Events

King Alfred's base at Athelney 878 - Walk

Sunday 15th September 2024

The legend of King Alfred and the cakes is well known. Less well known is the surviving evidence of Alfred's brilliant secret defensive arrangements in the Somerset levels – where he held out against Viking forces in 878 before decisively defeating them the following year.

Join Society for Army Historical Research chairman Ashley Truluck and Battlefield Trust Wessex Region chairman Chris Gravestock, to explore Alfred’s early warning post atop dramatic Barrow Mump; walk along the River Tone to his defensive refuge on the former Isle of Athelney; and across the causeway that formed his escape route to his reserve position in the former fortified ‘burgh’ of East Ling – where the famous King Alfred's broach was discovered.

Meet at 10:00 at the Barrow Mump national Trust carpark (GR 360305) just off the A361, at Burrowbridge (TA7 0RB) (What3Words -   https://w3w.co/remaining.again.smirking).  The car park is on the east side of Burrow Mump.

The walk is a gentle 4-5 mile ramble there & back, with the option of concluding with a pie & pint at the King Alfred pub close to the car park. For further information please contact Ashley Truluck using the contact details below.

For further information.

• Contact name : Ashley Truluck
• Contact email : atruluck@broadchalke.net
• Contact phone : 07771 804227