Sunday 25 October 2020

The Gogs

The Gogmagogs are a group of low hills to the south-east of Cambridge. Someone's bound to want to know the origin of this strange name. And every few years I ask myself the same question.

The names Gog and Magog turn up in the Bible - sometimes a man called Magog comes from the land of Gog, while elsewhere Gog and Magog are two warring nations. As if that's not confusing enough, Gogmagog is also the name of a giant who appears in Welsh and English folklore, but then again sometimes Gog and Magog are two giants.


But why should these hills take the name? Well, according to the eccentric historian, T C Lethbridge, there used to be some hill-figures of giants carved in the chalk hereabouts and what's more Lethbridge reckoned he'd found them, a claim which is now largely discredited. All of which I've been familiar with for decades, without it making any sense at all!


Nowadays a large part of the Gogs (as everyone around here calls the area) is occupied by Wandlebury Country Park - a very popular place for a weekend stroll. In fact you could have been forgiven for calling it "the Dog-ma-Dog Hills" this morning, as doggy walkers were out in force early on.


Wandlebury takes its lovely name from a Bronze Age hill fort, the circular ramparts and ditches can still be walked around.


And smack in the middle of the old hillfort there's a much more recent house, now divided into apartments and also housing the offices of Cambridge Past, Present And Future, the charity which looks after the country park and other sites around the city.


Under an archway leading beneath the house there is an interesting grave....


Not the grave of a person, but the final resting place of a horse known as the Godolphin Arabian, one of three stallions from which all modern racehorses are descended. He lived out his final days here and died in 1753 at the age of 29.


But there are many leafy paths to explore....


This avenue of beech trees leads down to the Roman Road, which is nowadays just a straight track leading through fields - a fine walk in itself but beyond the scope of this morning's wanderings.


You can wander around here dozens of times and still not really know where you're heading, but somehow you always end up back at the beginning!


On a pleasant autumn morning it doesn't really matter which turn you take.


As the morning progressed the dogs began to be outnumbered by the children; the recent rains had ensured an ample supply of mud and puddles to keep the little ones entertained.


At the edge of the woodland, views opened up across the golf course and the flat lands leading towards the Fens. With binoculars it was possible to spot Ely Cathedral on the horizon. (Don't bother - it's not visible on the above photo).


Then it was time to make our way back out past the house, cross the road, then walk over Magog Down towards the car.


We'd had the best part of the day!


Take care.


26 comments:

  1. Beastly blogger refused to allow me to comment a little while ago. Hopefully it has relented.
    Thank you so much for this autumnal glory. And for the very confusing discussion of Gog/Magog/Gogmagog/Dogmagog.
    I am intrigued by the horses grave too.

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  2. Another place with a rich and interesting history. And the scenery with the Autumn colours is such a treat.

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  3. Another wonderful walk - I just love that avenue of beech trees.

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  4. I’d like to live in one of those apartments and have all that beauty on my doorstep. Jewish philosopher Martin Buber wrote a book called God and Magog - the details escape me!

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  5. All beautiful!
    King of the Wind, a childhood favorite book of mine was about the Godolphin Arabian. In fact, my first horse was an Arabian because of that book. I didn’t know that grave and marker existed.

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  6. I love history. I live in a relatively young country compared to yours. Roman roads, and bronze age forts...what a wonderful walk. Thanks for taking us along.

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  7. Beautiful autumn colours and did enjoy the journey!

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  8. Hi John - what a wonderful walk - yes that straight walk of Roman days ... just glad I'm not a gladiator! Gorgeous colours and what great names ... I went to see the Stubbs exhibition this time last year at Milton Keynes - extraordinary it was too ... so I'll like back to the horse grave here. Thanks a delightful post - Hilary

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  9. A exhilarating ramble through very pleasant countryside, John, with fall colours in evidence throughout. There is a town in Québec called Magog and I suspect that fanciful notions are part of its origin too.

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  10. You have an endless supply of wonderful places to explore and I am so happy you take us along. The names alone are an adventure!

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  11. Looks like a beautiful fall in the fields but under the trees it's still summer. Why the difference in leaf colors? I enjoyed your walk.

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    1. We're yet to have any overnight frost this year; once that happens everything will turn at once, but at the moment just odd trees are changing, depending on species and micro-climate.

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  12. What a beautiful place to walk.

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  13. That looks like it was a fine walk!

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  14. Oh my, what beautiful colors. This is such a lovely area with super interesting names and history. I'm so glad you let us come along with you. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

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  15. Whatever the real history of the names Gog and Magog, you certainly provided a wealth of information here, John. And also showed wonderful foliage along the walk. I would enjoy seeing Waddlebury and the old hill fort and walking beneath that avenue of beech treeswould be wonderful as well. Glad you escaped the dogs and young children, none of which were visible in your photos, on purpose I assumed.

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  16. What a beautiful place to spend all or part of a day. Every which way you look, beauty.

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  17. What a grand walk surrounded by all the autumn beauty.
    Thanks John!

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  18. How beautiful! Such a lovely walk! It is nice to have so many paths to take, so even with people about, it doesn't seem too crowded.

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  19. Lovely walk John, Graham and I did it when we were in England time before last. However it was spring so not the lovely colours. Thank you, Jill

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  20. There's a wonderful book by Marguerite Henry called "King of the Wind" which is based on the very real story of the Goldophin Arabian. Recommended reading for children of all ages.

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  21. Reading the title to the post I half expected something about a cartoon character or suchlike! Of course i should have known better than to think that!

    An interesting walk you had and your images are a delight to see! The avenue of Beech trees looks amazing!

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  22. Glorious ✨ I'm a wee bit agog by the story of Gog and Magog.. let's not even mention Gogmagog 😉 I do enjoy these walks with you 💙

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  23. I love those stories that inhabit the grey area between fact and fiction. And all the Gogmagog stuff reminded me that I still don't know why our local Zebra Hill is so named!

    After seeing your photos I am now yearning for the woods.

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  24. It is a pleasure to see your photos and read about the nature you encounter on your walks as well as learn about local history. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Elaine, Canada

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