Chelsham, Surrey - Medieval sites at Henley Wood & Holt Wood

My June country walk takes us to two large earthworks/enclosures dating back to medieval times. It was a beautiful day for filming and is quite wonderful countryside.
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Links referred to in this video:
OS Maps: explore.osmaps.com/route/2178...
Historic England Listing for Henley Wood: historicengland.org.uk/listin...
Historic England Listing for Holt Wood:
historicengland.org.uk/listin...
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#chelsham
#henleywood
#holtwood
#medieval

[@peterclark9677]

Great information and a lovely day. Everything is playing catch up after a wet and cold spring

[@iangodden662]

Very interesting

[@astrostrotch]

Thanks for the history Phil. This brings back memories, we used to cycle from Selsdon to the White bear keeping off road as much as possible. We used to enter Holt wood through the bridleway entrance on Church lane, and immediately on the right was a strange building with an eerie presence, we never knew what it was! At the end of the bridleway we turned right on to Farleigh court road and left onto another bridleway, down into the valley and up a killer climb to Fickleshole to get our just rewards at the pub😊. Keep up the good work.

[@philswallow]

Thanks mate, we have a lot of important history and beauty in this area, it’s great to get out and document it!

[@peterclark9677]

There used to be a forest commission area around there somewhere, it used to cut to back of Warlingham park hospital

[@philswallow]

Maybe that was the Country Park - I remember visiting there for sure. But I don’t think it was there for a long time

[@fluffybadger9832]

Another great walk Phil. Don't think I've walked Henley Wood. I recall going to a paint balling place back in the early 80s, I think it was in or near Holt Wood., At that time the hospital was still open & it was visible from the battlefield 😊. I'm sure seeing loads of blokes running & shouting in camo firing paintball guns was great therapy for the inmates! Also bought a car from a chap that lived in one of the Holt wood cottages, late 70s. A Humber Sceptre.
The vegetation is high everywhere around Farleigh & Chelsham, can't really carry a machete or jungle knife. though. Do sometimes take a pair of pruners.

[@philswallow]

Thanks mate. I’m sure there was also a “Holt Wood Country Park” in the early 80s, but it didn’t seem to last long. The land around there is great and even better that it’s steeped in history.

[@guyj3025]

I think holt wood was one of the very first paintball sites in the UK, it was under the brand name Skirmish if I recall correctly.

[@fluffybadger9832]

@@guyj3025 Yes Skirmish does ring a bell. It was the one & only time I did any paintballing. I do recall we only had repeating pistols & just eyeshields for face protection. One of our chaps got a pellet right on his nose which split it open. Our opponents were a bunch of security guards from Grants department store. They took it all rather more seriously than we did. All fully kiitted up in camo gear & scrim, us in jeans & trainers. Wasn't my cup of tea really.

[@philswallow]

@fluffybadger9832 you’ve painted a picture in my mind about that setup! 😁

[@andymcgarty3099]

Looks like a roe Buck to me, nice mature head. Lots of them around that patch. Although I grew up in the area I rarely ventured into the woods as was normally on my bike!
Have you contacted Surrey CC to get them to clear the footpaths, especially the two fallen trees? Someone will be responsible for maintaining them, you can report them on the Surrey CC website.

[@philswallow]

Good point Andy, I will do that, I’ve done it before on some others, cheers mate

[@stevetrees4272]

Its a green woodpecker Phil...

[@philswallow]

Oh wow, thanks Steve. The ones I see on my lawn are very quiet! 😁