Two Dogs and an Awning

Category: Wiltshire

  • The Cheverells from Market Lavington

    The Cheverells from Market Lavington

    Last year whilst driving from home for a walk in the Pewsey Vale I had to make a diversion due to a road closure.  The revised route took me through Market Lavington and I realised I had never visited the village.  On numerous occasions I have driven along the A360 which goes through nearby West Lavington, but had never turned off.  So today we are going to explore the area and start a walk from Market Lavington.

    The starting point for our walk is the car park of Market Lavington Community Hall in St Mary’s Road (SN10 4DG) (Grid Ref: SU013541).  We start by walking up towards St Mary’s Church, parts of which date from the 13th century with further additions in the 14th and 15th centuries.  Major restorations took place in 1864 and 1910.

    We take a path that goes north besides the church wall and then through the corner of the churchyard to reach houses.  We we follow the estate road down to reach Grove Road where we turn right and follow the pavement to a mini roundabout.  Here we take the first left into Canada Rise and head uphill.  Just before reaching houses we take a footpath on the right and follow this until we reach a road where we turn left and walk along the pavement for just over a hundred yards and then take a bridleway on the right.

    This track soon forks and we go right and follow a path between fields to reach a junction of paths where we turn left and then at the end of that field fork right and continue on to reach a junction of tracks beside a cottage on Kings Road.  In the wall of the cottage is a Victorian post box.

    We now follow Kings Road, which is a narrow lane, to reach a junction.  Here we go straight on along a lane called Eastern Sands and keep going until we reach Sands Farm.  We fork left and then almost immediately take another fork to the right to follow a lane down through West Wood.

    This lane leads past Forest Farm and then goes under a railway line and continues on a grassy track in open countryside.

    On reaching a gate we turn left and follow a farm track which soon bends to the right and heads west towards Potterne Wick. The path leads us to a paddock where the horse is very interested in us and follows us towards a stile on the far side.

    We have now joined the driveway to Potterne Park Farm and we continue along this towards Potterne Wick.  At a junction of paths we continue along the lane and then a few hundred yards later take a footpath on the right leading through a field of free range chickens and then over a stile to a lane which we cross to continue along Saddleback Lane.

    This lane heads uphill and when the houses end we continue on a footpath following a fine sunken track lane.

    On reaching a cottage we join a tarmac lane and continue downhill to a junction of lanes where we go right uphill on a lane heading north.  After passing the post office we turn left to walk on the pavement besides the A360 to reach the entrance to St Mary’s Church.  

    It is time for lunch so we enter the churchyard in search of a bench and find a spot tucked behind the tower providing a pleasant view.  The A360 passes below the church but we are high above it so not disturbed.  Refreshed we resume our walk and return to the road and follow the pavement to reach a junction we leave the A360 to join Mill Lane heading downhill until we reach a lane where we turn left and then almost immediately take a footpath on the left besides a water pump.

    This path leads through a farmyard and then continues across fields to reach a lane where we turn left and then after about 100 yards take a footpath on the right and stay with this path in a south-westerly direction towards Ware Farm.

    At a crossing of tracks near a barn at Ware Farm we go left and follow the path through a large arable field.

    We go into another field and continue heading east across fields.  At a junction of paths we turn right and continue across fields on a path that goes close to Larborough Farm.  The path descends to a large indoor pig unit.  It is not particularly well marked and in parts is overgrown as we cross a stream and beat a route which continues with the farm barns on our left.  It is irritating when landowners neglect footpaths or allow the way-markers to become obscured.  I often wonder if this is a deliberate act to try and discourage walkers.

    On reaching a road we turn right and walk with care beside the road to reach South Cross Lane where we turn left and follow this lane past farms and Great Cheverell Mill, this was built in the 19th century and has now been converted to a private house.

    We stay with the lane which has now become Cheverell Green Road and then The Green which leads into Great Cheverell.  The sign announcing the village is a long way from the centre and when we finally reach the High Street we turn right and head uphill. At the Kyte’s Garage we turn left at Hill Corner.

    After passing some houses the lane becomes School Lane and we follow this into Little Cheverell.  On reaching the B3098 we turn left and walk on the pavement until we reach the entrance to St Peters Church.  The tower on this church was built in 1291 whilst the rest of the church was rebuilt in 1850.

    From the church we continue downhill besides the B3098 and then turn left into Low Road.  Just before we reach The Owl pub we turn right into a lane and follow this as it curves around heading back towards the B3098.  Shortly before reaching the road we take a footpath on the left which heads across fields towards Littleton Panell.

    As we near houses we take a footpath on the right and follow this as it continues around to meet the A360.  Here we turn left and then soon take a right turn into Russell Mill Lane.  We stay with this lane until we reach the entrance driveway to Park Farm here we fork right and follow the path uphill to enter woods.  

    The path continues along the northern edge of the woodland and then at a junction of paths we turn right and follow a footpath towards Beech Wood.

