The Money-Pit is supposedly the location of a treasure hoard guarded by a raven, and the Cuckoo Pen gets its name from the local belief that a trapped cuckoo would ensure eternal Summer.[11]

Location

[edit]
Wittenham Clumps LIDAR topography

Wittenham Clumps are located at grid reference SU569925, close to the River Thames, and good views can be had from the Thames Path along the river. The panoramic views of the Berkshire and Oxfordshire countryside from the Clumps themselves are also spectacular; a viewpoint guide on the north side of Round Hill gives directions to many sights, the furthest being Faringdon Folly, a tower built on another Iron Age hillfort 27 kilometres (17 mi) to the west. Day's Lock and Dorchester Abbey are clearly visible in the valley to the north, with the 15-storey Plowman Tower in Northway, Oxford visible on the horizon, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) away. The white-walled reactor buildings of the Joint European Torus, site of the world's first successful controlled nuclear fusion experiments, can be seen around 6 km to the north-west. To the west, there is the town of Didcot, with some of the chimneys of the gas-fired Didcot B Power Station visible. Formerly, the 110-metre-tall (360 ft) cooling towers of Didcot A Power Station, constructed in the late 1960s, dominated the skyline around Didcot; they were demolished in phases from 2014 to 2020. To the north-east is Little Wittenham Wood, which borders the Thames, and to the south-east is Brightwell Barrow.

The wooded area at the top of Castle Hill, which contains a public footpath, was closed indefinitely due to the danger of falling trees, but has since reopened with a warning sign. The entrance to the wooded area atop Round Hill also carries a warning of falling branches due to fungal decay of many of its trees.

Archaeology

[edit]

There is a hillfort on Castle Hill. The earliest earthworks date to the late Bronze Age. More banks and ditches were added during the early Iron Age. Excavation has revealed that the Iron Age inhabitants caught fish and wild boar as well as herding cattle and sheep. There is also evidence of barley and wheat cultivation. The fort appears to have been abandoned by the late Iron Age, the next occupants being Romans. A 2004 episode of the Channel 4 archaeological television programme Time Team focused on the Clumps.[12] In 2004, Castle Hill was under excavation by Oxford Archaeology, and Time Team was charged with investigating the surrounding landscape to find any trace of activity that could be associated with the Clumps.

Over a period of three days, Time Team surveyed a total of seven hectares using ground-penetrating radar. The original focus was the previously unexplored Round Hill, but difficulties in carrying out geophysical studies on its tree-covered crest forced the team to abandon their original goal. Moving down the southern slopes, however, many hidden features emerged, including enclosure ditches, pits, possible buildings, and other clusters of anomalies. The geophysics highlighted a large rectilinear enclosure, which was subsequently singled out for excavation. This revealed the remains of a Romano-British house with tesserae (mosaic) floors and painted wall plaster on the southern slope of Round Hill. The area also contained an Iron-Age cobbled floor, together with post holes that could have related to a structure.

Further investigations found Iron Age rubbish pits distributed all over the valley, suggesting widespread settlement throughout the period. Pottery finds indicated that most activity took place in the earlier and later phases of the period, with a quieter occupation phase in the middle. The geophysics surveys also uncovered more suspected Iron Age enclosures along with what appeared to be a Roman road, which would have been associated with the site.

The Poem Tree, Castle Hill.

The overall chronology suggested by the excavations is of the site being occupied since the Bronze Age around 1000 BC, the hillfort and surrounding farms dating from around 600 BC, followed by a move down towards the southern part of the site around 300 BC. The area was then abandoned, until the construction of the Roman villa.

