Viewpoints from your doorstep: 5. Wellesley Woodlands

Incredible as it may seem, this magnificent view had not been possible for decades – not until after the Aldershot Garrison and local volunteer groups began the clearance of trees and shrubs in 2004! The statue is, perhaps, the most visible reminder of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire’s rich military history. Click on the image for the full size version.

The statue depicts Arthur Wellesley, more widely known as the Duke of Wellington, sitting upon his horse, Copenhagen, at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Originally unveiled in 1846 at Hyde Park Corner in London, the statue was moved to Aldershot at the suggestion of the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) and unveiled at its present location atop Round Hill in 1885.

Visible from Round Hill is another military reminder, the Royal Garrison Church.

Constructed in the favourite style of the Victorians, Gothic Revival, it opened in 1863 and is a Grade II listed building.

My favourite feature at Wellesley Woodlands is a short walk from Round Hill: the Beech Trail. The fine beech trees, especially at Rushmoor Bottom, are evocative of the primaeval beech wildwoods that probably dominated the landscape here during the warm Atlantic Period about 6,000 years ago. This is my excuse to include a picture of beech wildwood from my favourite book, The Shell Natural History of Britain (1970).