    The path continues through the woodland and leads us to the mini roundabout at the junction of Grove Road and Canada Rise.  Here we turn right and retrace our steps back to our starting point at Market Lavington Community Centre.

    Our walk has covered twelve miles.  It has been interesting to visit the villages of Potterne, Great Cheverell and Little Cheverell, however the enjoyment of the walk has been hampered by the lack of signage and poorly maintained footpaths and stiles on the section between Potterne and Great Cheverell. 

    You can view this 12 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk, you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer 130 – Salisbury & Stonehenge; and OS Explorer 143 – Warminster & Trowbridge

    7th June 2021

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Back at Charlton Manor CL

    Back at Charlton Manor CL

    Following the lockdowns of 2020 and whilst still in the early stages of the Covid pandemic we made a short trip to Charlton Manor CL and had a good break.  The CL is only 30 minutes drive from home and yet whilst out walking it felt like we were in a totally different part of the Country and we began to appreciate what a beautiful, gem the Vale of Pewsey is.

    After our wet trip to the Cotswolds a couple of weeks ago we are ready for a dry sunny stay and the forecast for the week is good.  It does not take long for us to get set up and erect the awning.  Crosby and I are itching to get out for a walk so are soon ready to head off.

    Leaving the site I go through the farm and on reaching a track turn left and head north on the White Horse Trail, this long-distance path covers ninety miles and visits all eight of the Wiltshire White Horses.  During the course of 2020 I walked to all the White Horses but because of the pandemic had to do it as a series of days out.

    After half a mile I reach a junction of tracks and turn left to leave the White Horse Trail.  I continue along this hedge lined track for three quarters of a mile to reach a junction of paths where I turn left.  The path heads through a field to cross a stream and then heads along the edge of another field.  At a crossing of paths I continue straight on towards the A342.  On my left on the side of the chalk down is an ancient Strip Lynchets field system.

    Reaching the A342, besides Combe Cottage,  I cross the road and continue along a footpath opposite which soon starts to ascend the escarpment of the downs. 

    The clear path goes uphill and then continues between fields to reach the perimeter of the military firing range on Salisbury Plain.  

    I now turn left and follow a path heading south east towards a clump of trees in the distance.  This is one of the many groups of trees in this area marked on the map as Charlton Clumps.

    On reaching the trees I take a footpath along a track on the left and am once again on the White Horse Trail.  Soon on my right hand side is an Ordnance Survey trig pillar.  I have bagged this one a couple of times, it is in a cracking setting with good views across the Vale of Pewsey.

    The track I am on is Charlton Drove and it descends steadily with far ranging views in front of me.  Across the vale in the far distance is the Alton Barnes White Horse.  

    The drove leads back to the A342 opposite the Charlton Cat cafe, I cross carefully and take a path through a gate.  The Charlton Cat was a pub and the building dates from the 1820’s.  Apparently, it was originally the Red Lion, but by the 1920’s had become known locally as the Cat due to the poorly painted lion on its sign. So the name was changed. 

    I follow this path the short distance to the outskirts of Charlton St Peter, where I turn left and follow the track back to Charlton Manor CL.  This has been a cracking stroll in the late afternoon sunshine and has covered just under five miles. 

    You can view this 5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk, you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL130 – Salisbury and Stonehenge

    6th June 2021

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)

    ll information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Frost and a Monolith

    Frost and a Monolith

    The start of a new year sees me starting another “Walk the Year” challenge.  In 2021 I aim to walk 2,021 miles.  I started doing this annual challenge in 2018 so this is my fourth year.  In my quest I only count “Boots on Miles” which means the miles I notch up whilst wearing my walking boots.  Normal day to day walking does not count as far as I am concerned.  In 2020 I walked 2,542 miles which far exceeded previous years; 2,231 miles in 2019 and 2,229 in 2018.  

    It is a bright but frosty morning so ideal for walking at pace to keep warm and I intend to start the year with a good long morning walk from Pitton, my home village.

    I start my walk from the village pub, the Silver Plough, leaving the car park I turn left and then immediately left along The Green.  I ignore footpaths to the right and left and stay on the lane to reach a bridleway opposite Glebe House.  At the end of the bridleway I turn right to walk up the track, Winterslow Hollow.  

    I ignore a footpath on the left and then within 10 yards turn left to join the permissive path running along the fence line and then continue between fields to reach farm buildings.  The footpath goes to the left of the farmhouse and then on reaching a track I continue the short distance to a road.  I cross and carry on along a track alongside All Saints Church on the edge of Winterslow.

    Through a kissing gate I keep to the left hand side of the field to reach another kissing gate, here I keep close to the fence and soon reach another two kissing gates side by side.  I go through the one on the left and follow a fence lined path and stay with it as it leads into a copse. The path is easy to follow through the trees and soon turns to the left to descend to a sunken track, here I turn left and head downhill.  

