LONGSHANKS & Talesman - Walks

Guided walks that bring you the landscape's Fact & Fantasy, Story & History, presented by an Archaeologist and a Storyteller with Theatricality & Informality. Covering 8 millennia!

You will be taken on a gentle rural stroll to fascinating historical sites with frequent stops for interpretation of archaeological remains, short informative sketches, relevant stories and occasional poems. You will be frequently physically involved, handling real archaeological finds or replicas, and becoming part of the reconstructions of the past yourselves (though nothing embarrasing), such as standing on the sites of post holes to create an iron age roundhouse. All walks end with the 3 Minute History of England.

These are not route marches. The lengths of walks vary between 2 to 5 miles. There are plenty of stops along the way, and plenty of chance to chat with friends, make new friends or ask L&T questions.

GUARANTEE. We will be there, on the day, whatever the weather. If it is too bad to do the walk safely, then we will endeavour to give a 'live-radio' version in the nearest public house. The show will go on even if the walk doesn't.

• Bring a packed lunch, which you can enjoy at one of the many stops along with the way.
• Most of the walks can involve a stop at a Pub for liquid refreshment and use of loos.
• Although appealing to all ages L&T events are not designed specifically for children and we can not accept unsupervised minors.
• Usual suggested meeting time is at 10:50am for an 11:00am start.
• Timings of walks are approximate, depending on speed of walkers, speed of picnics, pub stops and size of group (larger are slower due to the concertina effect).
• All the above applies unless otherwise stated below.

Many of our walks are along the Thames Path, the Ridgeway or the Cotswold Way National Trails.

Choose from any of the 23 walks below! In three regions:-

• South Coast (Dorset & Hampshire)
• Severn Valley (Gloucestershire, Herefordshire & Somerset)
• Thames Valley and Ridgeway (Berkshire, Oxfordshire & Wiltshire)

A Medieval Mystery

(3.5 miles / 4 hrs.) On the Thames Path National Trail.
L&T bring you a walk with two medieval "whodunnits" to solve; one a story the other archaeology. A short, flat circular walk along the Thames; taking you through a deserted Medieval village, two encounters with a famous poet, a 13th century church with rare wall paintings, a disused canal link, and "Old Father Thames". We end by taking our ease at the Thames side Trout Inn.
Meet L&T in the Trout Inn car park. On the A417 half a mile east of Lechlade.
Grid Ref: SU 223 992 (Landranger Map 163)

Barbury: Battles, Banks & Burials

(3.5 miles / 3.5 hrs) On the Ridgeway National Trail.
Not just a hillfort but an entire ancient landscape, with field systems and a Bronze Age barrow cemetery. The battle fought here between the Saxons and the Native Britons will be reported in Anglo-Saxon Chronicle "News" style. We will consider the evidence for the age of the Ridgeway and reconstruct a Roundhouse. Enjoy ancient stories as you feast on your sandwiches (there is no pub anywhere near this one).
Meet L&T in the Barbury Country Park car park, signed off the B4005.
Grid Ref: SU 157 761 (Landranger Map 173)

Cricklade: Saxon Frontier Town

(4.5 miles / 5 hrs) On the Thames Path National Trail.
A town with fortifications built by a Saxon king and wrecked by a Viking king. L&T will introduce you to both, and reconstruct the mighty walls, as you are taken back to the Dark Ages. Then along the river bank we will pass through a rich meadow with rare flora, the site of the Roman Port for Corinium (Cirencester), and forgotten canals and railways. We can finish with a visit to one of the village pubs.
Meet L&T in Cricklade public car park (southern end of the High St. near B4040 and B4553).
Grid Ref: SU101 933 (Landranger Map 163/ 173)

White Horses, St. George and the Smith

(5 miles / 5 hrs) On Ridgeway National Trail.
L&T's most popular walk. Stunning views of the vale from Uffington Castle hillfort gets this walk off to a fine start. Was this the Iron Age equivalent of a motorway services, on the Ridgeway? Who cut the White Horse, and why? Did St. George slay the beast on Dragon Hill? Then while we walk along the ancient ridgeway you have a chance to think it over, before we reach a magical Neolithic Long Barrow for the Saxon story of "Wayland the Smith."
Meet L&T in the Uffington Castle car park. Follow signs for it off the B4507.
Grid Ref: SU 293 867 (Landranger Map 174)

