Knowlton Church & Earthworks | Where Christianity & Paganism Meet

[@alienbiker5036]

You have done more than justice to this site the early light and slight mist has given it a mystic glow well done nic

[@walkingthewyrd]

Phew! That's a relief! Thank you kindly 😊

[@trevorgough]

And the background music lends to subject as well.

[@janecapon2337]

I am happy that it is still a sacred place to the Wiccan community. Carries on the tradition of four thousand years of holiness.

[@williamsmith306]

Your newest video clearly shows how far you've come as a cinematographer and presenter. Your drone footage and talk of perspective made me think about how religions are kind of a perspective as well. The church ruins sitting atop an earlier sacred site speaks to how constructs are manmade, while the spirit is most importantly internal to each of us.

[@walkingthewyrd]

I really like how you've articulated that - the spirit is internal to each of us. Wonderful! Thank you.

[@mysticmimaw]

What a magical place!! Would love visit. So much energy there

[@MikePhilbin1966]

I'd never heard of Knowlton... and such great early-morning drone footage, you've come a long way.

[@jodimusicherself]

So many gorgeous shots in this video. Well done! Love this location. Thanks for taking us back there.❤

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you, Jodi. I'm glad you enjoyed the revisit! 😊

[@mikep3142]

I was there, many decades ago, on a beautiful autumnal day, much like the one you experienced. We, too, were captivated by the location, wildlife and history of the place. We witnessed a stoat kill a screaming rabbit, within the circle, whilst exploring the rings. An amazing day, still fresh in this old man's memory.

[@walkingthewyrd]

An unforgettable place for all who visit! Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@jannetteberends8730]

As a kid I played on a Neolithic burial mound, that later became the place for the gallows in the Middle Ages. It was beside the road into the city, and they let the bodies hang there as warning to the people not to commit crimes. And I never saw a ghost, or haunting. I’m Dutch, and it’s so disappointing that we don’t do haunting places. Would have been a perfect spot.

[@richardmorgan9273]

Knowlton rings is certainly a beautiful and mysterious place and your video captures the spiritual nature of the place. I visit about once a year and you'll pretty much have the place to yourself, even on a sunny Saturday!

[@walkingthewyrd]

Indeed, it's a bit of a hidden gem. Thank you for watching.

[@NewHeathen]

I didn't think you could top the merchicken Nic but you knocked it out of the park with this one. Lovely footage of an otherworldly location, so good 👍🏻

[@walkingthewyrd]

🤣🤣🤣 oh that merchicken will haunt me for the rest of my days 🤣 Glad you liked this one 😊

[@Nick-13]

Amazing place and odd that I have never heard about it, such a perfect setting !

[@chezadoodle]

what an amazing place!! and the drone shots were beautiful!! i can imagine this place was picturesk back in the day. lovely video

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you Cheza! It's my favourite place 💚

[@Just-cheza]

​@@walkingthewyrdI can see why!! 👀 it's beautiful ❤

[@katep23]

Absolutely beautiful and evocative. The first one was good, but this is a whole new level! Well done. And thank you!

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you, Kate! I love this place, and I'm glad I got up for that sunrise. I did nearly roll back over when my alarm went off early on a Saturday 😄

[@SonsofThunder1234]

Visited this place at night. Spectacular with the stars overhead and the haunted element. Loved the little tree on which people leave gifts. (Ribbons, baubles etc;) I believe it's a wishing tree. Make a wish and leave a gift.

[@sarahhobbs6314]

Such a special place 😊. Amazing filming Nic ❤️

[@1972andyb]

Lovely vid Nic. I need to get there as I’m so close and have family even closer. Had quite a busy summer, so not much hiking or wild camping done unfortunately.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Hi Andy! It's such a special place and I hope you get there as soon as possible.