    This is part of the Monarch’s Way, a route that follows the journey made by Charles II after the battle of Worcester.  The 625-mile route starts from Worcester and after a convoluted route reaches the Dorset coast and then heads east to finally end at Shoreham-on-Sea.  It is a walk I would love to do, but I would need a long pass from Lynnie before I could consider it!

    As I continue along the track I am mentally planning the logistics of tackling a walk of over 600 miles.  At the moment it feels like it will be some time before such a walk would be possible, but it is potentially something to add to my list of winter projects. The track leads to a road where I turn right and follow a path on the verge.  At a crossroads besides a wind pump I turn left back towards Pitton, after about a hundred yards I take a footpath on the right just after the entrance to Windmill Farm.  I am still on the Monarch’s Way.  

    This fenced path leads between fields then reaches a play area at the back of houses in Firsdown.  The route continues west, following the course of a Roman Road, to reach a copse.  I stay on the main path still heading west through the trees.  There are no other footpaths marked on the map for these woods, but obviously local dog walkers have established a few routes.  At a clearing in the hedge line I stop to look at the view back towards Pitton. 

    The next section of the walk looks a bit complex on the maps, but on the ground the footpaths are clear. I emerge from the wooded area and continue straight ignoring a path on the right.  Within a few yards I carry straight on at a crossing of tracks and then at the next crossing of tracks, within a hundred yards, I turn right.  This path is way-marked as the Monarch’s Way.

    A few hundred yards along this path I reach a stile on the left and cross this, still on the Monarch’s Way, from here I follow the path along the right hand edge of a field.

    The path passes through a gate before heading along a driveway to a stable to reach the A30.  On the far side I go through a gate and walk besides a field to reach a stile on the right giving access to the Neolithic and Iron Age site of Figsbury Ring.

    After wandering around a section of the ring I rejoin the Monarch’s Way, leaving the access land by a gate in the western corner of the field I join a track descending towards the Winterbournes. 

    I go through a kissing gate besides a farm gate and continue along a tarmac lane that goes under a railway bridge to reach the village.  The lane leads to the A338 where I turn left by St Michael and All Angels Church.  After a few hundred yards on the pavement besides the main road I turn right into Tanners Lane and follow this lane as it heads to the River Bourne.  I stay with the lane until it reaches a ford, here I take the footbridge and cross the river.

    After crossing the river I turn left along a track and then at a junction of tracks turn left to cross the river again.   At a junction I turn right into Hurdcott Lane and then after a couple of hundred yards turn right into Black Horse Lane and pass the Black Horse pub.

    At the end of the lane I join a footpath and follow this as it skirts the edge of a field and then goes through the hedge line into a second field to continue on to a footpath running behind houses.  This soon opens up into a driveway to properties and then reaches a minor road in Ford where I turn left and walk up to Broken Cross Bridge that crosses the railway line.  After carefully crossing the bridge I turn left into Old Malthouse Lane.  After a couple of hundred yards just as I reach industrial barns I take a footpath on the right and follow the path steadily uphill towards the A30.

    After crossing this busy main road the path continues on the far side through a hedge to follow a farm track along the side of a field.

    At the top corner of the field I turn right and follow the edge of the field to join a path leading through bushes to reach a kissing gate onto the open access land of Cockey Down Nature Reserve.

    When I was a nipper this hill briefly gained national notoriety when on 26th January 1969 a group of students from University College North Wales carved a chalk Panda onto the hillside as part of a RAG week stunt.  The Panda remained visible for some time, but has long since grown over.  It is a few months since I was last here and as I walk around the trees I am surprised to see a monolith has been erected.

    I walk away from the monolith on a path that descends steeply and continues south on Laverstock Down.  Here I bump into a couple heading up the hill and they inform me that the monolith appeared overnight and they are eager to catch a glimpse.  

    Continuing along the path I encounter a steady stream of people heading up the hill to view the new phenomenon (as it later turns out they were right to do so because 3 days later it was pulled down).  At a fork in the path I go left and head uphill to reach a kissing gate and then follow a hedge lined path to reach the gates for Clarendon Estate at Rangers Lodge Farm.  I turn left, now on the Clarendon Way and follow the Estate Road before forking right onto the footpath to cross a field heading towards King Manor Hill.

    The path continues up a track and as it bends to the right I continue straight on to visit the remains of Clarendon Palace.  This Royal Hunting Lodge was a major residence of Kings from the reign of Henry II to Henry VII.  When I was a youngster the site was overgrown and the ruins were lost in the undergrowth, now they have been cleared and it is an interesting, historic spot to visit.

    I leave the site of the palace by a gate in the north east corner and rejoin the Clarendon Way and turn left along a track.  Within a hundred yards I fork left leaving the track to follow the Clarendon Way sign into the woods.  I now stay with the Clarendon Way as it follows a clear path through the trees to reach farm buildings and then continues around the back of Four Cottages and back into Pitton.  At the crossroads I turn right and walk up White Hill to reach my starting point at the Silver Plough.

