There have been quite a few remote places that I have walked to on my own, with my hobby of geocaching, this has to be one of the loneliest places. I had left my car and walked across country about a mile, before entering this wood and finally climbing down this hill.
The cache itself was hidden in the roots of a tree just beside me on the right, with the cache name being, "Milestones Hen Wood". If you look carefully to the bank on the right you can see the milestone sticking up nice and straight, this might give you an idea of the history that has happened here.
A few hundred years ago this was the main track or route from Cirencester to the village of Bisley, where there was a lockup and courthouse. I shared a picture of the lockup some time ago with the courthouse next door in the Bear Inn pub. Horse and carriages or carts regularly used this route, not just for normal transport, but bringing prisoners to the court.
At the bottom of this hill was a ford over the river in the valley, but it was also a dangerous place for here waited highwaymen during 18th century for robbery or to free their friends from captivity. They knew how far they had to go to safety by this milestone, but I'm sure the horses also had to take it slowly up this hill.
This is another place I wouldn't go today on my own, even if my old age would let me. I've decided it's called Hen Wood, mainly because I would chicken out going there.
A lovely woodland scene - love the muted tones of soft greens and earthy browns , Such an uneven pathway - and not a place to fall and perhaps break your leg , all alone in this isolated place . Even in the olden days was not a very safe place to roam ! Nice to see an old fashioned mile stone . There were a few around home when I was a young girl ! I wonder are they still there ( I hope so !! ) Great knowledge and history of the area Heather ! fav
I don’t think I would probably walk there by myself.
Nice woodland.
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