20의 버크셔가지 명소 & 주요 장소

Not a gravel riding track. Only suitable for mountain bikes due to the road conditions, big rocks, and large potholes. If you must ride a gravel bike here, do not cruise and always go slowly.

All cyclists are able to pass the toll bridge for free

Replacements and Legacy: The original gibbet from 1676 eventually deteriorated. The current gibbet is actually the seventh to stand on the site. Previous versions were replaced due to rotting, being struck by lightning, vandalism, or being blown down by strong winds. The current replica was erected in 1992. While the gibbet was only ever used for the display of George Bromham and Dorothy Newman, its grim history has made it a local landmark and a popular spot for walkers, hang-gliders, and paragliders, offering expansive views across Berkshire, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. The story of the murders even inspired a 1948 silent film called "The Black Legend," made by a young John Schlesinger.

The Gibbet's Purpose: After their execution, their bodies were brought back to Inkpen and prepared for public display. A large, double gibbet was hastily erected on the long barrow. The bodies of George and Dorothy, bound in chains, were then displayed on either side of the gibbet on March 6, 1676, as a stark and gruesome warning to the local community to deter similar crimes. The location was chosen due to its prominence and being on the border of the two parishes, as there was a dispute over which parish should bear the cost of the gibbet.

The Murders and Gibbeting: The Crime: George Bromham, a married farm labourer from Combe, and Dorothy Newman, a widow from Inkpen, were having an illicit affair. To be together, they murdered George's wife, Martha Bromham, and their son, Robert. Accounts vary, but it's believed they waylaid Martha and Robert and beat them to death with staves near where the gibbet now stands. One dramatic, though likely far-fetched, version suggests George killed his wife by thrusting her head into a hornet's nest. The Witness: The crime was reportedly witnessed by a villager known as "Mad Thomas," who alerted the authorities. Trial and Execution: George Bromham and Dorothy Newman were tried at Winchester Assizes. They were found guilty and hanged in Winchester on March 3, 1676.

Streatley Hill from Streatley is a short but savage climb, averaging 12% with ramps hitting 18%. The narrow residential road quickly heads up through trees, with smooth tarmac but little room to weave or recover. Hit it in your easiest gear from the start and stay seated to maintain traction on the steepest pitches. It’s over in less than half a kilometre, but every metre hurts. Nail this one, and you’ve ticked off one of Berkshire’s steepest ascents.

Wonderful views to the North along this stretch

long and slow but forgiving if you pace it well