    My walk has covered just over 13 miles and has been a great start to my walking year.  It has been a very chilly day but the occasional sunshine has made for pleasant walking.  

    You can view this 13 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps OL130 Salisbury & Stonehenge and OL131 Romsey, Andover & Test Valley

    1st January 2021

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • A Walk In The Woodford Valley

    A Walk In The Woodford Valley

    It is a long time since I did a walk up the Woodford Valley.  I have covered sections of it on walks but haven’t done a route going up and down the valley for well over twenty years.  So today I am exploring this attractive valley with my walking pals Mandy and Gary.

    The starting point for our walk is a small parking area at Stratford-sub-Castle besides the River Avon (OS Grid Ref: SU12943295).  We start by heading south besides the road heading back towards Salisbury.

    Within a few hundred yards we reach St Lawrence’s Church, there has been a church on this site since at least 1326.  It houses a 12th century font, thought to have come from elsewhere. At various times over the centuries bits have been added, the naive was built in the 16th century and the tower rebuilt in the 17th century.  Major renovations were conducted in 1904-05 and again in 1957-58.  It is a church I have never been inside and that will not be rectified today because the door is locked.

    We stay with the pavement until we reach a footpath along a track on the left and take this going towards Old Sarum Castle.  

    As the path starts to ascend we take a gate on the right to enter the site of Old Sarum and follow a well-worn path uphill towards the ramparts.  As we ascend we get a cracking view of Salisbury Cathedral in the early morning mist.

    On reaching the ramparts we turn left on the outer ring of the castle.  There is evidence that the site of the castle was used as an Iron Age settlement in 400BC.  A motte and bailey castle was built in 1069 and the site was well populated until the cathedral which had been built there was relocated to its current location two miles away.  This relocation was due to a fall out between the church and the troops guarding the castle, local legend has it that an arrow was fired from the castle and wherever it landed would be the site of the new cathedral. It would not be physically possible to fire an arrow two miles, so the story has it that the arrow landed in a deer who ran until dropping at the site of the new cathedral.

    Whatever the myths around this site it is clear that building the ramparts would have required a lot of physical effort.  It is years since I visited the site and must return with Lynnie and look at the old remains.  Nearing the entrance we drop off the rampart to go through a gate and then turn to the left on a drove and head north-west crossing a minor road and continuing towards Shepherds Corner.

    This route is easy to follow, it stays with the track as it passes belts of trees.  At a junction of tracks at Keeper’s Cottage we continue straight on along the bridleway.

    The track now ascends Little Dunford Hill and after going through trees we get some cracking views across the valley.

    At a junction of tracks, where the Monarchs way crosses the route, we keep straight ahead and a few hundred yards further on take a footpath on the left.  The track passes fields and then reaches a concrete road.  This road was part of the site of the old High Post Airfield, which opened in 1931 as a civil airfield, the site came a military base in World War II.  

    When the manufacture of Spitfires was disbursed from Woolston following the bombing of the Supermarine Works one location used was Salisbury.  Various sites were commandeered around the City and sections manufactured then transported for final assembly and test flying at this airfield.  My maternal Grandfather worked for Supermarine in Southampton and was moved to Salisbury to be the Foreman for the assembly and installation of the fuselage at the Wessex Garage in New Street, Salisbury.  

    On reaching a minor road we turn right and then very quickly take a road on the left signposted to  Durnford.  This road runs alongside the site of the Chemring Factory, but for years this was the location of Pains Wessex Fireworks.  The road starts to descend Jubilee Hill giving good views up the valley.

    As we reach the houses in Great Durnford we turn right on a footpath that heads through a field to reach a track.  Here we turn left and descend to the village and make a brief diversion to visit the Norman church of St Andrew.

    Returning to the road we head north through the village around the boundary of Great Durnford Manor.  The road descends and then we take a footpath along a track which heads north into Ham Wood.  After heading through the trees we continue along the clear track.  

    At a fork in the path we go right keeping with the top of the ridge and then it steadily descends to a large disused chalk pit.

    We now turn and take a path heading south along the bottom of the downs until we reach a path on the right which we take and follow footbridges over branches of the River Avon.

    We continue on the path to cross the main branch of the River Avon and then continue into Normanton.

    At a minor road we turn left and stay with this road until we reach the lane leading to Wilsford church.  There is a suitable bench here for us to stop for lunch. Refreshed we continue down the lane to visit St Michael’s church.

    After visiting the church we return up the lane and then turn right onto the minor road for a few hundred yards before turning left on a track heading west and steadily uphill.

    Now we go downhill and pass Springbottom Farm and then turn left and follow a path into Lake Bottom.

