Hamstead Marshall Park

A second visit to Hamstead Marshall Park, in the Kennet Valley to the west of Newbury.

Today we headed east by the ponds. Here's an oriental style bridge over the stream as it heads down to the Kennet.

I hadn't realised the fascinating history of the park:

The recorded history of Hamstead Park started in the 13th Century, when it was a deer park and owned by William, the Earl Marshal of England (c.1146 – 1219).  There was a medieval village, three motte and bailey castles, fishponds and a park “pale” that was a hedged mound and trench to keep the deer in. While deer parks were once very common throughout southern England, it is rare to find a surviving park which has escaped being used for agriculture and has surviving elements of the medieval landscape. At Hamstead park, the motte and bailey castles, the fishponds and nine surviving portions of the park pale can be seen today.