Among the many artefacts found in the area are an oval bronze shield around 35 cm in diameter, retrieved from the nearby river Isis in 1836[13] and the 70 cm long Wittenham Sword and scabbard, found in 1982 and dating from the Late Iron Age (120 BC - AD 43)[14][15]

In February 2021, archaeologists headed by Chris Casswell from DigVentures announced the discovery of at least 15 roundhouses dating from 400 to 100 BC. and remains of a Roman villa dating from 3rd to early 4th century CE. According to excavators, members of a noble family would have lived in this Roman villa. Researchers have also revealed some Roman kitchen utensils and an Iron Age "fridge" or pantry-ceramic food storage containers to keep food cool and safe in a pit dug into the ground.[16][17][18]

In January 2024, archaeologists from DigVentures found an iron age workshop dating from between 770 and 515 BC. The workshop was found downslope from the hillfort.[19]

Poetry and art

[edit]
Main article: The Poem Tree

The eastern side of Castle Hill is the location of the Victorian 'Poem Tree',[20] a beech tree which had a poem carved into it by Joseph Tubb of Warborough Green in 1844–45.[21] The tree, which died in the 1990s, collapsed in 2012; there is now a stone commemorating the 150th anniversary of the carving.

Wittenham Clumps is said to be where Matthew Prior wrote Henry and Emma,[22] and this is commemorated by a plaque. Wittenham Clumps were repeatedly painted by the 20th-century British artist Paul Nash.[23][24][25][26][27]

In 2007, Radiohead filmed a music video for the song, Faust Arp on The Wittenham Clumps. The finale to the Black Mirror episode, Shut Up and Dance, was filmed in the same spot, with Radiohead's song Exit Music (For a Film) featured.

In 2021, Robin Alexander Lucas published a new poem about The Wittenham Clumps, the Money Pit and the Raven that is said to guard it, entitled The Money Pit – or – The Sinodun Hoard. It was printed on the reverse side of a decorative map of The Wittenham Clumps, published by Cittern Press, (ISBN 978-1-8384385-9-3, Cittern Press, 2021). The poem is included on the front of the second edition of Lucas’s map, published in 2024, (ISBN 978-1-8384385-8-6, Cittern Press, 2024). [28]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wittenham Clumps

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Wittenham Clumps are a pair of prominent hills, known as Round Hill and Castle Hill, situated in Little Wittenham, , , forming part of the Sinodun Hills beside the River Thames. These hills, covered in ancient woodlands and grasslands, offer panoramic views across the surrounding countryside, including the and the Didcot Power Station cooling towers. Managed by the Earth Trust since 1984, the site spans approximately 500 hectares of freely accessible green space and is one of the most visited natural landmarks in the region. The Clumps hold significant archaeological value, with evidence of human activity dating back to the around 2400 BCE, including a U-shaped ditch and bank enclosure for protection. Castle Hill features hillfort ramparts, designated as a Scheduled , while excavations between 2018 and 2020 uncovered a 2,700-year-old blacksmith's workshop, described as exceptionally rare, with ongoing excavations in 2025 revealing further details about and Roman settlements, and the 2024 announcement of this rare early blacksmith workshop. Roman-era finds from the site include pottery, glass, kitchen utensils, and the remains of a tiny , indicating family life and early ownership in Britain around 1,800 years ago. Historically, the hills were planted with beech trees in the 1740s, making them the oldest known planted hilltop beeches in , though some are now being replaced with more climate-resilient and lime due to environmental changes. Ecologically, Wittenham Clumps is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its species-rich chalk grasslands and wildflower meadows, maintained through haycutting and grazing to support diverse wildlife, including frequent sightings of red kites. The beech copses provide habitat for birds and insects, while the surrounding woodlands enhance biodiversity in the area. Culturally, the site has inspired artists like Paul Nash, whose paintings captured its mystical landscape, and features the Poem Tree, a hawthorn trunk carved with verses by Joseph Tubb in the 19th century. Open year-round and free to the public, the Clumps serve as a vital recreational and educational resource, with ongoing conservation efforts by the Earth Trust to preserve its heritage and natural beauty; in July 2025, the Earth Trust announced plans to expand visitor facilities with a new café and play area.

