マーチャムの天然記念物・トップ5

In 2012, Lisa Kuppler (Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung) paid tribute to the writer J.R.R. TOLKIEN (1892 to 1973), who invented a fictional world called Middle Earth inhabited by 'hobbits', with the words: "It is this complex creation of an entire world that makes 'The Lord of the Rings' the original text of the fantasy genre." Two decades earlier - on the occasion of his 100th birthday - a bench and two trees were dedicated to him here, in Oxford's university park. Tolkien's most popular work to date includes the volumes: "The Fellowship of the Ring" (Volume 1); "The Two Towers" (Volume 2); "The Return of the King" (Volume 3). Many people may not have read his books, but they know the film version of this great myth.

The rugged yew tree is a survivor, having been badly damaged in several recent arson attacks. The yew likely predates the All Saints church built in the 12th century. There is evidence of Roman and Saxon settlement in this area, and so it is likely a wooden church once existed on the present site. Baxter wrote about the yew in his 1992 book 'The Eternal Yew' and called it 'a survivor whatever the circumstances - a typical eternal yew'.

In 1992, to commemorate the centenary of Tolkien’s birth, the Tolkien Society and the Mythopoeic Society organised held a special collection for the installation of a memorial bench and planting of two trees in University Parks. The trees represent Laurelin (a false acacia) and Telperion (a silver maple) from The Silmarillion.

Neolithic stone circle from around 2900-2600BC - a remarkable site to visit.

Neolithic stone circle from around 2900-2600BC - a remarkable site to visit. You can learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npAxEvruu9M

Jarn's Mound and Wild Garden was constructed by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851-1941) who is best known for his excavation and reconstruction of the Bronze Age palace of Knossos on Crete. He lived on Boars Hill from 1894 until his death and was passionate about protecting the area and maintaining its beauty for others to enjoy. He constructed an artificial mound which is 15 metres high to bring out the magnificent views over to the city of Oxford in one direction, and the Vale of the White Horse in the other.

The Devil's Quoits is a reconstructed stone circle henge, originally dating from the late Neolithic period, probably around 2900-2600BC. The large site with a 115m diameter earth bank, internal 2m deep ditch and 75m diameter stone circle is likely to have been of great significance and will have been visible from the Ridgeway, Britain's oldest road. The stone circle consisted of 28 conglomerate stones, with one additional stone standing slightly offset to the south. It is a truly remarkable site; transporting you back to a time where people travelled along the Windrush Valley from its headwaters to its confluence with the Thames at Devil's Quoits and further downstream to the Big Rings at Dorchester on the Thames. Many hundreds of people would have gathered within the site, observing from the banks and participating in rituals in the centre.

This beautiful Blossom tree can be found in the middle of Bagley Woods, an excellent stop off on your walk or ride.