MRP: Barham Downs

Barham Downs

Barham Downs featured in the lives of the Oxindens of both Deane and Barham. A number of letters printed by D.K. Gardiner or available in manuscript at the British Library make reference to the Downs.

The landscape of the Downs has changed significantly since the early part of the seventeenth century, as intensive agriculture has encroached on the chalk grasslands.

Yet in the early nineteenth century Barham Downs were still described as a rather desolate feature of the landscape:

The ride over Barham Downs, except in the finest weather, is black and dreary. This tract, however, forms a good race-course, and is a fine open space for the review of troops. The races take place here annually, in the month of August, and there is also a spring meetîng on Easter Tuesday. Both are in high repute, and attract visitors from all parts of the county of Kent, and even from London. (Brady, 1837:118)

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Sources

Brady, John Henry, The Dover road sketch book; or, Traveller's pocket guide, between London and Dover (?London, 1837)

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