Wittenham Clumps, Twin wooded chalk hills in Thames Valley, England
Wittenham Clumps is a pair of wooded chalk hills standing prominently in Oxfordshire's flat landscape and creating a distinctive profile across the Thames Valley. The site features forests of mature beech trees covering both slopes and includes walking paths that circle the summits and connect the two peaks.
The hills have been inhabited since the Iron Age, with archaeological evidence showing circular settlements from around 400 to 100 BC followed by Roman occupation. The natural features attracted people across millennia who built structures and left traces that archaeologists have since uncovered.
The two hills have served as a landmark that shaped local identity and inspired artists over generations. Today visitors recognise them as natural markers that draw people to this part of the Thames Valley for their distinctive form.
The site is freely accessible with multiple walking routes of varying difficulty that lead to both summits and circle the hills. Visitors should keep dogs on leads due to grazing cattle and wear appropriate footwear for uneven terrain and steep sections.
The mature beech forests crowning both summits were planted in the 1700s and represent one of England's oldest hilltop beech plantations. This rare woodland combination makes the site special and sets it apart from other elevated areas in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
