Amesbury Town Council

The Nile Clumps

Although the Nile Clumps all sit in fields and are largely inaccessible, they are easily viewed from the bridleways and roads west of Amesbury. In fact, a bit of distance is the best way to see them, so that their spread across the rolling downland can be appreciated.

Start by walking out of Amesbury along the A345, toward Countess Roundabout on the A303. Use the underpass on the east side of the roundabout and head up Countess road until you come to old railway crossing, where tracks head of off both sides of the road at the top of the hill. Cross the A345 and head onto the track. As you pass the houses on the left, the first clump comes into view near the power pylon. This is Heureux, a French ship that was captured in the battle. Turn left at the path junction, heading uphill toward the small copse Half Moon Wood (not believed to be part of the clumps). When you come out on the other side of the copse, far more of the clumps are visible. Nearest is the recently replanted HMS Majestic. This was one of the few British casualties in the battle – although the ship survived, her Captain was killed. Keep walking along the path until you reach the new interpretation board designed by National Trust volunteers Richard Whitney and Stephen Fisher. The board provides a plan of the clumps layout and an account of the battle. Continue along the path and right at the bend, and take a left at the junction. From here the track provides some impressive views of the beech trees as you head toward ‘ Barrows'. The trees on and behind these barrows may have been planted to represent Aboukir Peninsular – the land that the British fleet manoeuvred close to in order to get behind the French fleet. When you get to the end of the track, cross the A303 carefully, watching out for fast accelerating vehicles trying to get ahead of slow moving vehicles at the end of the dual carriageway. Once over, head left along the pavement and down Stonehenge Road. From a gateway on the left it is possible to see the beeches of HMS Alexander, which sank 3 French ships during the battle. Head toward Vespasian’s Camp and back into Amesbury along Stonehenge Road.

Information supplied by Stephen Fisher.