Grovely Wood, Wiltshire

Description
Grovely Wood or Grovely, a small parish in Wilts, 3 miles from Wilton station on the G.W.R. and L. & S.W.R. Acreage, 1469; population, 60. It is a main part of an ancient forest, which was one of the largest in Wilts, which continued to be a forest so late as the time of Elizabeth, and which contained a number of ancient earthworks. "The circuit of this wood," says Sir R. C. Hoare, " is an iter rich in food for the antiquary, and interesting to every eye that is not totally indifferent to the many varied and beautiful views which it continually affords." Grovely Works, opposite Wish-ford, are remains of an ancient British town, about a mile in length, and occupying 60 acres. Grovely Castle, S of Little Langford, is an earthwork of single ditch and rampart, but seemingly of not very high antiquity. East Castle, Hanging Langford, Belbury Bing, and Hamshill Ditches, also are ancient earthworks, various in character and in age, within the limits of the ancient forest. A small chapel was erected in 1867 by the Earl of Pembroke, the rector of Little Langford being chaplain. The Earl of Pembroke is "Royal Banger " of Grovely Wood.