We will be visiting Betchworth Castle (near Dorking) on Sunday 22nd November, between 10.00 and 16.00.
It is a free visit and involves dowsing for the original outline of the now ruined “stately home” that was known as Betchworth Castle when it was later “fortified” with crenulations. We will also be dowsing for ancient burials, wells, garden features, ghosts, dates and an Iron age hill fort/ enclosure.
Don’t worry about the technical bits…. it’s all about using your own dowsing skills and sharpening them up on a classic site of archaeological interest. The area has splendid views and just perfect for us in that it’s not too big and not too small.
The idea is that there will be a core team looking at the site on behalf of the owner and that members and friends of Waverley Dowsers can call in between these times and stay for as long as they can afford to. It’s going to be a nice day so why not bring a packed lunch? I expect we will always have a brew on the go. If it does rain then we do have a cosy dry cellar on site!
The Committee team has already visited the site and noted many items of interest. If you can make it then it will be an excellent opportunity to help with your own skills. You have a free hand to search for whatever you wish, but if you are stuck for ideas then we have a long list of things that will excite and intrigue. My dowsing improves greatly in the company of others!
I have attached a map showing the entrance gate location of the track to the site. We will mark it with our notice board. Travel to the end and park where obvious. The surrounding area is Betchworth Golf Course so be careful and keep a look-out.
The ground is cleared in parts, but some areas are still overgrown… if you have garden tools that can clear brambles, bring them with you; you may care to create a path through to confirm what you may have map dowsed. The ground is firm although parts of the site are uneven, but if you have stout shoes/ boots then they would be practical to wear. The ruins have been made safe so there should be no danger from falling bricks; yet always think about the possibility! While you are protecting yourself against the ethereal, why not throw in some physical coverage too…. it’s the same principle… just ask for prior warnings, please!*
We are not allowed to dig anything up so you will be relived to know that it will be a hard job to prove you wrong, but I find that fellow confirmations are just as rewarding! See our current website item on what can give you trouble in dowsing like this.
If you would like to know more, pop Betchworth Castle into Google and have a look around. There is quite reasonable amount about it. Also have a gander at Google Earth. If you would like more information send me an e-mail and I’ll return a pdf of stuff I’ve gathered.
See these for a flavour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
A Betchworth Castle former resident wrote this:
“Dwell upon the brightest parts in every prospect… and strive to be pleased with the present circumstances.”
―
Abraham Tucker