    At a junction of paths we turn right and follow the path along the top of a field with woods to our right.  Below us is Lake House.  This house originates from 1578 with various additions made over the years.  It was gutted by fire in 1912 and was added to in 1933.  In 1990 it was purchased by the musician Sting and he is actress wife Trudie Styler.

    Reaching a minor road we cross and join a track heading steadily downhill towards the River Avon.  At a junction of paths we do not cross the river but stay on a footpath keeping to the west of the river to enter Upper Woodford.  At a minor road in the village we turn left soon passing The Bridge Inn.

    The road leads through the village and continues past the entrance to Heale House and then into Middle Woodford passing All Saints Church.  

    We stay with the road, which is also the route of the Monarchs Way, until we reach a footpath on the right.  Here we follow the Monarchs Way markers and head across a field.  We cross a minor road and continue over fields towards another minor road.

    After crossing the road our path is through fields towards meadows following the way markers to reach the driveway to Little Durnford House.  We turn left and follow the driveway over  the river and then past a series of paddocks with a variety of animals.

    The driveway leads to a minor road where we turn right and follow this road back to our starting point.  We have covered 15 miles and kept dry which is a bonus for a walk in December.

    You can view this 15 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow this walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL130 Salisbury & Stonehenge

    17th December 2020

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Trigs and Handsel Sisters in Grovely Wood

    Trigs and Handsel Sisters in Grovely Wood

    I am continuing my quest to walk areas close to home I have not previously explored.  So today I am off to Grovely Wood on the west side of Wilton for a walk with my friend Mandy.  There are a number of options for parking around the woods, we choose the small car park on Grovely Road to the south west of Great Wishford.

    We start our walk by heading up the forestry track into the woods on the route of the Monarch’s Way.

    It is a steady ascent through the trees and we stay with this track until meeting a crossing of tracks close to Grovely Lodge here we turn right along a wide track and soon pass a gate and continue along the track.

    After passing Four Sisters Copse we leave the main track and follow a path through the trees heading northwest towards the Little Langford Down Nature Reserve.  Like much of Grovely Wood this is open access land so there are no way markers and we take care to ensure we skirt the top of a valley before turning north through Langford Woods.

    This is a stunning section of woodland maintained as a nature reserve by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

    We stay with a broad ride through the trees to reach the northern end of Langford Woods where there is a barbed wire fence.  This marks the edge of the access land.  Here we make a brief excursion into the field to bag the Ordnance Survey trig pillar on the ramparts of the Grovely Castle Iron Age hill fort.  

    This is the 233rd trig I have bagged and the views from here are stunning.

    We spend a few minutes just taking in the far ranging views and once again I am blown away by the beauty of the Wiltshire downland.

    Back in the woods we retrace our steps through the nature reserve, this time when we reach the top of the valley we fork right on a ride passing and area marked on the map as Powten Stone.  I had hoped this would mean there was a stone here we could seek out, but whilst planning the route I discovered that despite much searching the location of the stone is unknown.

    On reaching a junction with a footpath following the line of a Grim’s Ditch we turn right following the path as it goes along the edge of the woodland besides the ditch.  A Grim’s Ditch is not an uncommon site when walking on chalk downland.  Apparently their exact purpose is unclear, they are not large enough for military purposes it is therefore thought they were used to mark territorial boundaries and date from around 300 BC.  The ditch is to our right and we soon pass a small pond.

    Our route is now very straightforward, we stay on the path along the edge of the woodland with the occasional clearing to our right giving stunning views.

    We pass a barn and stay with the track until we reach a minor road at Dinton Beeches, here we turn right along the road for a couple of hundred yards to make a brief diversion from our route to visit the Ordnance Survey trig pillar at West Hill, my 234th.

    This is another trig with great views across the Wylye Valley. Now we head back along the road to Dinton Beeches and take a track into the trees which heads south.  At a junction of paths we turn left and head along the southern edge of the copse to reach a minor road.

    We cross and pass a parking area and head along the drove on the route of the Monarch’s Way.

    The Monarch’s Way is a long distance walking route retracing the journey made by Charles II after the battle of Worcester.  The 615-mile route starts from Worcester and after a convoluted route reaches the Dorset coast and then heads east to finally end at Shoreham-on-Sea.  Over recent years I have walked a number of sections of the route, but this is the first time I have walked this stretch.

    This track is also an Ox Drove, a common term in this area for a track which was used to drive cattle to market.  This particular route linked Chicklade and Wilton. 

    The route is easy to follow we stay with the Monarch’s Way along the Ox Drove passing through farmland to reach a junction of paths with Fir Drove, here we stay with the Monarch’s Way to head uphill heading east.

    At a junction of tracks before reaching West Thornhills copse we leave the Monarch’s Way, which forks to the left, and take the right fork staying on the Ox Drove passing the copse and carrying on to reach East Thornhills.  Here we take a diversion from the track to hop into the field to bag the clearly visible trig point on Crouch’s Down, my 235th.

