- Grim's Ditch (Harrow)
Infobox Mountain
Name = Grim's Ditch
Photo = Picturedigi 018.jpg
Caption = View towards Harrow from near summit of Grim's Ditch
Elevation = 144 m (472 ft)
Location =Stanmore ,England
Prominence =
Coordinates =
Topographic
OS "Explorer" 173
Type =
First ascent =
Easiest route =
Grid_ref_UK = TQ138928
Listing =
Translation =
Language =
Pronunciation =Grim's Ditch or Grim's Dyke is an area of
countryside in theLondon Borough of Harrow , close to the Hertfordshire borderline. It extends about two miles fromBushey Heath to Harrow and is most easily reached viaStanmore . It takes its name from the pre-historic earthwork which is one of a number ofGrim's Ditch es in southern England. A highroad called Old Redding passes through the centre of the trail which can be reached either by Oxhey Lane or Bushey Heath and includes a popular viewpoint for many locals. However views are actually more extensive through the breaks in the trees a few hundred yards further up the high road. Some of these are surprising for a low hill.Wembley Stadium can be seen to the south, and beyond it beginning from the east,Canary Wharf ,Tower Bridge ,The Gherkin , theBT Tower , theRiver Thames , theLondon Eye , and the Houses of Parliament are all visible in clear conditions. BeyondHarrow on the Hill to the south,Leith Hill can be seen; its 20 metre high tower can even be seen on the top with binoculars. To the north and west there are clear views of theChilterns , and in particular Coombe Hill can be seen. The viewpoint is particularly popular at night.The highest point of the trail, which is close to the "county top" of
Middlesex , is just above the Grim's DykeGolf Club which can be passed using the 'Bushey Heath Walk'footpath . The walk eventually extends through a small wood with aBT microwave aerial prominent.In the woods stands
Grim's Dyke , a house designed byNorman Shaw for the Victorian painterFrederick Goodall . Later, it was the country home ofW. S. Gilbert (ofSavoy opera fame) — he suffered a heart attack while trying to save a swimmer in the lake in the grounds. It is now an hotel and was seen in an off set episode of "EastEnders". The house and its gatehouse are bothlisted building s.The earthwork also gave its name to the telephone exchange serving Stanmore: GRImsdyke (as it was normally written).
History
Grim's Ditch is believed to be one of the few remaining Anglo-Saxon trenches in
England where Norse tribes were converted toChristianity during the 8th and 9th centuries. Its name 'the grim' is derived from the word 'hooded', a description of the dark appearance of the Norse god Woden who was brought toEngland by Anglo-Saxon tribes. For theAnglo-Saxons , Woden was the carrier-off of the dead, but not necessarily with theattributes of the Norse godOdin — there does not appear to have been the concepts ofValkyries andValhalla in the Norse sense though there is a word for the former "Waelcyrge". Woden is also the leader of the Wild Hunt. The familial relationships are the same between Woden and the other Anglo-Saxon gods as they are for the Norse. Although whatever stories recording his part in the lives of men and the gods are lost, Woden's name survived in many settlement names and geographical features.External links
* [http://www.grimsdyke.com/history.htm History page on the Grim's Dyke Hotel website]
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