07/09/2026
The hill picked out by the somewhat ethereal sunlight on an otherwise grey morning is Easton Clump - a prominent hilltop beech copse and ancient round barrow, perched on the ridge of Easton Hill, a few miles east of Pewsey, above the village of Easton Royal.
But why Royal?
The answer is rather charming. The “Royal” was added as the result of a Victorian-era historical misunderstanding - a mistake that, it seems, proved too good a name to lose! In 1836, the vicar of Bedwyn mistakenly described Easton’s church benefice as “royal”, apparently believing it to be a royal donative. The name subsequently stuck.
There is, however, an intriguing twist. Although the “Royal” in the village’s name was technically a mistake, Easton may well have had genuine royal connections in earlier times. It may have formed part of the large royal estate of Wootton around the time of the Domesday survey, while the village’s history was also closely connected with Savernake Forest, which was itself a royal hunting forest.
And, appropriately enough, Easton Royal is also home to The Bruce Arms - making it a rather lovely spot to pause, enjoy the landscape and perhaps raise a glass to its unexpectedly royal history. 🍺🌳