    When bagging trig points on arable land I always seek to visit them at a time when there are no crops in the field.  This is perfect, the field is still stubble from last year’s harvest.  This is another trig with cracking views.

    Back on the Ox Drove we continue east, ignoring footpaths off the main track to reach a junction at the end of a minor road.  There is a small parking area here and at the crossway of paths there is a milestone with the inscription “VI Miles from Sarum 1750”.

    We continue on the Ox Drove heading east and the track now heads uphill with more stunning views.

    Then we come across another milestone to the right of the track.  This is a large stone but the inscription has eroded.  We can just make out a “V”, but the rest is too faint to read.  Apparently it said “V Miles to Sarum 1750”.

    We come to a crossing of paths, but continue straight on towards Ugford Red Buildings.

    At a junction of paths by the farm buildings we turn left and keep left as the path forks, this takes us along a line of attractive beech trees.  

    As we near a hedge line of a field we take a diversion to follow the hedge line south to the Ordnance Survey trig pillar on Grovely Hill.  I have previously bagged this trig, but it is worth a revisit.

    Leaving our fourth trig of the day we walk back to the footpath and then continue north west through the trees.  At a junction of paths we turn right and then after a couple of hundred yards take a left along the wide track called First Broad Drive.  After 650 yards, just before the Grim’s Ditch joins the drove, we turn left into the trees in search of the Handsel Sisters.  These are ancient beech trees within this section of pine woodland.

    The Handsel sisters were born in Denmark and moved to the Wilton area.  Soon after they arrived an outbreak of small pox claimed 136 lives.  Locals were convinced the sisters were responsible for the deaths and they were accused of witchcraft and an alliance with the devil.  Without an official hearing they were taken to Grovely Woods and bludgeoned to death.  They were then buried some distance apart to stop them conspiring against their murderers.

    There are conflicting tales about the origins of the beech trees, one is that they were planted to mark the graves as a warning to others who might consider practicing witchcraft.  The other is that the trees grew on top of the unmarked graves as a reminder to locals of their murders.

    Of the four original trees three remain.  The largest of the trees is strewn with offerings to the sisters.  There are reported sightings of the ghosts of the sisters in this area of the woods and pages on the internet dedicated to the spooky goings on here.  I am not sure what to believe, but the trees have grown in a very strange way and there is certainly a feel about this area that made me slightly uneasy.  I would definitely not wander up here after dark!

    Back on the First Broad Drove we head west to soon pass a permitted bridleway on the right.  

    A few hundred yards further on at the next ride we turn right and follow this to a five ways junction of tracks here we go left following a ride going northwest and keep heading in this direction at two further ride junctions.  The path we are on starts to descend steadily towards the forestry track we had started our walk on.

    On reaching the track we turn right and walk a couple of hundred yards back to our starting point.  Our walk has covered just over fifteen miles.  It has been a cracking day with sunshine all round and some stunning views.  I am sure I will be returning here again very soon to walk with Lynnie.

    You can view this 15 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Explorer Map OS 130 Salisbury & Stonehenge 

    26th November 2020

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • The Old Shaftesbury Drove from Fovant

    The Old Shaftesbury Drove from Fovant

    We are in the midst of a second lockdown so my walking in the last few weeks has been restricted to being out with one other person.  When I was planning my walking for this week and checking with Lynnie if there were any days I should avoid she asked “When is it my turn to come out walking with you?” So today it is Lynnie’s day for a walk!

    We start out from the small parking area close to St George’s Church, Fovant (SP3 5LA) (Grid Ref: ST996295) and head south along Church Lane to walk back towards the village.  On reaching a grass triangle with a bench we turn right into Moor Hill.  As the road bends to the right we take a track on the left that soon leads through hedges.

    We stay on this track for just over half a mile to the outskirts of the village of Sutton Mandeville.  Here we turn right towards the village along a lane, Sutton Hill.  At a sign to the church we turn right to make a detour to visit the 13th century church of All Saints. The tower was added to the church in the 15th century and restoration work carried out in 1862.  In the churchyard there is an unusual sundial.

    Leaving the church we head back to Sutton Hill and turn right to continue along the lane and stay with this to pass Cromwell Manor. At a junction of roads we turn right and follow Lagpond Lane.  At the point where this lane turns sharp to the right we take a drove on the left, Hut Lane Path, towards the A30.  Hut Lane gets its name because it was the route to Cribbage Hut public house, this is now closed and known as Lancers House.

    After crossing the A30 we continue straight on along another track, Buxbury Hollow, which heads towards woodland where it starts a steady ascent up Buxbury Hill.  After going through a gate onto access land we continue up the track.  At a fork in the path we go left, there are stunning views along the escarpment from here.

