Why the ancient civilizations who built the place did not use the easier, nearby rocks remains a mystery. But the skills and knowledge on display at Stonehenge are not.
Every year, tens of thousands of people flock to the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge in Salisbury Plain. Some are captivated by the remarkable achievements of our ancestors, while others come to celebrate our deep-rooted connection to the cosmos.
With such a substantial number of visitors, the foot traffic on the site takes a toll, leaving the ground little chance to recover. English Heritage faced a pressing issue and sought a solution that wouldn't compromise the integrity of this historic location.
Why not use a more traditional path?
The idea of using a conventional path, such as concrete or tiles, might have crossed their minds. However, the allure of Stonehenge lies in its natural beauty, and encasing it in invasive construction would be unfortunate and could lead to future complications.
Stonehenge and the surrounding Salisbury Plain are of immense historical significance, making any major construction a delicate matter requiring meticulous planning approval, especially near the heritage site. Moreover, the aesthetic value of Stonehenge should be preserved, and disturbing the lush greenery surrounding the magnificent stones is best avoided.
Enter RubbaGrass®
A rubber matting solution that presented itself as the perfect answer to this dilemma. Designed to safeguard high footfall areas from erosion, the matting allows grass to grow through its holes, preserving the natural appearance. The chosen green colour helps the matting blend seamlessly with the ground. Furthermore, its quick installation and removal capabilities make it flexible enough to accommodate any archaeological work that might arise.
RubbaGrass® boasts durability and impact resistance, ensuring smooth navigation for pushchairs and wheelchairs, far easier than navigating grass alone. Additionally, it offers protection to visitors who might lose their footing, as the ground beneath the matting is rated to withstand a fall height of three metres.
Conclusion
While not all situations involve protecting an ancient Neolithic stone circle, there are valuable takeaways from this case study:
It's time to move away from traditional restrictive pathway solutions and allow the grass to thrive once more.
Before settling on a new pathway solution, carefully consider all requirements to meet your specific needs. Our team of experts is available to provide you with advice and guidance for your project.
Grass Mats Europe took immense pride in collaborating with English Heritage, providing them with top-notch RubbaGrass® solutions. It was an honour for our team to be part of preserving the historic site and ensuring its sustainability for future generations.