[@darkvaleinv]

Beautiful video Nic, nice work. Such a stunning place & the best time of day to it, crisp, misty & early sun with no bugga about. Awesome ghosts too

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks Tim! Hope you're keeping well. 🙂

[@darkvaleinv]

@@walkingthewyrd always doing well. Same to you & the family 🤜🤛

[@buzsalmon]

I had just started to say Magical and then you did! It really is such a place. I don't know why people hang socks or anything from trees. If they told me I still wouldn't. Nic,great job with your latest video here. Thank you Nic! Take care and be well.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you, much appreciated 😊

[@miked.5287]

Really well done nic..your vids just keep getting better..I really enjoyed this one..thanks! 😁👍

[@walkingthewyrd]

Aww thanks, Mike! I'm pleased you enjoyed it 😊

[@badnervesbrown]

Really good: beautifully filmed, edited, narrated... Thank you so much! 🙂

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you for watching! 😊

[@jovice9867]

Hi Nic and thank you for your beautiful vlog. It looked a stunning location to watch the sun rise. I watched your original vlog recently. Just shows how far your channel has come. Still, you have got to start somewhere, and us subscribers are glad you did start as it's a great channel. 😊

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks so much for your kind words! I really do appreciate it 😊

[@AdamLambourn]

Another Great video, with some stunning shots of the scenery! Keep up the great work Nic! 🙂

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you, Adam! 😊

[@davidn3394]

Beautifully filmed what an amazing video so glad I found your channel.

[@jipster2020]

Wow, this brings back some memories. I've lived in the USA for the last 10 years, but when I was a kid we lived in Verwood, and I went to Cranborne Middle school, just round the corner. I definitely miss the beauty of Dorset. You've captured that beauty perfectly ! There's a few other very interesting places very close to Knowlton. One being what we used to call Horton Folly, but from Google maps it looks like it's now called "The Philosopher's Tower" - just some wonderful, but strange small building in the middle of a field. Another is in a small wooded area just slightly NE of Cranborne Middle School. In the middle of that area was a small hill fort called Burwood - at least that's what we were told by a teacher who took us all for a walk up there many years ago.

[@walkingthewyrd]

I'm glad it brought back some fond memories! A lovely part of Dorset to grow up in! I'm aware of The Philosophers Tower but haven't investigated yet. Not heard of Burwood, though, so I will take a look! Thank you! 🙂

[@craigmarsh3221]

Good morning I am new to your channel very enjoyable and interesting I have been to Knowlton church i got there at 4.30in the morning in the dark with my dogs lovely and peaceful its a wonderful place to visit.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Welcome to my channel! I think it's even more magical in those early hours of the day! Thank you.

[@slimpixie2404]

I vividly remember finding glow worms there one night time visit. That added another special layer to the place.

[@morganmarty]

What a great video, well done, lots of background info too, what a great spot, thank you for sharing

[@_the_wessex_nomad_]

Stellar improvement with the production quality! That was a very easy, smooth as well as a very enjoyable watch. I went to Knowlton Henge back in 2019, and there definitely is a special energy to the place. I was particularly curious as to where the materials for the church could have come from. Think I'm due a revisit!

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you! 😊 There are theories that there may have been standing stones at this or one of the other nearby earthworks after a team of local dowsers uncovered two sarsen stones. These stones might have provided the material for the church. ✨️

[@leftpastsaturn67]

In the opening drone shot you can also see the remains of another circular enclosure wrapping itself around the farmhouse across the road. It's been bisected by the main road & almost completely plowed out in the adjacent field. Going back with better equipment certainly did pay off, beautiful footage.

[@walkingthewyrd]

I think that circle is called the south circle and is the biggest from what I recall. I wonder if those living in the farmhouse have witnessed any strange phenomena! Thank you for watching. 😊

[@DaveFord]

Another super video Nic. It is such an atmospheric place for sure & you captured it beautifully.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks Dave! Much appreciated 🙂

[@barrywalser2384]

Absolutely super! This video was stunning. Also liked that Fleetwood Mac top. 💯 Thank You Nic!

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you so much, Barry!