Geography and Geology

Location and Topography

Wittenham Clumps, also known as the Sinodun Hills, are located at grid reference SU569925 in the civil parish of Little Wittenham, within the South Oxfordshire district of Oxfordshire, England, though the area lies in the historic county of Berkshire. The site consists of a pair of prominent chalk hills situated on the south bank of the River Thames, approximately 1 km north of Little Wittenham village and close to the confluence with the River Thame. The two hills, Round Hill and Castle Hill, rise prominently from the surrounding Thames Valley floodplain, with Round Hill reaching an elevation of 120 m (390 ft) above and Castle Hill at 107 m (351 ft). This elevates them over 70 m above the low-lying river valley, creating a distinctive skyline feature in an otherwise flat landscape of alluvial meadows and wetlands. The summits are crowned by ancient woodlands, originally planted in the 1740s, while the slopes are characterized by supporting diverse plant life. From the hilltops, panoramic views extend across the , encompassing the river's meanders, Day's Lock and its associated system just to the southeast, and the historic approximately 2 km east. Further afield, vistas include the cooling towers of the Didcot B Power Station to the northwest and the facilities of the (JET) at Culham, about 6 km northwest. The proximity to the Thames, with its lock and infrastructure, underscores the site's integration into the broader riverine environment.

Geological Formation

Wittenham Clumps, also known as the Sinodun Hills, consist of chalk hills primarily formed from Lower Chalk bedrock of Upper age, deposited between 65 and 145 million years ago in warm, shallow seas dominated by microscopic marine called coccolithophores. These deposits are underlain by Upper , with the summits capped by a thin veneer of glacial sands and gravels from Pleistocene river terraces. As outliers of the broader chalk ridge—specifically a branch of the —these hills represent resistant remnants of the Cretaceous sequence amid softer surrounding strata. The formation of Wittenham Clumps involved tectonic uplift during the Tertiary period, approximately 40 to 60 million years ago, driven by compressional forces from the collision of the African and Eurasian plates during the Alpine orogeny. This uplift raised the regional chalk dome, part of the larger structural framework linked to the Wealden Anticline, exposing the strata to prolonged erosion by wind, rain, and fluvial action over millions of years. Differential erosion preferentially removed the overlying softer sediments and the encasing clays of the London Basin, isolating the more resistant chalk and greensand hills above the impermeable Gault Clay and Reading Beds of the Thames Valley floodplain. Rising approximately 70 meters above the surrounding Thames —with peaks reaching about 120 meters above —the Clumps' slopes support grassland due to the thin, stony soil cover resulting from limited of the soft . The porous nature of the allows rapid infiltration of rainwater, leading to dry conditions on the slopes and contributing to the formation of nearby dry valleys, while springs emerge at the contact with underlying impermeable layers, enhancing the site's hydrological contrast and visual prominence in the flat valley landscape.

History and Archaeology

Prehistoric Settlements

Wittenham Clumps provides significant evidence of prehistoric human activity dating back to the Early around 2400 BCE, including roundhouses indicated by postholes and a burial mound or southeast of the dated 2500–1500 BC. In the Late around 1000 BC, an initial circular enclosure was constructed on Castle Hill, suggesting early settlement and . This enclosure, approximately 100 meters in diameter, featured a about 4 meters wide and 2 meters deep, with multiple entrances, indicating organized community activity possibly related to farming and practices. Artifacts from this period, including sherds and tools like a broken needle and toggle, point to domestic life involving , with crops such as and , and including and sheep. By the Early , around 700 BC, the site evolved into a more substantial on Castle Hill, enclosing roughly 4 hectares with ramparts and a larger up to 16 meters wide and 8 meters deep, enhanced by inner and . This fortification, built using soil, chalk, turf, and timber, likely served defensive purposes while supporting a community engaged in crafting, , and , as evidenced by settlement debris and animal remains from feasting. The 's irregular bell-shaped layout, with eastern and western entrances, reflects strategic use of the hill's topography for protection and oversight of the surrounding . Excavations from to 2006, including geophysical surveys and trenches, confirmed Middle occupation layers with pits containing rubbish, underscoring ongoing habitation and ceremonial activities until around 100 BC. Key modern investigations have illuminated the extent of Iron Age settlements. In 2004, collaborative excavations by Oxford Archaeology and related projects revealed dense Iron Age occupation, including pits and structures indicative of a settled community from 400 to . Further work in 2021 by DigVentures uncovered remains of at least 15 roundhouses, varying from 8 to 15 meters in diameter, alongside storage features and enclosure ditches, highlighting a substantial domestic settlement supporting daily and possibly elite activities. Most recently, in 2024, DigVentures excavations downslope from the exposed a rare workshop dating to 771–515 BC, containing debris such as and tools, suggesting specialized blacksmithing shortly after iron technology's introduction to Britain. Notable prehistoric artifacts associated with the area include the Wittenham Shield, an oval Late bronze shield about 35 cm in diameter, recovered from the nearby (Isis) in 1836, which exemplifies regional metalworking craftsmanship from c. 1200–700 BC. Additionally, the Wittenham Sword, a Late iron sword (120 BC–AD 43) within a decorated bronze of the Hunsbury type, was dredged from the river in 1982 near the hillfort, providing insight into warrior culture and trade networks in the late prehistoric period. These finds, now housed in institutions like the , underscore the site's role in broader and .

