OUR WORK
The Trust develops and delivers projects to support and enhance natural beauty and local priorities across the North Wessex Downs, working in partnership with others to deliver bigger, better and more joined up initiatives.
WELCOME TO THE NORTH WESSEX DOWNS
With funding from the National Landscape Partnership, we are working with the five local authorities within the area to raise the profile of the North Wessex Downs by positioning signage to let visitors know when they are entering the National Landscape on all main roads.
Our next challenge is to secure funding to install information panels at all the railway stations too, so that everyone knows what a special landscape this is and why.
POSTCARDS FROM THE NORTH WESSEX DOWNS
As well as iconic features like Avebury stone circle, Wilton Windmill, Wayland's Smithy and Combe Gibbet, the North Wessex Downs is full of hidden gems off the beaten track. We want to encourage people to explore these by sharing beautiful images and quirky stories, and help them to plan fascinating visits whether they're here for the weekend, a couple of hours, or life!
Currently a work in progress, soon you'll be able to use an interactive map find out more about some of the less well-known attractions and collect tokens when you visit them. We're also planning a touring exhibition and maybe even a book. In the meantime though, we're busy gathering ideas for places to feature, so if your town or village has a fabulous viewpoint, an unusual historic relic, an interesting building or anything else you'd like to share, please get in touch.
VIBRANT VERGES
Simon Claybourn is a wildflower verge expert, who has worked with West Berkshire groups on implementing wildflower verges. He has used his knowledge and experience to build a survey tool for anyone who is looking to grow a wildflower verge or area.
Developed with the Pewsey Community Area Partnership, the survey helps people to identify suitable locations for wildflowers and advises on how to care for the wildflower area so that it is self-perpetuating.
EVENT PROGRAMME
What better way to share our passion for the Downs than by offering a programme of free events at our favourite locations? We're busy planning a varied selection of workshops, visits, talks and activities, all designed to highlight a particular aspect of the North Wessex Downs. So one month we might be exploring an historic building, the next learning about regenerative agriculture, and the next crafting traditional willow sculptures from locally sourced materials.
Some events will be aimed at families while others will be themed to suit a specific audience. We've got lots of ideas for topics, but if you have any special requests do let us know!