Glyn Coy : Hidden Secrets of the Deverill Valley
Glyn Coy : Hidden Secrets of the Deverill Valley

5pm Sunday 20 September 2026

The Deverill Valley in south-west Wiltshire is a landscape rich in history, much of it hidden in plain sight. In this talk, Glyn Coy explores some of the remarkable archaeology, stories and historic sites found along the valley and the surrounding chalk downs.

From prehistoric burial mounds and ancient trackways to evidence of significant Roman activity, including villas, settlements and sacred sites, the valley contains traces of thousands of years of human occupation. It may also have played a part in one of the defining moments of Anglo-Saxon history, as King Alfred gathered his forces and marched to confront Guthrum’s Viking army at the Battle of Ethandun in May 878.

Drawing on field exploration, photography and research undertaken for Hidden Wiltshire, Glyn will show how learning to read the landscape can reveal a much deeper story than is immediately apparent.

Glyn Coy is a Wiltshire-based writer, photographer and local historian, and the creator of Hidden Wiltshire, a project exploring the lesser-known history, archaeology and landscapes of the county. He is the author of Hidden Wiltshire and a regular speaker to local history societies, museums and libraries across Wiltshire. Glyn is also the recently appointed Chair of the Battle of Ethandun Memorial Trust.

Through his writing, photography, podcasting and guided walks, Glyn has spent many years exploring the county on foot, with a particular interest in discovering the traces left in the landscape by the people who have lived there over thousands of years.




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Bratton History Association.

The Bratton History Association aims to provide all those curious about local history with an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and discover more about the history of Bratton and Wiltshire. Activities include monthly meetings, talks by professional historians, visits to places of interest to historians, and our own local history project.

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