Roman and Later Periods

Archaeological investigations have revealed evidence of Roman occupation at Wittenham Clumps, centered on a or farmstead situated on the lower southern slopes of Round Hill during the 3rd to CE. Ongoing excavations, beginning with work in 2004 by Wessex Archaeology and continuing through 2024 by DigVentures, have exposed a ditched containing a substantial flint-built aisled hall-style structure approximately 30 meters long and 15 meters wide, likely featuring a tessellated , , and an eastern entrance, along with associated occupation layers up to 0.5 meters thick. The site's Roman artifacts include 486 sherds of , encompassing coarse greywares, fine color-coated wares, samian, and Black Burnished ware, spanning the full Roman period; seven coins dating from the late 3rd to CE (AD 270–378); and over 1,455 pieces of ceramic building material such as tegulae, imbrices, and roof tiles, alongside tesserae, mortar, wall plaster, glass, kitchen utensils, and animal bones from and sheep/. Recent discoveries also include the remains of a tiny , indicating family life and early pet ownership in Britain around 1,800 years ago. These findings indicate a developed agricultural settlement with high-status elements, redeveloped in the mid-3rd century. Post-Roman and medieval activity at Wittenham Clumps shows limited archaeological evidence, though the area was employed for , as evidenced by 19th-century tithe maps denoting field names like "Maim and Furlong" suggestive of cereal cultivation under . Woodland management practices emerged in the when the Dunch family, owners of the local estate, planted trees on the hill summits in the , forming the characteristic wooded clumps that remain today. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the site transitioned toward public access and conservation, with a car park constructed in 1971 to accommodate growing visitor numbers and an extensive network of paths developed for . The Trust acquired Wittenham Clumps and surrounding lands in 1984, designating the area as a to preserve its historical and ecological value.

Ecology and Conservation

Flora and Fauna

Wittenham Clumps hosts a rich influenced by its chalk-based habitats, including ancient woodlands, grasslands, and meadows. The hill summits are dominated by woodlands planted in the 1740s, now approximately 280 years in age and recognized as the oldest known planted hilltop beeches in . These woodlands cover the hilltops, providing shaded understories that support specialized plant communities. To address the vulnerability of these aging beeches to climate-induced stressors like summer droughts, recent plantings of and lime trees have been introduced to promote woodland diversity. Adjacent Little Wittenham Wood extends these wooded habitats, offering contiguous areas for shade-tolerant species and contributing to overall ecological connectivity. Little Wittenham is designated as a (SSSI) for its grasslands and a (SAC) primarily for its great crested population. The slopes and surrounding areas feature calcareous grasslands, a habitat type enabled by the site's underlying chalk geology, which fosters a high diversity of wildflowers and grasses. Representative species include squinancywort and tor-grass, characteristic of ancient chalk grasslands in the region, alongside other typical calcareous flora such as yellow-wort and horseshoe vetch that enhance floral richness. These grasslands transition into wildflower meadows, where seasonal blooms peak in spring, creating vibrant displays that attract pollinators and support invertebrate populations. Invertebrates are abundant, with bees and butterflies foraging actively in summer meadows, while dragonflies and damselflies inhabit damper edges and ponds. Avian life is prominent, with red kites frequently soaring overhead and spring migrants arriving to fill the woodlands and grasslands with song, contributing to a dynamic during breeding seasons. Small mammals, including those adapted to open grasslands, find refuge in the tussocky , and deer are commonly observed browsing in the area. The site also sustains a significant population of great crested newts in its ponds and wet features, a of high conservation priority that underscores the area's importance for diversity. Overall, these habitats collectively harbor a mosaic of , though the beech woodlands face ongoing threats from , potentially altering canopy structure and composition in the coming decades.

