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Explore savernake forest with this detailed guide, discovering ancient oak trees such as bumble oak, white road oak, saddle oak 1 and 2, original queen oak, new queen oak, spider oak, replacement king oak, big belly oak, old punchy, and the magnificent cathedral oak. Navigate through the forest with ease and uncover the history behind each tree. Use ordnance survey explorer map 157 for reference.
Typology: Study notes
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Savernake Forest can be reached by footpath from the South East edge of Marlborough. If you come by car head to the North West corner of the forest, just off the A346, where there is free parking in the Postern Hill Car Park (SN8 4ND). This is where our trail begins.
BUMBLE OAK can be found on the north side of the road to the parking area, opposite the information panel. Of all the veteran trees on the route, this may not be the most impressive, but it is certainly the easiest to locate. From here, take the path opposite the sign to the loos and head into the forest.
After half a mile turn left at the crossroads (the junction of White Road and Grey Ride). Here you will find the statuesque WHITE ROAD OAK, with its girth measuring in at nearly a whopping 7 m.
Continue down this track, taking the next path on your right. This is called Long Harry and, though it is not sign posted, look out for an information board there. Follow the path and keep your eyes peeled for a diagonal track crossing it. 100 m after you see this track, take the turning on your left.
Here you will find a clearing with SADDLE OAK 1 and SADDLE OAK
Return to the main path and continue for half a mile. Turn right when you reach GRAND AVENUE. At 3. miles, the beech-lined avenue is the longest in Britain, stretching from the outskirts of Marlborough to almost the front door of Tottenham House.
Grand Avenue connects with 7 other forest rides at Eight Walks, which acts as a hub linking all the major walks through the woodland. Here, take the top right path, passing by a large open glade.
Walk on for half a mile before taking an overgrown track on your right (this comes shortly after a discreet path on the left). At the fork, turn right where you will find the unremarkable REPLACEMENT KING OAK.
Return to the left fork to discover three oaks in quick succession – SPIDER OAK, ORIGINAL QUEEN OAK (in an advanced state of decay, having been planted to celebrate the wedding of Jane Seymour to Henry VIII in 1536) and NEW QUEEN OAK.
Big Belly Oak
Illustrations by Charlotte Dryden-Kelsey.