It's the end of the Ridgeway as we know it

(3.5 miles / 4 hrs) On the bit of the Ridgeway that is not part of the National Trail.
A saxon god sleeps beneath a vast burial mound above the Vale of Pewsey. The site of the oldest house in England (7000years old!). The Wansdyke stretches from horizon to horizon. This landscape is full of archaeology and story. At the end, follow us down the hill to pub or take your car.
Meet L&T in Knap Hill Car Park. From Marlborough go west on A4, left to Lockeridge then head for Alton Barnes for about three miles.
Grid Ref: SU 115 638 (Landranger Map 173)

Rural Wiltshire: Stone, Steam, Water & Windmill

(5 miles / 6 hrs) On the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Wilton Windmill grinding flour, the Crofton Beam Engines pumping into the K&A canal, an eccentric museum of stonemasonry, a medieval thatched chapel, and a Roman Road for us to tramp along; all on the edge of the Savernake Forest. Great Bedwyn it certainly is!
Meet L&T at Great Bedwyn Railway Station.
Grid Ref: SU 280 645 (Landranger Map 174)
Beam Engine & Windmill have entrance fees totalling £3 (when we last looked) and are open selected weekends of the year. There is no pub on this route but the Beam Engine serves light refreshments.

Sacrifice at the Source of the Thames

Under development. On the Thames Path National Trail
Will feature:- A canal tunnel, the "official" source of the River Thames and a Roman Amphitheatre.

Stroll Through The Celtic Age

(5.5 miles / 5.5 hrs) On the Thames Path National Trail
A long lazy stroll by the Thames. You will see an Iron Age Hillfort, a Roman Road, and a reconstructed Roundhouse. We will enter a Celtic city that became a Roman town, and then a grave for Saxons. You will follow the adventures of Celtic hero Cuchulain. And meet with Iron Age people, the Emperors of Roman Britain, a God and a Goddess. There is a pub placed halfway round our route. This is L&T's personal favourite!
Meet L&T at the Nature Reserve car park behind Little Wittenham church, north-east from Didcot.
Grid Ref: SU 566 935 (Landranger Map 174/164)

The Hidden Side of Lacock Abbey

Under development.
Will feature:- Guide through the Lacock Abbey's lesser known ruined monastic side then you can explore the country house side. Gentle walk around the picturesque town, along the side of the Avon and past an abandoned canal. (Fee charged for entry to house and garden).
Grid Ref: ST918 683 (Landranger Map 173)

Vikings In The Vale

(5 miles / 5 hrs) On Thames Path & Ridgeway National Trails.
Wallingford; a town crammed with history and story. Saxon fortifications attacked by Vikings, a medieval castle attacked by Knights, and a lunch attacked by you! On this walk you get to sample both the riverside Thames Path & the Ridgeway along Grim's Ditch, as they cross each other here.
(It is possible to organise arrival at Cholsey Mainline Railway Station, and then take a ride to Wallingford on the steam railway.)(br /) Meet L&T at Wallingford Castle car park. Follow the sign posts.
Grid Ref: SU 609 897 (Landranger Map 175)

Celtic Clifton

(3.5 miles / 4 hrs) On the Monarchs Way.
A 350foot limestone gorge built by giants, with Georgian architecture on one side, and ancient woodland with Iron Age Hillforts on the other. And crowned with Brunel's famous suspension bridge. 3000yrs of story and history, with a few ghosts, beggars and druids thrown in for good measure. No Pub on route but there are plenty a few minutes walk from the starting point. This short walk could be done in an afternoon.
Meet L&T on the Clifton side of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
Grid Ref: ST 566 732 (Landranger Map 172)

Crook Peak: Over and Under the Mendip Hills

Under development. On the West Mendip Way.
Will feature:- A ridgewalk with vast views, Ice Age hunters, a sacred hill, wild heathland, mines, ancient boundaries and a landscape from the time of the Dinosaurs.