Management and Protection

The Earth Trust has managed Wittenham Clumps since acquiring the site in 1984, overseeing approximately 1,200 acres that encompass the clumps and surrounding farmland, woodland, and wetlands. Designated as Little Wittenham Nature Reserve, the area serves as a key conservation site and draws over 200,000 visitors annually, establishing it as one of Oxfordshire's most frequented free-access natural green spaces. This management integrates the reserve with broader Earth Trust initiatives, including research plantations like the Broad Arboretum and wetland restoration projects along the . Conservation practices focus on sustaining diverse habitats through targeted interventions. Grasslands and wildflower meadows are maintained via annual haycutting, which removes nutrient-rich cuttings to prevent soil enrichment, combined with cattle grazing that controls scrub encroachment and creates varied microhabitats for invertebrates and wildflowers. In response to the vulnerability of the site's ancient beech woodlands—many approximately 280 years old—to climate change and drought, the Earth Trust has planted resilient native species such as hornbeam and lime since 2007 to ensure long-term woodland stability. Volunteer programs are integral to these efforts, with Earth Trust's land management teams engaging community members in habitat maintenance tasks, including scrub control and biodiversity enhancement, requiring no prior experience as training is provided. Protection measures encompass monitoring and removal of invasive species to safeguard native flora, alongside regular site upkeep to mitigate visitor impacts. These activities are coordinated to align with the site's designations, including the SSSI and SAC status of Little Wittenham Wood. Key challenges include balancing substantial public access with habitat integrity, as high footfall can compact soils and disturb wildlife, while the progressive decline of beech trees demands adaptive strategies amid ongoing climate pressures. The Earth Trust addresses these through sustainable land-use policies and community involvement to preserve the site's ecological value for future generations.

Cultural Significance

Toponymy and Folklore

The name of the Sinodun Hills, under which Wittenham Clumps were historically known, derives from the Celtic term "Sino-Dunum," translating to "old fort," a reference to the ancient hillfort visible on Castle Hill. This etymology reflects the site's prehistoric defensive structures and has persisted in historical records since at least , when the hills were documented under variations of "Sinodun" in local charters and surveys. By the , colloquial names emerged, including "Berkshire Bubs" and "Mother Dunch’s ," the latter linked to about a local landowner, Ann Dunch, whose estate bordered the hills and whose physical likeness was humorously evoked in the landscape's rounded contours. These playful monikers highlight the area's integration into regional oral traditions before the boundary shift from to in 1974. The modern designation "Wittenham Clumps" evolved in the late , emphasizing the distinctive planted woodlands crowning Round Hill and Castle Hill, which were among England's earliest documented hilltop tree clumps, dating to around 1740. Folklore surrounding Wittenham Clumps enriches its cultural tapestry, with legends centered on guardianship and eternal renewal. On Round Hill, the Money-Pit—a deep hollow—is said to conceal a of cursed and protected by a spectral , deterring seekers with ill fortune. Nearby, the Cuckoo Pen, a cluster of trees, features in a where capturing a within its branches would trap summer indefinitely, ensuring perpetual warmth and abundance. These tales intertwine with broader perceptions of the earthworks as haunted by long-forgotten ancient gods, evoking a lingering spiritual aura tied to the site's and heritage, as poet Paul Nash described the hills as "haunted by old gods long forgotten."

