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Relaxed Guided Walks around the woods, downs and ancient sites of Wiltshire
Savernake Named Oak Trees
Visitors to the Wiltshire Walls Website have shown a great interest in the Named Oak Trees of Savernake (and one Beech), their locations, and in visiting them. It is not known when the tree naming convention started, but ‘The King Oak‘ is mentioned in various texts back to 1634. In recent years the Ordnance Survey maps have shown six named trees - ’King Oak’, ‘Queen Oak’, ‘Braydon Oak’, ‘Amity Oak’ and just simply ‘Oak’ and ‘Beech’. Other trees have been mentioned in 19th Century texts - particularly the ‘Creeping Oak’, with more modern documents revealing the exact planting date of ‘The Cluster Oak’.
It is possible to visit all of the Named Trees on-foot in a single session (see our S11 below); this is a ‘moderate’ circular walk of some 11 miles, however, to keep the distance to a reasonable level there are several points at which some ‘off-track’ walking is required. This necessitates a good pair of walking boots, possibly gaiters, and a pair of old stout long walking trousers which may become torn by brambles!
Many people would rather tackle the trees in a more leisurely fashion, in which case we offer two other Guided Walks, S9 the northern Named Trees, and S10, the mid and south Named Trees.
S9 (an ‘easy’ 5 miles) covers nine Named Trees, the main WWII Military area of Savernake, and many ‘Points of Interest’ of the Forest.
S10 (a ‘moderate’ walk of 8 miles) covers sixteen Named Trees, and includes Savernake’s intriguing second monument, an unusual tribute headstone, and an easy Geocache if desired.
N.B. Neither S9 or S10 covers the rather remote ‘Amity Oak’, as introducing this tree to either would incur an extra two miles to each. However, it is feasible to cover all 25 standing trees in our 11 mile S11 Walk. This requires a little stamina, and is a full day Walk, but we allow for several breaks, including a lunch stop, and covers all the main areas of Savernake.
Dates and Times: See our Dates Pages for more details
Prices and Discounts: Click here for our current Prices Page
Prices and Discounts: Click here for our current Prices Page
Key to Features
available during walks
available during walks
A
Ancient Site
B
Bluebells (mid April - end May
M
Monuments
N
Suitable for Newcomers
F
Fruit & Nuts
(Autumn)
(Autumn)
G
New - Geocache on this Walk
S
Scenic Views
Click here for details on the Named Trees in Savernake
Click here for a Photo-Gallery of Ancient Trees in Savernake
S10 - Savernake Named Oak Trees - South.
A Tour to see starter tour to see the remaining two-thirds of the Named Oak Trees in Savernake, along with many hundred substantial Notable and Veteran Trees. This is a ‘moderate’ Walk, but is an easy half-day Walk, which can be extended to a full day if a picnic lunch is required.
A Tour to see starter tour to see the remaining two-thirds of the Named Oak Trees in Savernake, along with many hundred substantial Notable and Veteran Trees. This is a ‘moderate’ Walk, but is an easy half-day Walk, which can be extended to a full day if a picnic lunch is required.
|
Distance: |
8 miles |
Walk Time: |
3 - 4 Hrs |
Total Time: |
5 Hrs |
|
No of Climbs |
2 |
Terrain: |
Climbs - 40 ft |
Difficulty: |
Moderate - 1.5 |
|
Price Band: |
C |
Features: |
F S M G |
Days: |
Any Day |
S11 - Savernake Named Oak Trees - All.
An incredible tour of all the current Named Trees in Savernake! At 11 miles, a little stamina and sensible walking gear are required, but be amongst the first people (excepting Forestry Commission staff!) to know where all these Named Trees are located, and to have actually visited them! This Walk takes in every feature and aspect of Savernake, including three or four Geocaches, some of the ancient Ponds in the Forests, many Points of Interest, and, of course, hundreds of the 7000 Ancient, Veteran and Notable Trees of Savernake. A full-day Walk, bring your camera as this is a nature photographers paradise walk, with a Custom Picnic being available for those booking S11 as an ‘Exclusive’ Walk.
An incredible tour of all the current Named Trees in Savernake! At 11 miles, a little stamina and sensible walking gear are required, but be amongst the first people (excepting Forestry Commission staff!) to know where all these Named Trees are located, and to have actually visited them! This Walk takes in every feature and aspect of Savernake, including three or four Geocaches, some of the ancient Ponds in the Forests, many Points of Interest, and, of course, hundreds of the 7000 Ancient, Veteran and Notable Trees of Savernake. A full-day Walk, bring your camera as this is a nature photographers paradise walk, with a Custom Picnic being available for those booking S11 as an ‘Exclusive’ Walk.
|
Distance: |
11 miles |
Walk Time: |
4 - 5 Hrs |
Total Time: |
7 - 8 Hrs |
|
No of Climbs |
4 |
Terrain: |
Climbs - 60 ft |
Difficulty: |
Moderate - 2 |
|
Price Band: |
E |
Features: |
F S M G |
Days: |
Any Day |
S9 - Savernake Named Oak Trees - North.
A starter tour to see around one-third of the Named Oak Trees in Savernake, along with some substantial Notable and Veteran Trees. The Walk include an area populated by the military during WWII, and can be extended by two miles if Walkers require to visit the Amity Oak.
A starter tour to see around one-third of the Named Oak Trees in Savernake, along with some substantial Notable and Veteran Trees. The Walk include an area populated by the military during WWII, and can be extended by two miles if Walkers require to visit the Amity Oak.
|
Distance: |
5 miles |
Walk Time: |
2 - 3 Hrs |
Total Time: |
4 Hrs |
|
No of Climbs |
0 |
Terrain: |
Slight |
Difficulty: |
Easy - 1 |
|
Price Band: |
B |
Features: |
F S M G |
Days: |
Any Day |
S9 Extended - Savernake Named Oak Trees - North.
A slightly longer S9 tour of the Named Oak Trees, visiting a few extra Points of Interest and with a Picnic Stop at the halfway point. The Walk includes areas populated by the military during WWII, and can be extended by two miles if Walkers require to visit the Amity Oak.
A slightly longer S9 tour of the Named Oak Trees, visiting a few extra Points of Interest and with a Picnic Stop at the halfway point. The Walk includes areas populated by the military during WWII, and can be extended by two miles if Walkers require to visit the Amity Oak.
|
Distance: |
6 miles |
Walk Time: |
3 Hrs |
Total Time: |
5 Hrs |
|
No of Climbs |
0 |
Terrain: |
Slight |
Difficulty: |
Easy - 1 |
|
Price Band: |
C |
Features: |
F S M G |
Days: |
Any Day |
