In this episode of Creative Connections, we look at some of the clues to the past that are still sitting quietly in the countryside around us. From fingerposts and milestones to benchmarks, trig points and dew ponds, we explore what these familiar — and sometimes easily missed — features were actually for, and the stories behind them. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share it with others who enjoy the natural world and the stories behind it. The video version can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzNJIfetIL8 Image and video credits: The video and some of the photographs were created by Creative Connections. Additional images were free images from unsplash.com or if sourced from Wikimedia Commons they are listed below with full attribution and licence details. Finger Post Signs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Dave Spicer / Finger post at junction with Hurstwood Lane / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Plaque, Toll Gate House, Spaniards Road NW3 by Robin Sones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. 18th Century Toll Gate House, Spaniards Road NW3 by Robin Sones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Blue plaque - Copse Cross Toll Gate - Pauline Eccles, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. The Spaniards Inn and Toll Gate House, Spaniards Road NW3 by Robin Sones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Plaque and window, Toll Gate House NW3 by Robin Sones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Old Direction Sign - Signpost by Top Road, Tyes Cross, West Hoathly Parish by Milestone Society, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Fingerpost, Wriggle River by Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Peter Trimming / Milestone Near Lower Beeding, Sussex, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Old Milestone by the A286, Milestone Garage, Cocking Parish by Kevin David Agent, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Peter Royle / Milestone on A22, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Kissing gate, Henbury by Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Kissing gate and footpath by Philip Halling, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Pete Chapman / Stile on Public Footpath leaving B2110 at The Warren, Near Handcross, West Sussex, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. All Saints Church, Church Road, Herstmonceux (NHLE Code 1353333) (September 2023) (Mounting Block)_User:Hassocks5489, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Mounting block, Herstmonceux by Maigheach-gheal, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Martin Dawes / Mile Stone and Mounting Block with O/S Bench Mark, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Boundary stone on Ditchling Beacon_Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Milestone Society / Old Boundary Marker by the A638, north of Tunstall, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Boundary Stone at Whitehawk Road, Brighton (IoE Code 481456)_The Voice of Hassocks, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Ordnance Survey Bench Mark by V1ncenze, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Ordnance Survey Bench mark by The Saunterer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Fallowfield Station OS map 1899_Ordnance Survey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Peter Trimming / Trig Point on St.Roche's Hill, Sussex, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. CTS Tavistock 1_Colgill, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Trig point S8696: Top by Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Ordnance Survey GPS Station by Calum Young, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Trig point S8696: GPS network notice by Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Galileo IOT L-band antenna at Redu ESA219283_ESA/C. Lezy, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons. South Downs Way, dew pond nr Ditchling Beacon_AndyScott, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Peter Holmes / Mile Oak Dew Pond / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. #creativeconnections #Countrysidehistory #southdowns