Art, Literature, and Media

A direct literary inscription emerged in the through the Poem Tree, a hawthorn on Hill where Tubb carved a 20-line verse between and 1845. Tubb's poem reflected on the landscape's timeless beauty and human transience, becoming a local landmark etched into the bark: "Ye aged oaks in solemn grandeur stand / And point to heaven as if in praise to ." The , estimated at 300 years old, died in the 1990s due to rot and fell in 2012 during a , but its legacy endures via a commemorative stone erected in 1994 to mark the carving's 150th anniversary. In visual art, Wittenham Clumps profoundly influenced British modernist Paul Nash, who first encountered the twin hills in 1911 and depicted them in numerous paintings from the 1910s through the 1940s. Nash portrayed the beeches atop the earthworks as mystical, otherworldly forms, infusing the landscapes with surreal and symbolic elements that evoked ancient myths and personal introspection—such as in Wittenham Clumps (c. 1943–44), where ethereal light and geometric shapes transform the hills into a visionary realm. Over his career, Nash returned to the site repeatedly, producing works that captured its "compelling magic" and integrated it into his exploration of English Romanticism and . The Nash Clumps Project, launched to celebrate the centenary of Nash's initial visits, documents and exhibits his oeuvre connected to the site, underscoring its enduring heritage value in British art. This initiative highlights how the Clumps' distinctive topography—visible from afar against the —served as a recurring motif, symbolizing continuity amid Nash's wartime experiences and later reflections on mortality. As of 2023, the project includes ongoing digital archives and public exhibitions. In contemporary media, Wittenham Clumps has appeared as a dramatic backdrop in music and television. filmed a performance of "Faust Arp" from their 2007 album atop the hills, with and singing amid the windswept beeches for the "Scotch Mist" webcast, evoking the site's isolated, haunting atmosphere. Similarly, the 2016 Black Mirror episode "Shut Up and Dance" (Season 3, Episode 3) used the Clumps for its tense hilltop confrontation scene, leveraging the landscape's stark contours to heighten the narrative's dystopian tension.

Recreation and Access

Walking Trails

Wittenham Clumps features a network of designated walking trails that allow visitors to explore its twin hills, Round Hill and Castle Hill, while integrating historical and natural elements. The primary route is a figure-of-eight loop that circumnavigates both summits, providing gradual ascents to elevated viewpoints overlooking the and surrounding countryside. This well-maintained path, approximately 1.25 miles long, typically takes 40 to 60 minutes to complete at a leisurely pace and is suitable for most walkers, though it includes some steep sections with steps and uneven chalky or grassy terrain. The trail is waymarked with clear signage, metal gates, and defined footpaths that weave through ancient beech woods and open grasslands, passing directly by the ramparts of Castle Hill, a scheduled , and extending toward the renowned Poem Tree in adjacent Little Wittenham Wood. Seasonal attractions enhance the experience, particularly in spring when paths are lined with wildflowers like cowslips, buttercups, and snake’s head fritillaries. Walkers may briefly encounter wildlife such as red kites overhead, though detailed observations are best noted elsewhere. Extensions from the main loop provide further exploration options, including connections to Little Wittenham Wood for woodland strolls and links to the national trail via a nearby footbridge. A longer circular route begins in Dorchester-on-Thames, encompassing the clumps and featuring a steep climb with 554 feet of elevation gain; this 4.5-mile path takes about 2 to 2.5 hours and offers broader views while retracing some sections for return. Access to these trails is facilitated by parking at Sires Hill car park near the hills.

Visitor Facilities

Wittenham Clumps offers free entry year-round and is accessible at all times, providing visitors with unrestricted opportunities to explore the site managed by the Earth Trust. A dedicated free car park, postcode OX10 8NB, facilitates easy access and was added in 1971 to accommodate growing numbers of visitors. Amenities at the site are basic to preserve its natural character, with no on-site toilets available; the nearest facilities are located at the Earth Trust Centre, open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Picnic areas are provided throughout the reserve, encouraging visitors to enjoy meals amid the scenic landscape while taking their litter home, as no bins are present. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads in areas grazed by cattle to ensure safety for livestock, wildlife, and other visitors. Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated paths to safeguard the site's archaeological features and sensitive habitats, contributing to the protection of this cherished greenspace that attracts over 200,000 people annually. The Earth Trust organizes events such as guided walks, offering educational insights into the area's history and —details can be found on their website. The terrain features moderate hikes with some steep sections, suitable for most fitness levels but requiring sturdy footwear and caution on uneven ground. Panoramic views of the are best on clear days, as weather can significantly affect visibility from the hilltops. For accessibility inquiries, including options for those with mobility needs, visitors should contact the Earth Trust directly. From the car park, several walking trails branch out, allowing exploration of the clumps and surrounding woods while observing diverse flora and fauna.