[@lambrettascooter]

Hello Nic . Another great vid . The drone shots are brilliant, shows the true landscape. Another place I visit regularly, but I’d never heard about a bit of the church being at Woodlands, thanks for info . My claim to fame there is having a pic of the sunset I took being used in the Bournemouth Echo! Don’t know if you remember Jack Hargreaves , but he did some great TV work in and around Dorset and New Forest. You can still see lots on KZbin. He did one from there , and explained a lot of things. And when he left the site , he turned right , away from main road , walked down the lane half a mile , and on the left was a field were a village would have been up to the time of the Black Death , which the church would have served . Think you can see signs of it from google satellite. Take care Alan

[@walkingthewyrd]

Hi Alan! It's a wonderful location, so very special. I'm aware of Jack Hargreaves' interesting work. I think he inspired Dave Ford somewhat. I first heard about the plague village near Knowlton from Paul Whitewick's KZbin channel. He made a video on Dorset's Lost Villages, which featured Knowlton, it was really interesting! Thanks for watching.

[@hughbean6785]

Thanks Nic enjoyed it it is a beautiful place in early sun with the dew glistening

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you, Hugh! 😊

[@Trooperdog]

Thank you for doing such a great video on The Knowlton Earthworks! I hope to make it to the UK at some point to explore this amazing site I am privileged enough to share my sur name with!

[@walkingthewyrd]

Most welcome!

[@simonbartlett5]

Lovely vid of knowlton. I’m local to there and have been there many times but did you know, the biggest earthworks intersects the main road. It’s much bigger and has been ploughed flat. The only bit of bank left is within the farm grounds.there is a LiDAR picture that shows this and an airiel photo with snow on the ground.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Yes, that's right, it's called the Southern Circle. It's a shame the other three earthworks have been lost to the plough. The landscape must have looked magnificent in it's day I would imagine.

[@elainewalker4740]

Very interesting. Thank you. God bless those early Christians for building that church xx

[@becky-not-thomas]

We spent the summer solstice night here once, waiting for the sunrise. We weren't disappointed with the sunrise coming up betweem the ancient yew trees. No haunting noticed though.

[@marccarter1350]

Its a really nice touring bike ride from Salisbury. Going to visit next year now.

[@simbachuggz]

The new equipment paid off. Beautiful job😊.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you! 😊

[@david_v2.1]

Such a beautiful location Nic!!...spectacular drone shots, the early morning sun and shadows really enhance the definition of the earthworks...it really is the best time of day for filming when the world is asleep and silent...can't wait to see the video where you're locked in a historic haunted pub alone at 2am though👻😱

[@walkingthewyrd]

I'd actually be OK with that, I've done a few lock-ins back in the day! 😄 Quite agree about that morning light, it's delightful! Thanks David!

[@naomiseraphina9718]

Thank you for sharing that magnificent place with all of us! It surprises me not at all to hear that there are still many ghostly goings on about that place. Our ancestors were very aware of the character of the landscape on which they lived, and were wont to commemorate and to mark the places where our world-plane intersects with the planes of other worlds. I think that this was practical, as in useful, rather than a deed of empty "ceremony". When archaeologists deem the purpose of a structure to be "ceremonial" I think that people often assume a superstitious people who wasted their time venerating imaginary deities in random places, but I don't agree with that attitude toward the ancestors at all. Our ancestors were practical people, and everything they did had real purpose. The energy that went into constructing huge earthworks was not to be squandered on pointless expressions of superstition. It is my belief that such places had real utility to our ancestors, and that they truly knew the hidden means of accessing those other worlds long ago. I think that our ancestors met with beings from other worlds, perhaps ventured with them into their domains, and shared information with them. Perhaps they traded with them. Perhaps they even traded people? Nowadays the secrets to opening the gateways between the worlds at will have largely been forgotten, but the gateways are still there, written in the landscape for all to see. It is no wonder at all that so many phantasmal beings are seen in the neighborhood of such a crossroads. Lovely stuff altogether. Thanks again. Please pardon the rambling. --Naomi

[@walkingthewyrd]

I absolutely loved reading this! Very thought-provoking! This place definitely feels like old magic is still there, and I will never tire of sitting in its energy. Thank you for watching and leaving such an interesting comment. 🙂

[@Dead-Cold]

Love this Nic, beautiful shots of the church and surroundings, you caught the morning just right, i did this with a few of my earlier vids...went back after i got some better equipment. Fantastic job Nic but you should have added in the clicking and creaking noise from the original one 🤣 only kidding love.

[@walkingthewyrd]

🤣🤣🤣 ha ha! Thank you, Mark!