Curious Bits of Bristol

(? miles / ? hrs) On the Avon Walkway.
We can adapt from our radio series, of the same name, a walk of any length covering the less obvious parts of Bristol. Pirates & poets, giants & ghosts, monks & manufacturers, inventors & idiots. We can include a boat trip to take a break from walking, and there are plenty of nice pubs, and the main line Railway Station of Bristol Templemeads gives easy access to the city centre.
Meet L&T anywhere within 2 miles of the city centre.
Grid Ref: ST 590 730 (Landranger Map 172)

Darkside of Dyrham Park

Under development. On the Cotswold Way National Trail.
Will feature:- The battle of Dyrham 577AD, troublesome tollroads, the lost gardens of Dyrham Park House, and the Bronze Age murders at Tormarton.

Daring Do at Dunster Castle

Under development.
Will feature:- Tales of a sieges, medieval scandals, secret tunnels, a giant and a strange dragon charming saint. We will circumnavigate the magnificant castle and the picturesque town of Dunster from every possible view point (bring a camera).

Knoble Knightly Knonsense

Under development. On Wye Valley Path.
Will feature:- The full story of Goodrich Castle, the sieges and the sorrows. Walk beside the River Wye, and tales of Wild Edric leader of the spectral wild hunt.

Rock of Ages

(3 miles / 4 hrs) On West Mendip Way.
Brean Down has everything! Ice Age hunters, Bronze Age burials, Iron Age hillfort, Roman Temple, Napoleonic Fort, WWII special weapons testing and much more. All have left visible traces in the landscape. But this headland sticking out into the River Severn, with vast views, still holds many unsolved mysteries. There is a tearoom by the car park.
Meet L&T in the National Trust Car Park (there is a small charge for non-NTmembers). Grid Ref: ST 296 587 (Landranger Map 182)

Swallets & Spooks

Under development. On West Mendip Way.
Will feature:- A walk around the village of Priddy. Its ruined lead works, barrows, and steam swallowing caves (Swallets).

Temples, Terraces & Tombs

(5 miles / 5 hrs) On Cotswold Way National Trail.
Spectacular views from the Cotswold escarpment get this L&T walk off to a good start. On our way, we shall patrol the grandest Iron Age hillfort in the Cotswolds, enter the underworld of the Neolithic dead in their subterrainean tomb, picnic with strange Roman Gods at their temple, and you can even frolic with fairy folk if you feel so enclined. There is no pub on the route, but there is one half a mile from the car park at Nympsfield, which can be visited at the end of the walk.
Meet L&T in the picnic site & viewing point car park, on the B4066, 2 miles north of Uley.
Grid Ref: SO 794 013 (Landranger Map 162)

The Rings of Badbury: Ripples in Time

Under development.
Will feature:- Tales of conquering Romans and King Arthur. We will explore a complex landscape of Badbury Rings hillfort, bronze age barrows, Roman Temple and Roman Road.

The Chronicles of Corfe Castle

Under development.
Will feature:- The full history of the rise and fall of the castle. Explore the village, the medieval (and Mesolithic) common, and the ringwork castle built to besiege Corfe. (It was never taken in battle).

Hengistbury Head: The Sands of Time

(2.5 miles / 2.5 hrs)
Ice Age hunters, a Bronze Age queen, and even 18th century smugglers fighting with excise men on the beaches; all within the massive earthworks of an Iron Age port. This walk covers more time periods than any other we do.
No pub but there is a cafe by the Car Park.
Meet L&T at the visitor Car Park.
Grid Ref: SZ 162 911 (Landranger 195)

Studland: Sand, Salt & Shipwrecks

(4 miles / 4 hrs)
This wild heath, once used for hunting by King John, contains many secrets:- Roman Burials, remains of WWII war games, Viking shipwrecks, and cunning smugglers. There is also the story of the mysterious Agglestone.
Meet L&T at the Main Car Park for the Beach. (There is a charge for this National Trust Car Park). Note:- The area is very busy and the roads get congested in the summer holidays.
Grid Ref: SY 033 836 (Landranger Map 195)

YOU WANT MORE!?

If none of the above suit we can research and develop a site specific walk or event for you, be it Castle, Medieval Hall, Abbey, Hillfort or Prehistoric Landscape.

Contact: Catspaw Event Management via jo@catspaw.uk.net