References

  1. https://earthtrust.org.uk/visit/wittenham-clumps/
  2. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/wittenham-clumps/
  3. https://earthtrust.org.uk/about/our-story/
  4. https://earthtrust.org.uk/history/
  5. https://earthtrust.org.uk/what_we_do/dig-ventures-archeology/
  6. https://earthtrust.org.uk/ancient-smithy-unearthed/
  7. https://digventures.com/projects/earth-trust/
  8. https://earthtrust.org.uk/unearthing-the-past-remarkable-roman-discoveries-beneath-the-wittenham-clumps/
  9. https://www.northwessexdowns.org.uk/visit_explore/wittenham-clumps-10/
  10. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dg8nnnxgeo
  11. https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/EAW046258
  12. https://wikishire.co.uk/wiki/Wittenham_Clumps
  13. https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/sites/default/files/52568_Wittenham.pdf
  14. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/oxfordshire/river-thames-day-s-lock-and-wittenham-clumps-circular
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  16. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/oxfordshire/dorchester-on-thames-and-wittenham-clumps-circular
  17. https://www.northwessexdowns.org.uk/route/wittenham-clumps-from-dorchester-on-thames/
  18. http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/08/Long-Wittenham-NP-Appendix-1-Evidence-Base.pdf
  19. https://www.discoveringbritain.org/content/discoveringbritain/trail%20booklets/Wittenham%20Clumps%20trail.pdf
  20. https://www.oxoniensia.org/volumes/1945/arkell.pdf
  21. https://webapps.bgs.ac.uk/memoirs/docs/B06880.html
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  23. https://omega7geo.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/case-study-chalk-in-the-south-downs-clay/
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  25. https://www.oxoniensia.org/volumes/1948/rhodes.pdf
  26. https://eprints.oxfordarchaeology.com/4906/7/6_Chapter_1.pdf
  27. https://digventures.com/2021/02/dig-reveals-iron-age-home-of-people-who-built-and-used-iconic-oxfordshire-hillfort/
  28. https://digventures.com/2024/02/oxfordshire-dig-reveals-2700-year-old-secrets-of-britains-early-master-blacksmiths/
  29. https://earthtrust.org.uk/the-story-of-the-wittenham-clumps/
  30. https://britisharchaeology.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/highlights/wittenham-shield.html
  31. https://britisharchaeology.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/highlights/wittenham-sword.html
  32. https://www.berkshirehistory.gowerweb.co.uk/archaeology/wittenham_sword.html
  33. https://earthtrust.org.uk/bringing-back-lost-landscapes-volunteers-sow-the-seeds-of-nature-recovery-at-wittenham-clumps/
  34. https://earthtrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FC-Approved-Earth-Trust-Woodland-Management-Plan.pdf
  35. https://www.darkoxfordshire.co.uk/explore/hidden-treasure-and-ravens-at-wittenham-clumps/
  36. https://www.berkshirehistory.com/villages/littlewittenham.html
  37. https://geographical.co.uk/culture/the-twin-peaks-of-the-berkshire-downs
  38. https://projects.digventures.com/earth-trust/background/wittenham-clumps/
  39. https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/wittenham-clumps-ancient-earthworks-haunted-gods-long-forgotten-006755
  40. https://britishfolklore.com/little-wittenham/
  41. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9855964.sadness-clumps-poem-tree-falls/
  42. https://www.nashclumps.org/
  43. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jan/06/features.review
  44. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/19070016.television-shows-filmed-oxfordshire/
  45. https://www.discoveringbritain.org/activities/south-east-england/trails/wittenham-trail.html
  46. https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/attraction/wittenham-clumps/
  47. https://hengefestival.com/the-site/
  48. https://earthtrust.org.uk/visit-us/visitor-information/
  49. https://earthtrust.org.uk/visit-us/dogs-at-earth-trust/
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