[@Traveler13]

Nice video this is on my to do list one day when i get back on the road, enjoyed it loads

[@walkingthewyrd]

I hope you get to see it soon - it's such an otherworldly place! Thank you for watching 😊

[@poeticsoliloquy-i5s]

What a delightful presentation, loved your editing and your delivery🤗 From a new subscriber from the west country🤗

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you, and welcome to the channel! 😊

[@poeticsoliloquy-i5s]

@@walkingthewyrd 👍

[@Darren-r8m]

Yep enjoyed that spot on. Thank you.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks so much - great to hear!

[@seanmccann8368]

Overlaying one culture/religion/heritage with another one to enforce change or supercession is very common. The long survival of Irish Celtic Paganism alongside Christianity through public veneration of Holy Wells, Sacred Trees, Stones, etc. is an example of this. People leaving rags, coins, holy medals, etc would be very common in Ireland at sacred sites.

[@tower_studios_dave]

Wow. I don't know why I have never heard of this place. Outside of Glastonbury Tor, the most blatant example of the boot of Christianity stamping out any other beliefs. Beautiful photography too. Thank you. You have a new subscriber

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you very much for subscribing! ✨️

[@tower_studios_dave]

@@walkingthewyrd You are very welcome

[@YorkyOne]

​​​@@tower_studios_dave You seem to believe that the Knowlton Circles were still being used as some kind of pagan centre at the time of the building of the church in the 12th century. But by that time England had been Christian for 300 years and the Circles were 3000 years old. Would the Normans really have any idea of what the circles signified? We don't! Wherever possible churches were built in a prominent position within the parish - and being prominent such locations have history. Isn't Knowlton just another example of that? And as for the above then so for Glastonbury Tor.

[@walkingthewyrd]

I really don't know is my answer. I'm not an academic or historian, as it says in my channel description. As a local to Knowlton, it was always known as the place 'where the Christians took over a pagan site.' Is it possible that not everyone conceded to the Christian faith? Could there have been druids and pagans who still used the site for sacred practice? It's interesting that at both Knowlton and Glastonbury Tor that there are no Christian burials - no graveyard, just the church. The Tor is certainly a prominent location for a church, but practical, maybe not so much. Thanks for your interesting comment.

[@YorkyOne]

@@walkingthewyrd The Druids had been destroyed by the Romans 1000 years earlier - and there's no evidence they ever used henges for their ceremonies. And even if there were a few pagans remaining after 300 years of Christianity would this huge 3000 year old site have any religious significance to them? And 500 years after the Anglo-Saxons invasions these hypothetical pagans would be worshipping Germanic gods - nothing linked to the Circles.

[@noggindoo]

Nice I shall visit as I live nearby and cant recollect when or if I have been there before.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Definitely worth a visit.

[@MrPaulstride]

wonderful, much love.

[@theuktoday4233]

You made a good job of this video, I must go there again.

[@tombra7]

Knowlton is aligned with many important objects, there is a list - 1 St. Anne Parish Church - Alderney Island 2 Deans Court - Wimborne 3 East Dorset District Council octagonal building - Furzehill 4 Gaunts House 5 KNOWLTON CHURCH 6 All Saints Ch. - Marden 7 SILBURY HILL 8 Avebury - Red Lion 9 Batsford House 10 Norton Curlieu House 11 Berkswell C of E Primary School 12 St. Peter`s Ch. - Netherseal 13 Bretby Hall 14 Chase Cliffe House 15 Crich Memorial 16 Meadowhall Shopping Centre octagonal structure 17 Ceasar Camp - Rotherham 18 Temple Hill - Wentworth 19 Lotherton Chapel

[@DesAlner]

Thanks really interesting ....well done X

[@jeffricks2640]

i really enjoyed this....thank you

[@walkingthewyrd]

So glad! Thank you!

[@yvonneb2327]

Beautiful video , Thank You , does anyone know what Ley line this is on ?

[@walkingthewyrd]

Hi there. I can't find any specific named ley lines, but I've just looked through the book Ancient Stones of Dorset by Peter Knight and he says "Leys radiate from Knowlton like the spokes of a wheel, too numerous for all to be included here." Sadly, there are no names, but he does say there are many.

