Open Country Savernake Forest
Mar 2, 2026
Emma Heard, chronicler of Weird Wiltshire, shares spine-tingling hauntings from Savernake Forest. Nikki Morgans, a forester, discusses techniques like haloing and veteranization to protect ancient trees. Andy Harris, an ecologist, talks about pond and bird surveys and monitoring wildlife. Graham Bathe, local historian, traces the forest’s royal past and measures its thousand-year oaks.
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Measuring The King Of Limbs
- Graham Bathe and Martha Kearney measured the King of Limbs by wrapping a tape and found an 11 metre circumference.
- Graham used the circumference-to-age rule to estimate roughly 900 years, linking the tree to Savernake's first recorded mention in 1130.
Open Grown Veterans Shaped By Grazing
- Savernake's veteran oaks grew in open conditions maintained by grazing and deer rather than closed-canopy woodland.
- Graham says historical grazing (thousands of sheep and hundreds of cattle) shaped the trees' wide, spreading forms observed today.
Seymour Tomb Reveals Hunting Heritage
- Graham Bathe showed Martha the Seymour tomb at Great Bedwyn and explained the wardenship link to Wolf Hall.
- The Seymour shield motif on the tomb (gold wings) reflects their falconry and hereditary role as Savernake wardens.
