Additional information
Terrain
- Field paths and established tracks
Landscape
- Farmland, woodland, parkland, village streets
Dog friendliness
- Keep dogs under control at all times
Parking
- Roadside parking near church in Ramsbury
Toilets en route
- In front of church in Ramsbury
About the walk
The large old village of Ramsbury nestles on a wide stretch of the River Kennet close to the Berkshire border. Between AD 908 and 1058 Ramsbury was the centre of a flourishing diocese, complete with cathedral and bishop, before it was transferred to preferred Sherborne and later to Old Sarum.... Although a mere parish for more than nine centuries, the village has an impressive church built on Anglo-Saxon foundations. Mysteries of Littlecote House With parts dating back to the 13th century, Littlecote is an exquisite manor house standing amid spacious lawns and gardens, with the River Kennet running through the surrounding parkland. Behind the building’s long, gabled Elizabethan facade are some fine architectural treasures, notably the 110ft (33.5m) Long Gallery, the oak-panelled Great Hall and the magnificent Cromwellian chapel, probably the only complete example of its kind in England. Tales of mystery, intrigue and royal visits abound at Littlecote (now an adults-only hotel run by Warner Leisure). Jane Seymour is said to have entertained Henry VIII here before their marriage. Later, Charles II dined here with Colonel Alexander Popham. In 1688 William of Orange met with the commissioners of King James II at the house. Among the regular sightings of ghosts have been that of a mother and her baby, a midwife and that of Will Darrell who owned the estate in the mid-16th century. Known as ‘Wild’ Darrell for his unruly lifestyle, it is said that he had many mistresses, including his own sister whom he made pregnant. One night he called for Mother Barnes, a midwife, to deliver the child. She was brought blindfolded into a secret chamber off the Long Gallery, delivered the child and gave it to Darrell who immediately threw it on the fire. Although rewarded with gold, the midwife’s conscience troubled her and she finally told the local magistrate. The story goes that Darrell was brought to trial, accused of murder, before Judge Popham, but was acquitted after bribing Popham with the offer of Littlecote House. A year later Darrell was killed falling from his horse. The Orpheus mosaic William George, the steward of Littlecote Park, unearthed the remains of the Roman villa which lies to the west of the mansion, in the early 18th century. Edward Popham, the owner of Littlecote, allowed George to make detailed drawings of the magnificent mosaic floor before ordering it to be buried again to avoid publicity. George died shortly afterwards and it was thought that the mosaic had subsequently been destroyed until it was rediscovered by archaeologists in 1978. Excavations have continued over the 3-acre (1.2ha) site, but you will find the showpiece of the villa, the superb Orpheus mosaic, beautifully restored and relaid in its original position (under a sheltering roof). Dating from around AD 360, it plays an important role in our understanding of early Christian architecture.
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