[@stephenhowlett6345]

Could have carried on with that for another hour it was so good.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Aww thank you, much appreciated! 😊

[@PandCparanormal]

Awesome video Nic. Beautiful place. 🥰

[@walkingthewyrd]

It's the place that DPI and I have had no luck investigating at night because of all the other people there 🤣

[@JulieN01-01]

Its stunning, beyond words. Why socks? That looks terrible. It would be a dream to go there. Thank you for sharing

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks for watching, Julie! ❤️

[@Roy-gi5ul]

Any personal item is traditionally left as a votive offering to whichever deity is being honoured by the giver. Some items may seem inappropriate, but provided they are sincerely meant, they are perfectly valid. As a Pagan, I have really enjoyed this intro.

[@jameswalksinhistory3848]

Totally enjoyed this - Thank you

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks, James!

[@williamwelch7]

Thanks again for a very lovely video. I don't get to see that king of history in Texas. Must be a lot of work to keep it so nicely manicured.

[@walkingthewyrd]

You're most welcome, William! 😊

[@arquitecturaconstruccioncv2347]

Beatiful video!! Amazing photos.Great job Nic.Thanks for research the wyrd ever.I'm follow from México

[@walkingthewyrd]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! 😊

[@martinwood9014]

Very good

[@blandfordforum2030]

The red-coloured stone in the fabric of the church is not local. It had to have been imported into the region prior to, or as the 12th century church was constructed. Does anyone know where the stone came from?

[@carolescutt2257]

How strange to hear church belks thst early in the,. Morning or it seems strange to my limited knowledge 😊 do You think they were ethereal 😮😮 wonderful upload thank you ❤

[@walkingthewyrd]

I guess it was about 8am by the time I was filming at the yew trees, so I think the bells were sadly real 😄

[@davidhaith1725]

Beautifully shot but one correction - it's the River Allen close by, not the Stour

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you! Just corrected that!

[@SrSpookfest]

So cool

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks SrSpookfest 🤟🏻

[@paulmagus2133]

I love that people leave a tolken on trees to connect to the land but leaving plastic nylon ribbons are a contradiction to the respect to a spiritual place, only leave biodegradable objects people.

[@freemanjackmsiradio]

Those round arches are pre-norman, 'romanesque' to be precise, a lot of 'norman' churches if you look closely, have remodelled romanesque arches, I even know a derelict abbey with norman arches on the ground floor and romanesque ones in the higher vaults above where the ceiling rafters would have been.

[@YorkyOne]

'Romanesque' architecture and 'Norman' architecture are one and the same.

[@wattyler6075]

Well I've driven past Knowlton church twice a day for around 20yrs when I was working & have never seen anything.

[@YorkyOne]

You clearly don't have a vivid imagination.

[@terencewise7349]

From Terence Wise in UK……Unfortunately while the earthwork remains,the church is in ruins.The UK is the heart of darkness in Old Harry’s World.

[@asherfryer6097]

I live half n hour from Cranborne and never knew this existed 😅

[@walkingthewyrd]

It's a bit of a hidden gem! No sign posts or anything to tell you it's there 😄

[@iainmelville9411]

❤,❤,❤.😊

[@walkingthewyrd]

💚

[@shaunxthexmod777]

could the Flint stone used in its contrition, have had a more spiritual meaning, or just a cheaper building material,

[@walkingthewyrd]

Possibly! I don't know much about Flint, but Google says it's a protective stone used to ward off negative energies! Interesting.

[@richardmorgan9273]

I think the answer is rather more practical - where the underlying rock is chalk there are usually layers of flint which is the only local hard stone for building. Flint churches are quite common in Surrey, Sussex and Kent where there's a lot of chalk. Knowlton rings is still a beautiful and intriguing spot!

[@majordendrocopos]

4.08 I thought that I had been hearing ghosts, what a relief to be told that they were only goats! I must get my hearing tested….

[@alistairriggs5911]

flew kites there when i was kid

[@pompousdonkey]

First xD

[@walkingthewyrd]

Gold star for you! 🌟 (Thanks for watching!)