    Following a grassy track we reach a gate and go through to take a path along the edge of the next field with a fence to our right.  This leads to another gate, after going through we join the Old Shaftesbury Drove and turn left.  Dating from medieval times this was the main route between Salisbury and Shaftesbury and drovers would lead cattle and livestock along this route.  These days it is a popular route for people who gain pleasure from driving their 4X4 vehicles along country tracks, as a result many sections have deep puddles making it necessary to skirt around on the muddy banks.

    We stay with the drove, ignoring footpath to the right and left to reach the Fovant Hut.  Now a private home this was once the location of an Inn on the drover’s route.  According to the local history group this inn dates from around 1757 when the landlord was a chap called William Kennell.  Apparently there is no record of when it ceased to be a pub, its demise brought on by the turnpiking of the Lower Road (now the A30) in 1787.

    After crossing a minor road we pass disused poultry houses on the right and continue along the drove.  This section of the route is less rutted and is easy going.  We pass the Chiselbury hill fort on our left and stop to admire the contours of Gurston Holes.

    At a crossing of footpaths besides a reservoir we go left through a gate, leaving the drove, and head across an arable field.

    After crossing a stile we enter Access Land on Compton Down.  There are splendid views along the escarpment from here.  During World War I the fields below were the location of Army Camps for troops preparing to fight in the conflict.

    Our route goes straight down the steep escarpment with an avenue of trees in front of us as our bearing.

    At the foot of the hill we cross a stile and then join the tarmac track between the trees heading towards Manor Farm.

    After passing the farm buildings and houses we reach the A30, here we turn right and then soon cross with care to take the road leading into Compton Chamberlayne.  As a nipper I recall coming to this village to watch my father play cricket, the ground was tucked in between the lane we are on and the A30.  Sadly like so many village cricket clubs this one has folded and the ground is no longer used.  As we enter the village we reach the cemetery on our left, this is the location of a number of Commonwealth War Graves.

    Reading the names and regiments of those buried here is a poignant reminder of the tragedy of war.  Many of these graves are for Australian servicemen.  Some of whom, just boys, had joined up to fight and spent months travelling by sea, leaving the Australian summer to arrive in a British winter, sadly their lives were ended by respiratory disease.

    Leaving the cemetery we continue through this attractive village to reach St Michael’s Church. This church was originally built in the 13th century with additions in later years, in 1877 a major restoration was undertaken paid for by the villagers.  

    We briefly pop inside to admire its impressive interior.

    Leaving the Church we turn right and then almost immediately take a footpath on a track on the left.  This leads steadily uphill and becomes a fine sunken track.

    As the path levels out it continues besides woodland to reach Home Farm.  Here we keep heading west along a farm track, passing barns and then continuing between fields.  From here we get a good view of the Fovant Regimental Badges.   These were created by soldiers garrisoned in the valley below the Downs during World War I.  The first badge was cut in 1916 and a further nineteen badges were created.  Of the originals nine remain and further badges have been added to the surrounding downs.  

    The path now leads along the edge of woodland with a steep slope to our right.  On reaching a track, Green Drove, we turn right and head steadily downhill.

    At a junction with a road we turn left and walk along the road, Catherine Ford Lane, with military security fencing to our right.  As the lane bends to the left we take a footpath on the right and then within a few yards another on the left to head along on the edge of a field with a hedge on our right.

    Following the footpath signs we leave the field and enter woodland and descend gradually to reach a bridge over a stream.

    The path continues besides the stream and then joins Church Lane where we turn right and return to our starting point.  Our walk has covered eleven miles on a cracking November day.  There have been showers about but thankfully we have avoided getting wet.  As we leave Fovant on the A30 we spot a stunning rainbow so pull into a lay-by to capture the scene.

    You can view this 11-mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Explorer Map 118 Shaftesbury & Cranborne Chase and  OS 130 Salisbury & Stonehenge 

    19th November 2020

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • A White Horse and Moonrakers

    A White Horse and Moonrakers

    At the start of the year my walking buddy Mandy suggested we try to visit all the Wiltshire White Horses in 2020.  Normally this would not be too difficult to organize, however the travel restrictions around the Covid pandemic has made it more challenging.  Today we are setting off to the Pewsey Vale to bag the Alton Barnes White Horse and in the process also visit Milk Hill the second highest point in Wiltshire.

    The starting point for our walk is the free car park at Walkers Hill besides the road between Alton Barnes and Lockridge (Grid Ref: SU116638).  Leaving the car park we cross the road and go through a gate and then immediately take a gate on our left and follow the path to reach another gate.  In front of us is Walkers Hill but we take a path that goes to the right and gradually ascends to get fine view across the Pewsey Vale.

    The path is clear and easy to follow and we soon get a great view of the Alton Barnes White Horse.  Originally there were thirteen White Horses in Wiltshire, but now only eight remain. This horse was first cut in 1812 when Robert Pile of Manor Farm in Alton Barnes paid twenty pounds to John Thorne, known as Jack the Painter, to design and cut the horse.  

