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Box Bottom
Alan Payne April 2023 Running roughly parallel to the Devizes Road is a named valley called “Box Bottom", a splendid description of a low-lying area traditionally owned by Hazelbury Manor. Anyone who has walked the path knows how wet the land is with a spring constantly running even in the driest periods. This helps to keep the area’s deeply rural feel. The first reference to the name appears in relation to fox hunting down through the Box Bottom valley. In 1836 Mr Horlock’s hounds started from Lacock, where they chased a fox through Neston to Mr Fuller’s lodge-gate at Corsham.[1] A second fox was found at Pitts Wood and a third went away straight for Box Bottom. Some of the language used in the mid-1800s was remarkable in describing the fox as varmints and visitors to henroosts in Atworth.[2] In comparison the horsemen and hounds looked perfection and a pause in the chase not long enough to taste the Squire’s sherry. Pond at foot of Box Bottom (courtesy Carol Payne) |
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Whilst the area remained in private hands, it was up to the owner to decide what was an acceptable use of the valley and the hillside woods. In the 19th century, social inequality was reflected in the treatment of those who accessed the area. For working-class men, rural sports were deemed to be poaching and were prosecuted. One example was the two cock pheasants shot in Box Bottom woods by Box labourers in 1881, resulting in a criminal prosecution.[3] There were more pleasant uses as in 1889 when a group of 60 young people from the Neston Band of Hope had an excursion to Box Bottom and a tea in real gipsy fashion.[4]
Box Bottom and Hazelbury Manor seen bottom right in the 1885 Ordnance Survey map
Sheep Wash
The rural nature of the area is historic and has continued for centuries with remnants still visible today. A sheep wash exists at the foot of the area in Hazelbury Woods. The wash was constructed with two metal gates for shepherds to push down into the water which was fed from the nearby pond, seen in the headline photograph.[5]
The rural nature of the area is historic and has continued for centuries with remnants still visible today. A sheep wash exists at the foot of the area in Hazelbury Woods. The wash was constructed with two metal gates for shepherds to push down into the water which was fed from the nearby pond, seen in the headline photograph.[5]
Know Your Place 1844-1888 map
Avon Vale Hounds
The 1920s and 30s are full of reports of fox hunting through the Box Bottom valley. The hunt in February 1927 chased one fox the full length of the valley and then entered a quarry.[6] In December 1928 the newspaper reported that foxes would often seek the usual tip-heaps, implying that Box Bottoms was an untidy area with plenty of cover.[7] The reports of the 1929, 1930 and 1931 meets commented that the hounds drew a blank in the valley at Box Bottoms.[8] It seems incongruous that the wealth of some people should be flaunted in this way considering all the problems of unemployment, quarrying downturns and inadequate housing that affected most Box residents.
The 1920s and 30s are full of reports of fox hunting through the Box Bottom valley. The hunt in February 1927 chased one fox the full length of the valley and then entered a quarry.[6] In December 1928 the newspaper reported that foxes would often seek the usual tip-heaps, implying that Box Bottoms was an untidy area with plenty of cover.[7] The reports of the 1929, 1930 and 1931 meets commented that the hounds drew a blank in the valley at Box Bottoms.[8] It seems incongruous that the wealth of some people should be flaunted in this way considering all the problems of unemployment, quarrying downturns and inadequate housing that affected most Box residents.
Bluebells in Privetts Wood, Box Bottom (courtesy Carol Payne)
Box Bottoms Today
The whole nature of the valley was changed in 1841 when the Devizes turnpike road was built on the southern hillside of the vale. No longer was the valley a hidden rural retreat but was overlooked by carriages and pedestrians on the road. But unusually, the use of the area for fox hunting remained unchanged because of the ancient woodlands on both sides of the surrounding hills were preserved and remained largely intact. These woods are some of the most attractive in the whole parish and their preservation significant.
The use of the old name is declining but it is recalled in the modern house, Box Bottom House, at the foot of the valley. But the area is known to many local people for entirely different reasons. In winter the furthermost slopes of the valley side provide children with marvellous toboggan runs in snowy weather and in spring the wooded hillsides offer one of the best bluebells shows in Box.
The whole nature of the valley was changed in 1841 when the Devizes turnpike road was built on the southern hillside of the vale. No longer was the valley a hidden rural retreat but was overlooked by carriages and pedestrians on the road. But unusually, the use of the area for fox hunting remained unchanged because of the ancient woodlands on both sides of the surrounding hills were preserved and remained largely intact. These woods are some of the most attractive in the whole parish and their preservation significant.
The use of the old name is declining but it is recalled in the modern house, Box Bottom House, at the foot of the valley. But the area is known to many local people for entirely different reasons. In winter the furthermost slopes of the valley side provide children with marvellous toboggan runs in snowy weather and in spring the wooded hillsides offer one of the best bluebells shows in Box.
References
[1] Salisbury ad Winchester Journal, 5 December 1836
[2] Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 14 April 1864
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 22 October 1881
[4] The Wiltshire Times, 17 August 1889
[5] The dip was still in use in the 1950s, courtesy Anna Grayson
[6] The Wiltshire Times, 12 February 1927
[7] The Wiltshire Times, 1 December 1928
[8] The Wiltshire Times, 23 November 1929, 29 November 1930 and 12 December 1931
[1] Salisbury ad Winchester Journal, 5 December 1836
[2] Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 14 April 1864
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 22 October 1881
[4] The Wiltshire Times, 17 August 1889
[5] The dip was still in use in the 1950s, courtesy Anna Grayson
[6] The Wiltshire Times, 12 February 1927
[7] The Wiltshire Times, 1 December 1928
[8] The Wiltshire Times, 23 November 1929, 29 November 1930 and 12 December 1931