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Click on thumbnail to view full size picture of Woolley LANSDOWN to WOOLLEY
Near the start is the site of the 1643 civil war battle fought at Lansdown. A huge Royalist army attacked a much smaller force of Roundheads entrenched at the top of the hill. Although the Royalists won the day they suffered tremendous losses from which they never recovered. There are excellent descriptive plaques that bring the area to life. Particularly poignant is the story of two opposing commanders who had been close friends in childhood. Close by is the memorial to Sir Bevill Grenville who was mortally wounded in the fight. The text on the monument is badly decayed but I remember reading it 20 years ago thinking it was so flattering he must have written it himself! (GPS length 7.37 miles). Pub at halfway point. How to get there: Park in the layby where it is signposted Sir Bevill Grenville Monument. From Bath take the A4 to Chippenham. After .3 mile turn left to Lansdown at ST 7488 6517. After .6 miles fork left to Lansdown at ST 7470 6607. Continue up steep hill & pass race course on left. Look for layby on right soon after. From the A420 Bristol to Chippenham road turn south on a road 0.8 miles east of the A46/ A420 cross roads at ST 7319 7270. Go down and then up a steep hill to "T" junction at ST 7228 7057. Turn left uphill to layby on left at top of the hill
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