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Ludshott Common and Waggoners Wells

May 18, 2024

Ludshott Common and Waggoners Wells (the latter sometimes written with an apostrophe: Waggoners' Wells) is a National Trust reserve; Ludshott Common is an area of heathland and Waggoners Wells a series of man-made ponds with a connecting stream. The reserve is situated between Grayshott, Bramshott and Headley Down in East Hampshire, England. To the south is the large heathland area of Bramshott Common.[1] Some 415 acres (168 ha) is under the care of the Woodland Trust.[2]

The middle pond, Waggoners Wells

Ludshott Common edit

Description edit

Ludshott Common is one of the largest remaining areas of heathland in East Hampshire.[3] It lies parallel to and south of the B3002 road between Headley Down to the west and Grayshott to the east. It covers 285 hectares (700 acres) and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) due to the number of endangered species, including woodlark, nightjar and Dartford warbler. There are also a great many spiders and butterflies, including silver-studded blue, grayling and green hairstreak.[4][5] Adders, grass snakes and sand lizards also inhabit the common.[6] Rabbits are widespread and roe deer may occasionally be seen.[7] The most common trees are Scots pine and silver birch, with some oak.

While much of the common is heather and gorse scrub on a fine sandy soil, there was an elevated stand of mature Scots pine trees with little or no undergrowth known locally as "the cathedral" or "cathedral pines".[8][9] Many had been removed by the end of 2020, owing to their roots having been damaged by fires.[10]

In 2013 consultations were underway with a view to seeking permission to resume grazing on 550 acres of the common.[11]

History edit

Ludshott Common constituted half of the ancient Manor of Ludshott, in the Hundred of Neatham, dating back to Saxon times. It is described as being under the lordship of Hugh de Port in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was listed as comprising 10 households; in 1066 the overlord had been King Edward the Confessor.[12] Court baron rolls go back to about 1400.[13]

Ludshott Common owes its present state to the traditional use made of common land by local people: to graze their cattle, pigs, sheep, and ponies and to collect gorse, heather, wood, and bracken for fuel, and for animal bedding and winter fodder. Such uses ceased around the beginning of the 20th century. The land was acquired by the National Trust in 1908 in response to the growing pressure from housing development in Headley Down.[14]

During the Second World War in the 1940s, Ludshott Common was used as a tank manoeuvres training ground, and the heather was largely turned to mud. The heather recovered, and was managed from the 1970s onwards. A camp (named Superior Camp) for Canadian troops, one of several in the vicinity, was built at the eastern corner of the common. Evidence of the layout can be seen even though it was demolished in the 1950s/1960s.

Periodically, fires would break out on the common. In 1962, 200 acres (0.81 km2) were burnt and, in 1965, 400 acres (1.6 km2). Further serious fires occurred in 1969 and 1976, the latter being the worst ever known in Hampshire, spreading rapidly and burning 600 acres (2.4 km2), lasting eight days. On 12 May 1980, 600 of the 695 acres (2.81 km2) were burnt by a fire fanned by high winds. Residents of roads in Headley Down which bordered the common were evacuated. Firefighters brought the fire under control in just over seven hours at 19:55. Relief crews remained on site overnight controlling small outbreaks of fire and damping down, with further relief crews taking over at 06:00 the following morning.[15]

Waggoners Wells edit

 
Wishing well plaque commemorating composition of Flower in the Crannied Wall

Waggoners Wells is set amongst woodland in a steep valley situated between Ludshott Common to the north west and Bramshott Common to the south east.

The original name of the series of ponds was Wakeners' Wells. They were created in the 17th century by the Hooke family of Bramshott. [16] They were possibly originally intended as hammer ponds, that is, to serve the local iron industry, but they appear never to have been so used.[5] The woodland surrounding the ponds is notable for its mature beech trees.

Vehicular access is via Waggoners Wells Lane from Grayshott as far as the ford and a small car park beyond; the lane originally continued south-eastwards to Kingswood Lane, and thence to the London to Portsmouth road (A3), but today only a footpath through the woodland remains.

Catch and release fishing for carp, roach, tench, perch and other species is a popular pursuit,[17] as is nature rambling and birdwatching.

 
Summerden

The stream that emerges from the pond furthest to the south-west is called Cooper's Stream. The house situated at the bottom of the ponds is Summerden and is a private residence of the National Trust warden of the area. Near it is a wishing well, mentioned by Flora Thompson in her writings of the locality, and recorded by a National Trust plaque as being the place at which Alfred, Lord Tennyson was inspired to compose his short poem Flower in the Crannied Wall. The stream flowing from Waggoners Wells runs west to Standford, around the west of Headley, and eventually into the River Wey. The stream powered many mills that worked ironworks, including Headley Mill. Paper mills were also run along the water that flowed from Waggoners Wells.

