Gog Magog Hills facts for kids
The Gog Magog Hills are a group of low, chalky hills located southeast of Cambridge in England. They stretch for several miles and are a popular spot for outdoor activities. The highest points are called "Telegraph Clump" (about 75 meters high), Little Trees Hill, and Wandlebury Hill (both about 74 meters high). These hills have a unique look with noticeable drops between their tops, making them stand out from other nearby hills.
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History of the Gog Magog Hills
Giants and Ancient Stories
In old English folklore, there was a giant named Gogmagog. According to a famous 12th-century book, Historia Regum Britanniae, Gogmagog was one of the giants living in Albion (an old name for Britain). He was said to be the last giant killed by Brutus of Troy and his men, who threw him from a cliff.
There was also a book called Where Troy Once Stood that suggested the ancient city of Troy might have been in the Gog Magog Downs. However, most experts do not believe this idea.
Early Mentions and Old Settlements
The name "Gog Magog" for this area first appeared in a rule from 1574. This rule stopped students from visiting the hills, or they would have to pay a fine.
Digging around the hills has shown signs of old defenses at Copley Hill and Cherry Hinton. These defenses date back to the Iron Age, but people were living in these spots even earlier, during the Bronze Age.
The Wandlebury Hill Fort
A well-preserved old fort, known as the Wandlebury Ring, is now part of a public park. This fort had several circular ditches and earth walls, held in place by wooden fences called palisades. People lived here during the Bronze Age, and archaeologists have found bronze and iron tools, along with pottery, including "Knobbed Ware" from that time.
Telegraph Clump and Hidden Figures
"Telegraph Clump" was once part of an old communication system. From the 1820s to around 1850, it was a spot for a semaphore line. This was an optical telegraph system that sent messages between London and Great Yarmouth using signals from tall poles.
An archaeologist named T. C. Lethbridge believed he found ancient hill figures buried in the chalk under the hills. He thought these figures showed a sun-god, a moon-goddess, and a warrior-god. However, his ideas were debated and are not widely accepted by other experts.
Modern Use of the Hills
Since 1901, part of the chalk hills has been used as a golf course by the Gog Magog Golf Club. But much of the area is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning it's important for its natural features.
Magog Down: A Place for Nature and Fun
In 1989, a charity called the Magog Trust bought about 163.5 acres of old farmland near Little Trees Hill. Their goal was to turn it back into chalk grassland and open it for everyone to enjoy. This new area was named Magog Down.
Some of the money to buy the land came from selling "Gogs" to the public. These were like small, symbolic pieces of land that cost £5 each. Magog Down has become a great place for plants and insects that like chalky soil. It's also very popular for recreation, especially for people walking their dogs. Running races are often held there to help raise money for local schools.
Magog Down is located across the A1307 road from the Wandlebury country park. Both Magog Down and Wandlebury Country Park are favorite spots for people to get fresh air and enjoy the outdoors near Cambridge.
Naming the Hills
Locals often call the open areas on these hills simply the Gogs. This usually refers to Magog Down, but some people might also use it for Wandlebury Country Park. The local newspaper, Cambridge News, often uses "the Gog Magogs" to talk about both Wandlebury and Magog Down together. To make things a bit more confusing, the nearby Gog Magog Hills Farm Shop and Cafe changed its name in 2016 to "The Gog."
There are also 16 addresses on the Gog Magog Hills Estate that share the postal address "Gog Magog Hills." Most of these are inside the Wandlebury Country Park.
Busway Ideas
In 2016, there were ideas for new transport links along the A1307 road. One idea was to build a new busway right across the Gog Magog Hills, possibly through or next to Magog Down. This idea worried groups like Cambridge Past Present and Future and The Magog Trust. Later, there were promises that any busway would not go through the hills. However, the idea for an off-road busway came up again in 2017.
