North Wessex Downs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Wessex Downs |
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This is a typical view of the chalk North Wessex Downs in the north west part of Hampshire
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Location of the North Wessex Downs AONB in the UK
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| Location | England |
| Designated | 1972 |
The North Wessex Downs is a special natural area in England. It is known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). You can find it across the counties of Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire.
The name North Wessex Downs is quite new. This area was traditionally known by many local names. These include the Berkshire Downs, the North Hampshire Downs, the White Horse Hills, the Lambourn Downs, and the Marlborough Downs. Parts like the Vale of Pewsey and Savernake Forest are also included.
Contents
What is the North Wessex Downs?
The North Wessex Downs AONB covers a large area. It is about 1,730 square kilometers (668 square miles). Imagine a giant horseshoe shape. The open part of the horseshoe faces east. Inside this open area are the town of Newbury and the River Kennet.
The northern part of the horseshoe reaches Reading and Didcot. The southern part goes as far as Basingstoke. To the west, the area stretches to Calne and Devizes.
Highest Points and Slopes
The highest points in the North Wessex Downs are Walbury Hill and the Milk Hill-Tan Hill plateau. Walbury Hill is 297 meters (974 feet) high. It is the highest point in southern England east of the Mendip Hills. The Milk Hill-Tan Hill plateau is 295 meters (968 feet) above sea level.
The land here has steep and gentle slopes. A steep slope is called a scarp. A gentler slope is called a dip slope. For example, the Berkshire Downs have a steep scarp facing north. This looks over the Vale of White Horse. The gentler dip slope faces south towards the Kennet valley. This area includes Lambourn, a village famous for horse racing.
Further west, near Marlborough, the downs curve south. The Vale of Pewsey cuts through these downs. This valley carries the start of the Hampshire River Avon. You can also find the wooded area of Savernake Forest here.
Land and Nature
The land in the North Wessex Downs is mostly made of chalk. This chalk forms part of a larger chalk area in southern England. This chalk formation stretches from Dorset in the west to Kent in the east. Other famous chalk areas include the Dorset Downs and the Chiltern Hills.
This area is very important for science. It has a special habitat for a rare plant called the early gentian. The chalk hills, dry valleys, and special stones called sarsen are also notable. These sarsen stones were used to build many ancient sites. These include Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments like Avebury Henge.
Horse Racing and the Local Economy
Horse racing is a very important business in this area. The chalky ground creates excellent turf, which is perfect for training horses. Many parts of the uplands are used for gallops and training areas. Villages like Lambourn are home to large horse racing stables. Other villages with strong horse racing links include Beckhampton, Kingsclere, and West Ilsley.
The word "steeplechase" actually started here. A steeplechase was originally a race between two villages. Riders would navigate by looking for the church steeples visible across the rolling hills.
Famous Books Set Here
The famous children's book Watership Down by Richard Adams is set in this area. You can find Watership Down on the south-east side of the AONB. It is north of the town of Whitchurch, Hampshire.
Also, parts of the book Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy take place on the Berkshire Downs. Many of the villages mentioned in the book are connected to these downs.
Managing the AONB
The North Wessex Downs was named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1972. It is looked after by a group called the Council of Partners. This group includes different organizations and local councils. They work together to protect and manage this special natural area.
Some of the groups involved are:
- Local councils like Hampshire County Council and Wiltshire Council.
- Nature groups like Natural England.
- Groups interested in history, such as English Heritage.
- Farming and business groups like the National Farmers' Union.
- Community groups and those interested in outdoor activities like the Ramblers' Association.
See also
In Spanish: North Wessex Downs para niños
