Events

Walk - King Alfred and the cakes - Athelney 678

Sunday 5 July 2026

The legend of King Alfred and the cakes is well known. Less well known is the surviving evidence of Arthur’s secret hideout in the Somerset levels – which he prepared brilliantly for defence and used as a base for guerilla operations against the Vikings over the winter of 877/8 before decisively defeating them at Ethandun (modern-day Edington) the following spring.

Join Society for Army Historical Research chairman Ashley Truluck (who led the popular Edington walk last year) as we explore Alfred’s early warning post atop dramatic Barrow Mump; walk along the pretty River Tone to his defensive position on the former Isle of Athelney; and across the causeway that formed his escape route to his reserve position in the fortified ‘burgh’ of East Ling – where the famous King Arthur’s Broach was discovered.

Meet: 10.00 am at Barrow Mump NT carpark (GR 360305) in Burrowbridge – 10 miles SW of Glastonbury.  (What3Words -   https://w3w.co/remaining.again.smirking). 

The walk is a gentle 5 mile ramble there & back, with the option of concluding with refreshments at the aptly-named King Alfred pub at the end of the walk.  

For further information, please contact Ashley Truluck using the details below. Ashley would be grateful if you could let him know if you plan to attend the walk. 

For further information.

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