The gatefold photo of Fleetwood Mac's 1973 album Penguin was shot on location at Waggoners Wells.[18]

References edit

  1. ^ Ordnance Survey
  2. ^ "Woodland Trust: Ludshott Common and Waggoners Wells". Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  3. ^ "National Trust - Ludshott Commons". Retrieved 2 Mar 2014.
  4. ^ "National Trust: Ludshott Commons". Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  5. ^ a b National Trust | South East | Ludshott Common & Waggoner's Wells 2009-09-17 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "National Trust: Ludshott: Reptiles". Retrieved 11 Mar 2014.
  7. ^ "National Trust: Ludshott: Animals". Retrieved 11 Mar 2014.
  8. ^ "Ludshott Common cathedral". Retrieved 3 Mar 2014.
  9. ^ "National Trust: Commons Link newsletter" (PDF). Retrieved 3 Mar 2014.
  10. ^ "Headley History timeline". Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  11. ^ "National Trust: Ludshott: Grazing". Retrieved 11 Mar 2014.
  12. ^ "Open Domesday: Ludshott". Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Ludshott Manor Court Rolls". Retrieved 11 Mar 2014.
  14. ^ "Ludshott Common in the 20th century". Retrieved 2 Mar 2014.
  15. ^ The History of Grayshott Fire Station 1906 - 2007, Hampshire Fire & Rescue, 2007.
  16. ^ Grayshott Village Archive - (via Internet Archive)
  17. ^ "Grayshott Angling Club: Waggoners Wells". Retrieved 3 Mar 2014. (Details and photographs)
  18. ^ . Archived from the original on 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2017-01-26.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ludshott Common.
  • . The National Trust. Archived from the original on 2009-09-17.
  • "Grayshott Village Archive".
  • "Friends of Ludshott and Passfield Commons". The Ludshott Commons Committee, part of The National Trust.
  • "All Tanked Up". BBC Peoples War.
  • Highlights and pictures of Waggoners Wells from Travblog
  • Headley History timeline

