THE GREATWOOD RUN

A FAMOUS example of a major run into adjacent countries as related in A History of the County of Wiltshire:

“In 1871 the Beaufort Hunt had a run which became one of the most outstanding runs of the 19th century. Lord Worcester was hunting the big dog pack, which comprised 17½ couples. The meet was at Swallets Gate, near Christian Malford. Hounds found their fox in Grittenham Great Wood, and ran by Brinkworth Common, Somerford Common, and Braydon Lodge to Cricklade, in VWH country, finally running their quarry to ground near Highworth, in the Old Berkshire country. This was a point of 14 miles and 28 miles as hounds ran. One couple of hounds was missing at the finish, but only some half dozen members of the hunt were present. Only one member went through to the end on the horse he was riding at the beginning of the run. Hounds and horses were 35 miles from home at the finish, and returned to Badminton by train from Swindon.”