Blick Mead

Blick Mead is a chalkland spring beside the River Avon near Amesbury in Wiltshire. It lies just over a mile east of Stonehenge and close to an Iron Age hillfort called Vespasian’s Camp. Archaeologists have found signs of continuous human settlement from 10,000 years ago until about 6,000 years ago. Excavations since 2005 have uncovered 70,000 worked flints and 2,400 animal bones, many of them cooked remains of aurochs. A tree-throw pit dwelling has also been identified among the finds. The spring never freezes, its water staying near 11 °C all year. A single Mesolithic dog tooth suggests people may have travelled long distances to reach the site. Bright red stones appear when removed from the water, caused by a rare algae called Hildenbrandia. In Mesolithic times this colour change could have given the place a magical or spiritual meaning. Its proximity to Stonehenge has led some to argue it drew early visitors to the area. Visitors today walk past the spring towards the hillfort and Stonehenge. The red-stained stones lie where they fell after being lifted from the water. The site’s long history and changing colours remain visible in the landscape. The constant temperature of the spring can still be felt on the hand. The combination of ancient finds and natural features offers a quiet place to reflect on the deep past.