Harwell Campus is supporting the North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust to spotlight the beauty, heritage and hidden wonders of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape.

The campaign combines two creative elements to help both locals and visitors better explore and appreciate this extraordinary chalk landscape that stretches across four counties.

The North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust is compiling a directory of virtual “Postcards” showcasing lesser known but captivating locations throughout the Downs. Each digital Postcard pairs a striking image with descriptions and links to nearby landmarks, walks, shops, pubs, cafes and more to encourage exploration and support local businesses.

While famous attractions such as White Horses and iconic sites are well known, this project aims to celebrate the lesser-seen quirky heritage sites, unique viewpoints, fascinating stories and rural delights.

Harwell Campus sits within the North Wessex Downs and was once one of the UK’s most secretive scientific sites. In its early days the campus did not appear on maps and researchers were required to sign the Official Secrets Act as they played a critical role in post-war atomic research.

Harwell is today celebrating its 80th anniversary and is an open and welcoming site, with public trails, cafés and eateries, and a year-round programme of public engagement events. Surrounded by green fields and beautiful natural landscape, Harwell is driving the UK’s scientific and technological future and continues to fuel the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor.

Complementing the Postcards project, new road signage is being installed at main entry points to the North Wessex Downs National Landscape to help people instantly recognise when they’re entering this nationally designated area. 

Harwell’s backing highlights the importance of both celebrating local character within protected landscapes. By raising visibility for the North Wessex Downs and providing inspirational ways to explore it, this campaign helps reinforce the cultural, ecological and economic value of the National Landscape.