ウィンタースローの天然記念物・トップ5

ブルフォードキウイは、イングランド、ウィルトシャー州、ソールズベリー平原の軍事都市ブルフォードの上にあるビーコンヒルに、チョークで刻まれたキウイの大きな姿です。これは、第一次世界大戦の終結後の送還を待っていたニュージーランド派遣軍の兵士たちによって1919年に作成されました。 これは、ウィルトシャー州にある数少ない丘の図形のうち、白馬でも軍のバッジでもないものです。

国立速度制限標識のすぐ後に急な部分が終わりますが、路面は依然として非常に良好です。

Strangely stumbled across this place as was driving to another location. So glad I turned off road and followed the sign to it.

The nature reserve was part of a group of Royal Forests until the 16th century when, unlike the New Forest, they declined and reverted to farmland and landscaped parks. The reserve's ancient woodlands have a long history of management and would have provided local people with a valuable source of timber, wood fuel, forage for pigs (known as pannage) and grazing for livestock. Coppicing was particularly important, and as you walk through the reserve look for old banks and ditches that mark the boundary of coppice enclosures. Coppicing is the method of cutting trees such as hazel or oak to ground level on a regular cycle. This produces fast-growing shoots for fodder, firewood and making charcoal.

Nice little hill, road surface pretty smooth which makes gradient seem less severe. Steep bit doesn't last long.

This place is steeped in history. Built 2500 years ago and occupied for nearly 500 years. With the ramparts still very visible. Some lovely views form the top.

This charming and little-known chalk hill carving was crafted by New Zealand soldiers in 1919, whilst waiting for transport to take them home after the First World War. For months they were trapped in Bulford Camp, which lies just below the kiwi's hill, as transport ships were unavailable. To alleviate the increasing unrest in the camp, the men's commanding officers set them about carving a giant kiwi into the chalk hillside, leaving their mark. The kiwi covers 1.5 acres (6,100 m sq) and is hard to see, as the military camp takes up much of the land below the hill. There is a good viewing point from the Bulford Droveway whilst you'll find an information board here, at the top of the kiwi's head.

If going downhill make sure you slow down and get on the brakes. If there's a horse rider or lorry round the blind bend at the bottom, you don't want to be flying. Going uphill, excessive speed ain't going to be an issue!