Savernake
Savernake maps (2 available)
Map of Wiltshire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Savernake books (14 available)
- 2 photos on Savernake appear in 1 Frith books - View photos of Savernake
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Savernake and Wiltshire
Savernake memories
Read and share memories of Savernake and Wiltshire inspired by Frith photos
A Respite, a Sanctuary on a Long Journey.
Savernake Forest is significant to me because this was the chosen halfway point on our family's mid 1950's journey from Hereford to Portsmouth for our annual summer holidays.
Here, my stepfather would pull the old Hillman off the road amongst this ancient, historic forest's huge oaks and take out the sandwiches and lemonade we had packed for the trip and wolf them down ( I was always hungry) followed by stretching our legs in the cool of the forest , before resuming our journey.
Contributed by DYLAN RIVIS
Wiltshire memories
A Respite, a Sanctuary on a Long Journey.
Savernake Forest is significant to me because this was the chosen halfway point on our family's mid 1950's journey from Hereford to Portsmouth for our annual summer holidays.
Here, my stepfather would pull the old Hillman off the road amongst this ancient, historic forest's huge oaks and take out the sandwiches and lemonade we had packed for the trip and wolf them down ( I was always hungry) followed by stretching our legs in the cool of the forest , before resuming our journey.
A memory of Savernake contributed by DYLAN RIVIS
My Gt. Bedwyn Family.
The Eastman Family lived in Gt. Bedwyn from 1735. My Grandad lived in Brook Street then later at Railway Terrace, until his death in 1934. My Grandad had died several years before I was born, but I have vivid memories of my Grandma Carrie; she died in 1951. She was a tiny woman about 5ft 2ins - I was taller than her when I was 10 years old. She had very long hair which she put up in a bun on the top of her head. She took it out to brush it at night and I remember it was not that grey even when she was 80. I think she used to say she put soda in the water. She ...read more here
A memory of Great Bedwyn contributed by Heather Trayhorne
my childhood days
My memories of Great Bedwyn are spending my holidays with my gran and grandad William and Beatrice Alderman in Castle Rd and my uncle Dennis. My uncle and grandad were both signalmen at Great Bedwyn and I used to go down to take their tea. It was lovely to watch the steam trains go by. My gran took me on lovely walks up through the forest where we would sit and I would make daisy chains with my cousin Shirley. We would go to the man who made baskets and I can still remember my gran buying me a little basket with orange weaved around it. I also loved going to the bakers where there was the lovely smell of bread ...read more here
A memory of Great Bedwyn contributed by elizabeth fletcher
Extracts From Savernake & Wiltshire books
This is a typical lodge house
of the Ailesbury Estate variety;
it bears Gothic features such
as the ornate barge-boards
and detailing to the eaves.
This lodge has fish-scale tiles
that were popular in the later
19th century. Labourers work-
ing nearby have obviously
been drafted in to add a rustic
charm to the picture.
An extract from from"Marlborough Photographic Memories".
This famous Edwardian county hotel was built on the edge of Savernake
Forest, where the Great Western Railway and the Kennet and Avon
Canal enter the Vale of Pewsey. Now, more than 90 years after this
picture was taken, this fine building, which is no longer a hotel, seems
to be located in the middle of nowhere.
An extract from from"Wiltshire Pocket Album".
There were two stations at Savernake, an Upper and Lower; one
served the Great Western Company, the other the Midland SW
Junction. Note the sack trolley on the right, the Gentlemen sign,
the notice boards, the footbridge over the track: these functional
items can still be seen today in some stations, ninety years later.
An extract from from"Wiltshire Pocket Album".
This fine old 17th-
century farmhouse, built
in a mixture of materials,
stone, brick, tile-hanging
and long straw thatch,
is typical of the area
around Marlborough.
It was known as Brown’s
by 1718. By the middle
of the 20th century it
was being used as an
outhouse, and it was
demolished in 1961–2
to make way for more
modern farm buildings.
An extract from from"Marlborough Photographic Memories".
This is a typical lodge house
of the Ailesbury Estate variety;
it bears Gothic features such
as the ornate barge-boards
and detailing to the eaves.
This lodge has fish-scale tiles
that were popular in the later
19th century. Labourers work-
ing nearby have obviously
been drafted in to add a rustic
charm to the picture.
An extract from from"Marlborough Photographic Memories".