The Iron Age Roundhouse at Woodview Farm

Earlier in the year, in anticipation of our move to Nottinghamshire, I signed up to a local club called “The Nottingham City & Country Explorers Group” as it seemed many of their activities included many things I am interested in such as history, archaeology, heritage, architecture, exploring, adventure, art etc. So when an opportunity came up to attend an “Iron Age Roundhouse Open Day” I jumped at it!

I’ve decided to live without a car for as long as I can, as with the good transportation system on my door step, running a car would be considered a luxury and not a necessity. My theory being also that I’ll also give more thought to where I travel to and I’ll have to walk more too and therefore facilitate weight-loss. So travelling to the open day in a neighbouring village, consisted of a bus ride and then a half mile walk to Woodview Farm in Calverton.

The owner spent literally hours telling us about everything and answering our questions- amazing!

The Iron Age Roundhouse at Woodview Farm was amazing! I had never been up close and personal with a roundhouse before and the owner, Grahame, was extremely knowledgeable and full of details about every aspect of how he built his interpretation of a 2000 BC roundhouse. Many would say that this is probably the most authentic replica of a roundhouse in Great Britain and as we all sat inside on benches, all our billions of questions were answered.

The Romano British House under construction

Not only was I lucky enough to see, touch and smell the roundhouse but see a Romano British House under construction (dating about 2000 years later). The simplicity but robustness of each structure was beautiful and amazing. Wattle and Daub (essentially a wooden interwoven frame work smothered in a dung/dirt/horse hair/stones and small debris mix) was a very effective way of building and I was surprised to find the walls so strong and hard. When I see today’s eco-friendly structures I feel that many are very similar to these ancient structures, low-impact housing. I can’t help but feel they got it right…

Heavy stones for milling grains

Not only did we enjoy the houses but there was also bronze smelting, milling of grain and jewelery making. Coupled with the glorious hot sunshine and being out in a lovely meadow and out in the countryside for the first time in a few weeks, I had a wonderful time and felt happy being able to be enthusiastic about the Iron Age Roundhouse and the Open Day with fellow visitors.

I know this is not 1940’s but I kind of felt like I had stepped back in time and it was good…..

C xxxx

PS: I was so taken with this place and through research couldn’t find much info on whether it was open to the public at any other time except open days, I feel it needs a little informational website. If anyone knows the owners and reads this, please let them know that I would LOVE to put a little website together for them to raise awareness of it for free… PAY IT Forward

Bronze Smelting