51°6′12″N 0°46′10.45″W / 51.10333°N 0.7695694°W / 51.10333; -0.7695694

May 18, 2024
ludshott, common, waggoners, wells, latter, sometimes, written, with, apostrophe, waggoners, wells, national, trust, reserve, ludshott, common, area, heathland, waggoners, wells, series, made, ponds, with, connecting, stream, reserve, situated, between, graysh. Ludshott Common and Waggoners Wells the latter sometimes written with an apostrophe Waggoners Wells is a National Trust reserve Ludshott Common is an area of heathland and Waggoners Wells a series of man made ponds with a connecting stream The reserve is situated between Grayshott Bramshott and Headley Down in East Hampshire England To the south is the large heathland area of Bramshott Common 1 Some 415 acres 168 ha is under the care of the Woodland Trust 2 The middle pond Waggoners Wells Contents 1 Ludshott Common 1 1 Description 1 2 History 2 Waggoners Wells 3 References 4 External linksLudshott Common editDescription edit Ludshott Common is one of the largest remaining areas of heathland in East Hampshire 3 It lies parallel to and south of the B3002 road between Headley Down to the west and Grayshott to the east It covers 285 hectares 700 acres and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest SSSI and Special Protection Area SPA due to the number of endangered species including woodlark nightjar and Dartford warbler There are also a great many spiders and butterflies including silver studded blue grayling and green hairstreak 4 5 Adders grass snakes and sand lizards also inhabit the common 6 Rabbits are widespread and roe deer may occasionally be seen 7 The most common trees are Scots pine and silver birch with some oak While much of the common is heather and gorse scrub on a fine sandy soil there was an elevated stand of mature Scots pine trees with little or no undergrowth known locally as the cathedral or cathedral pines 8 9 Many had been removed by the end of 2020 owing to their roots having been damaged by fires 10 In 2013 consultations were underway with a view to seeking permission to resume grazing on 550 acres of the common 11 History edit Ludshott Common constituted half of the ancient Manor of Ludshott in the Hundred of Neatham dating back to Saxon times It is described as being under the lordship of Hugh de Port in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as comprising 10 households in 1066 the overlord had been King Edward the Confessor 12 Court baron rolls go back to about 1400 13 Ludshott Common owes its present state to the traditional use made of common land by local people to graze their cattle pigs sheep and ponies and to collect gorse heather wood and bracken for fuel and for animal bedding and winter fodder Such uses ceased around the beginning of the 20th century The land was acquired by the National Trust in 1908 in response to the growing pressure from housing development in Headley Down 14 During the Second World War in the 1940s Ludshott Common was used as a tank manoeuvres training ground and the heather was largely turned to mud The heather recovered and was managed from the 1970s onwards A camp named Superior Camp for Canadian troops one of several in the vicinity was built at the eastern corner of the common Evidence of the layout can be seen even though it was demolished in the 1950s 1960s Periodically fires would break out on the common In 1962 200 acres 0 81 km2 were burnt and in 1965 400 acres 1 6 km2 Further serious fires occurred in 1969 and 1976 the latter being the worst ever known in Hampshire spreading rapidly and burning 600 acres 2 4 km2 lasting eight days On 12 May 1980 600 of the 695 acres 2 81 km2 were burnt by a fire fanned by high winds Residents of roads in Headley Down which bordered the common were evacuated Firefighters brought the fire under control in just over seven hours at 19 55 Relief crews remained on site overnight controlling small outbreaks of fire and damping down with further relief crews taking over at 06 00 the following morning 15 Waggoners Wells edit nbsp Wishing well plaque commemorating composition of Flower in the Crannied Wall Waggoners Wells is set amongst woodland in a steep valley situated between Ludshott Common to the north west and Bramshott Common to the south east The original name of the series of ponds was Wakeners Wells They were created in the 17th century by the Hooke family of Bramshott 16 They were possibly originally intended as hammer ponds that is to serve the local iron industry but they appear never to have been so used 5 The woodland surrounding the ponds is notable for its mature beech trees Vehicular access is via Waggoners Wells Lane from Grayshott as far as the ford and a small car park beyond the lane originally continued south eastwards to Kingswood Lane and thence to the London to Portsmouth road A3 but today only a footpath through the woodland remains Catch and release fishing for carp roach tench perch and other species is a popular pursuit 17 as is nature rambling and birdwatching nbsp Summerden The stream that emerges from the pond furthest to the south west is called Cooper s Stream The house situated at the bottom of the ponds is Summerden and is a private residence of the National Trust warden of the area Near it is a wishing well mentioned by Flora Thompson in her writings of the locality and recorded by a National Trust plaque as being the place at which Alfred Lord Tennyson was inspired to compose his short poem Flower in the Crannied Wall The stream flowing from Waggoners Wells runs west to Standford around the west of Headley and eventually into the River Wey The stream powered many mills that worked ironworks including Headley Mill Paper mills were also run along the water that flowed from Waggoners Wells The gatefold photo of Fleetwood Mac s 1973 album Penguin was shot on location at Waggoners Wells 18 References edit Ordnance Survey Woodland Trust Ludshott Common and Waggoners Wells Retrieved 6 March 2023 National Trust Ludshott Commons Retrieved 2 Mar 2014 National Trust Ludshott Commons Retrieved 14 September 2021 a b National Trust South East Ludshott Common amp Waggoner s Wells Archived 2009 09 17 at the Wayback Machine National Trust Ludshott Reptiles Retrieved 11 Mar 2014 National Trust Ludshott Animals Retrieved 11 Mar 2014 Ludshott Common cathedral Retrieved 3 Mar 2014 National Trust Commons Link newsletter PDF Retrieved 3 Mar 2014 Headley History timeline Retrieved 14 September 2021 National Trust Ludshott Grazing Retrieved 11 Mar 2014 Open Domesday Ludshott Retrieved 16 October 2021 Ludshott Manor Court Rolls Retrieved 11 Mar 2014 Ludshott Common in the 20th century Retrieved 2 Mar 2014 The History of Grayshott Fire Station 1906 2007 Hampshire Fire amp Rescue 2007 Grayshott Village Archive History of Grayshott via Internet Archive Grayshott Angling Club Waggoners Wells Retrieved 3 Mar 2014 Details and photographs Dave Walker Q amp A Session October 2000 Archived from the original on 2016 10 31 Retrieved 2017 01 26 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ludshott Common Ludshott Common and Waggoner s Wells The National Trust Archived from the original on 2009 09 17 Grayshott Village Archive Friends of Ludshott and Passfield Commons The Ludshott Commons Committee part of The National Trust All Tanked Up BBC Peoples War Highlights and pictures of Waggoners Wells from Travblog Headley History timeline 51 6 12 N 0 46 10 45 W 51 10333 N 0 7695694 W 51 10333 0 7695694 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ludshott Common and Waggoners Wells amp oldid 1191876945, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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