Purbeck’s most unusual landmark is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary – but the long term future of Woodhenge in Worth Matravers, Dorset, is now in doubt as it has started to rot.
Woodhenge was created in a day opposite the Square and Compass pub by landlord Charlie Newman and his chief cider maker at the time, Nick Gray, to mark Midsummer morning 2015.
The newly constructed Woodhenge in June 2015, with Nick Gray (left) and Charlie Newman (right)
Planning battle made UK headlines
But within days they found themselves at the centre of a planning battle which made national headlines as Purbeck District Council demanded that the wooden homage to Stonehenge either got planning permission or was torn down.
The council originally demanded it should be taken down by early September 2015 as it didn’t have permission, but eventually granted a two year reprieve after nearly 1,500 people signed an online protest in support of the landmark.
After two years, nothing further was said and shortly after that Purbeck District Council was disbanded in favour of a unitary authority, Dorset Council, and Woodhenge became a legend in its own lifetime.
But now, longhorn beetles have made a meal of the wooden structure, causing many of the two tonne trunks to rot and one of the uprights has collapsed, giving the Square and Compass a new problem – what next for Worth Matraver’s unique tourist attraction?
The Square and Compass at Worth Matravers is one of England’s best loved pubs
One of the uprights has been knocked over by a horse, and the wood is rotting, thanks to hungry beetles
“It’s looking a little bit tricky”
Charlie Newman said:
“I don’t want to knock Woodhenge down, but the longhorn beetle has made a meal of the wood and it has absolutely rotted in places and is getting unsafe.
“It was great fun, a beautiful project and I loved doing it – we have had a few weddings and staff parties here over the last ten years, but it is now looking a little bit tricky, so I think realistically I might have to change it somehow.
“It has become a real landmark and draws people into the village to take photographs, but it’s already starting to fail, there are a lot of longhorn beetles eating it by the second and one of the uprights has already gone.
“In an ideal world it would be nice to witness its natural disintegration, but I have to be aware of safety issues too, so there’s a lot to consider.”
Woodhenge pictured on a sunny day in June 2023
“Something needs to be done”
Charlie added:
“The night we put it up, the sky was completely split – there was a massive cloud bank on one side and crystal blue sky on the other side, going right down to the horizon, it was lovely to see.
“No one complained, but within three or four days somehow Woodhenge had been brought to the attention of Purbeck District Council. If I’d been sensible and put some chicken wire around it and put some hens in there, I could have said it was an over engineered chicken run and I’d have got away with it.
“As it was, the council served me an order to apply for planning permission, so I had to pay them £250 when really they should have paid me for setting up a landmark which thousands of people have come to see.
“They eventually gave me two years of temporary permission, which was nice of them, and then forgot about it, for which I have to say thank you.
“Now it is a little unsafe, I don’t think it’s going to last for very much longer, and something needs to be done, though I’m not sure what.
“For now, we have roped it off and we will put up more warning signs, I don’t want anyone climbing on it and risking getting hurt. I’m happy for people to go and enjoy it, but they need to be sensible.”
Could more space soon be given to the fascinating museum at the Square and Compass?
Rich in archaeology and palaeontology
Woodhenge was carefully set up 10 years ago to align with three tumuli – ancient burial mounds – on nearby Emmett’s Hill, while the whole landscape around Worth Matravers is rich in archaeology and palaeontology, with many local items on display in a museum in the Square and Compass.
There are early stage plans to increase the size of the museum to include more of Charlie’s private collection – some of it is already on display in the Etches Collection at Kimmeridge, but still more is in his home, including bones from several dinosaurs in his lounge and Roman artefacts in his bedroom.
His partner, Anna, a geneticist who works for Bournemouth University, is fortunately also interested in fossils, but is trying to get Charlie a little more organised as his collection is a little chaotic, in his words.
And as the pub, which has been in his family for the past 118 years, has an enviable reputation and trade, running free live music and community events, he thinks that a larger museum at the Square and Compass may be a good way forward.
Whatever its future, Woodhenge will always be remembered as one of Purbeck’s most endearing attractions
“It just said ‘henge’ to me”
Charlie Newman said:
“I’m very passionate about fossils and archaeology, I grew up here and I think you become a product of your landscape. I have a collection of archaeology and palaeontology and I am passionate about both, which is why I set up a museum here.
“Ten years ago, we took about 200 tonnes of Monterey pine from the rugby club in Wareham and when it was dropped in the car park one of the butts stayed upright – I walked up to it and it just said ‘henge’ to me, so I had to do build one, by default really.
“I didn’t wish to antagonise the council, but if you ask them for permission it can take months and sometimes you have to do things spontaneously. Fortunately, public opinion was stronger than the council!
“My colleague Nick Gray, whose birthday was on 21st June, helped me to build it, but very sadly he passed away unexpectedly a couple of years ago. We got up really early and put the whole thing together in a day.
“It has been a real asset to Purbeck ever since, whether you think of it as a piece of art, a slice of our history or just a beautiful part of the stunning local landscape.”
Midsummer celebrations, weddings and parties have all been held at Woodhenge over the last decade
Further information
- More about events at the Square and Compass
