Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Jubilee Plantation on Wotton Hill was initially planted to celebrate Wellington's
victory against Napoleon at Waterloo, but in order to mark the end of the Crimean
War the trees were felled for a bonfire. The circular wall was erected and more trees
planted in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, and yet more planting
took place in 1952.
Bear left and soon you will notice the junction with Old London Road.
Just beyond this, cross the road and take the steep path climbing on the
right (there are handrails to assist). This path brings you to a narrow lane,
across which a set of steps and a kissing gate take you to the foot of a
steep meadow. Climb this meadowland slope to the
Jubilee Plantation
,
a clump of commemorative trees contained within a circular wall.
Continue to the top left-hand corner of the meadow where another kiss-
ing gate leads into a large field beside a woodland. Maintain direction
along the left-hand boundary of a large field, then curve left into Westridge
Wood. The track forks and meets several alternative paths, but marker
posts aid direction-finding. On the way through the wood you pass along
the right-hand edge of the somewhat overgrown hill fort site of Bracken-
bury Ditches.
Brackenbury Ditches
is the name given to another Iron Age hill fort,
now rather overgrown with trees. The outer defensive ditch has been cleared, but the site
has never been excavated - possibly because of the dense woodland cover within.
On emerging from the woods, follow the left-hand fence boundary of the
open meadowland of Nibley Knoll, and walk towards the towering
Tyndale
Monument
which dominates it. From the base of this rather solemn-look-
ing tower, as from the scarp edge by which you approach it, magnificent
views are to be enjoyed on a clear day. A topograph nearby highlights
noteworthy places to be seen. (It is possible to climb the tower, but the
key must first be obtained from a house in North Nibley below. The key's
location is given on a noticeboard at the foot of the track which leads down
to the village - although you'd have to be extremely keen to climb all the
way back to Nibley Knoll at the end of this stage!)
