Landscape Section

About the Landscape Section

Current programme: a full listing of all events organised by the different sections of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society.

Events planned by the Landscape Section in 2025

Sat 4th October - jointly with the Local History Section - a visit to Crondall - 10.15 am to 4.00 pm approx. N.B.: This is a revised date.

Part of Crondall at 25" to 1 mile in 1910.

Background: The Hampshire Field Club last visited the large village of Crondall, in n.e. Hampshire, in 1913 so a return visit is long overdue. In the Buildings of England (formerly Pevsner) for n. Hampshire it is described as: "A large village that appears to have been developed around a former green, encroached onto from the c16 onwards, producing a grid plan. (p.231)

All Saints Church: "Approached by a lime avenue, the heavily buttressed exterior, dominated by a proud brick N. tower of 1658, is promising...the noble Transitional interior does not disappoint,for the clerestoried nave leads to a splendid rib-vaulted chancel with an Agnus Dei boss, lit in part by clear glass and full of Norman details" (p291 Betjemans's Best British Churches, new edition 2011.)

Programme & Booking Information: follow the link to find out more and to book your place.

Sat 8th March - 'Visit to study the Geology of Highcliffe Beach and Friar’s Cliff including some history of Highcliffe Castle and grounds.'

• To link to the Newsletter articles on Hampshire’s Geology, John Firth (author of ‘Geology & Archaeology of Hampshire’ (2024)) led a visit to the coastal landscape of s.e. Hampshire/ s.w. Dorset. The walk passed through the grounds of Highcliffe Castle as well as through Steamer Point Nature Reserve. The visit linked the landscape features to the geology of this part of the county.
• This area of coast is formed of some of the younger rocks in Hampshire/Dorset. Features included: formation of Christchurch Bay; the effects of rock strata on coastal features; geological features like ‘ball & pillow’ structures; and changes to drainage during and after the end of the last Ice Ages. The outward route, towards Christchurch, followed the paths along the cliff edge climbing to the level ground at Highcliffe Castle. The return was along the base of the cliffs from Friar's Cliff eastwards.

Sun 10th August - Geology and habitats of Passfield Common and Conford Moor

View of coppiced woodland at Passfield Common.

Chris Webb led a guided walk which concentrated on Conford and Conford Moor. Conford Moor forms an ancient common on the edge of Woolmer Forest. Further details are available.

Sat 13th September - jointly with the Woolmer Forest Heritage Society - Elizabeth Barlow and the Discovery of the Woolmer Urn

Woolmer Pond Cottage - the larger 1850s extension is on the right.

In an article in Hampshire Studies 2024, Dawn Cansfield wrote about Elizabeth Barlow’s early 19th century investigations in Woolmer Forest which included the discovery of a Bronze Age collared urn. Dawn led a visit to some of the sites featured in Mrs Barlow’s story, which involved such well-known individuals as antiquarian Revd John Skinner and naturalist Gilbert White, set within the context of the Woolmer Forest landscape.

Dawn Cansfield gave an introductory talk after which the group walked to Slab Common to examine the barrows where the Woolmer Urn was found.

After lunch the party drove to a parking area next to a roundabout at the south west edge of Woolmer Forest - SU783316. Greatly assissted by members of the Woolmer Forest Heritage Society, we walked alongside Woolmer Pond, an ephemeral, dystophic lake, to Woolmer Pond Cottage, previously the home of Nathaniel Prettejohn, foreman of Woolmer Forest, who excavated and corresponded with Elizabeth Barlow. The history of the lake and its archaeological context was discussed.

At the end of the visit, some chose to make a further stop at Whitehill Village Hall, in the car park of which are two well-preserved Bronze Age barrows.

If you have any questions, please email landscape@hantsfieldclub.org.uk.

Landscape Section Events in 2024

Landscape Section Events in 2023

Landcape Section Events in 2022

Newsletter: The Landscape Section publishes articles in the HFC Newsletter and we welcome contributions on landscape related topics. If you have any ideas or articles for the Newsletter, please email landscape-newsletter@hantsfieldclub.org.uk to discuss your proposal.