    With the white horses at Pewsey, Devizes, Marlborough, Cherhill, Hackpen Hill, Broad Town and Westbury in the bag this one today completes the full set.  As we continue our walk on the path above the white horse we discuss which has been our favourite.  The most impressive is Westbury, but as that is now concrete we are not sure it really counts, on balance I favour Cherhill and we agree the most disappointing is Marlborough.

    We are following the route of the White Horse Trail and we stay with this as we head around the top of the downs enjoying stunning views.

    We are now on Milk Hill, the highest point in Wiltshire standing at 968 feet above sea level.  It is said to be 26 centimetres higher than its neighbour Tan Hill.  We stay with the White Horse Way until we reach a track where we turn left and then at a junction of paths continue heading west on a path that follows the impressive medieval earthworks.

    We stay with the path on the earthworks for just over a mile and then at a junction of paths turn left to follow a path heading south along the edge of a field.  The OS Map shows there is trig point just over the fence, but from research prior to setting out today I know that it has been moved to the south west corner of the field so we continue on the path until we reach a junction of fences and then take a brief detour to visit the relocated Tan Hill trig pillar.  

    This trig is the 232nd I have bagged.  It is disappointing it has been moved, but rather that than destroyed.  It is not the first I have come across that is not in its original location, but the views from here are still impressive and we can see the Cherhill Monument in the far distance.

    From the trig we head back to the path and follow this downhill through cattle to go through a gate to reach a junction of paths.

    We take the right fork following the path to meet a minor road at Cannings Cross Farm.  Here a notice states this is the site of the real Moonraker Pond.  Legend has it that in the 1780’s locals hid smuggled contraband in a pond to avoid the revenue men. Whilst retrieving it the revenue men arrived and the locals explained their activity by pointing to the moons reflection in the pond and saying they were trying to rake the big cheese from the pond. The revenue men laughed thinking them simple folk and went on their way.  The contraband was then retrieved.  This tale has led to people born in Wiltshire being known as Moonraker’s, a term that applies to both Mandy and I.  However, there are many ponds in Wiltshire claiming to have been the source of this tale and strangely there does not appear to be a pond marked on the map at Cross Cannings Farm.

    The footpath leads through the farm and then continues across fields.  To our right the map shows a long barrow so when we reach a track we turn right to make a slight detour to explore.  This is a modern Long Barrow built in 2014 to enable 340 people to have their ashes interned.  It has been aligned so that the sunrise of the winter solstice lights up the internal chamber.

    Returning to our route we go back along the track and then cross the Woodway Bridge over the Kennet and Avon Canal and immediately turn left to join the canal towpath.  Over recent years I have walked many sections of the canal, but this is new to me.  It appears a number of permanent barge dwellers are moored here.

    We stay with the towpath to pass under All Cannings Bridge (No.127) and continue on until we reach England’s Bridge (No.126).

    It is around lunchtime so we decide to leave the canal and cross the bridge to wander into Stanton St Bernard to visit the church and hopefully find a bench for lunch.  In the field beside the track we see a World War II pillbox.  This is one of the many pillboxes along the Kennet and Avon Canal and formed what was known as the Blue Line.  This was one of a number of “Stop Lines” that were established in the event of a German invasion during the war.

    We soon reach All Saints Church.  There was originally a church here in the 13th century which had a tower added in the 15th century.  In 1832 all the church apart from the tower was rebuilt.  As anticipated we find a bench in the churchyard which is an ideal spot to stop for our refreshments.

    The church is locked so we are unable to look inside.  It is not clear if it is locked due to concerns about Covid or for security.  Either way I find it odd that buildings traditionally providing people with a place for reflection and sanctuary are locked, especially at times when so many are struggling with the impact of the pandemic. We continue our walk and Mandy, who unlike me is a believer moans about the church hierarchy and its locked church policy.  I think a letter to the diocese will be winging its way soon after she returns home.

    Rather than retrace our steps to the canal we decide to walk through the village and rejoin it at Stanton Bridge.  This is straightforward and we keep right at every junction until we get to the canal where we rejoin the towpath heading east.  This soon leads us to the Barge Inn at Honeystreet.

    We now have over three miles on the canal towpath as it heads east.

    After two miles we reach the ornate Ladies Bridge built by John Rennie in 1808.  The design was at the behest of local land owner Susannah Wroughton and the reference to Ladies refers to her and her daughter, also named Susannah.

    Almost a mile from Ladies Bridge we reach Wilcot Bridge.  Here we leave the towpath to join a minor road running parallel to the canal.  After a few hundred yards the road bends to the left away from the canal and we start to head steadily uphill.  At a junction we go left and then almost immediately right.  Reaching a crossroads we go straight across on a road signposted to Huish and Draycot and soon reach Draycot Farm.

    The road bends to the north and we stay with it for a few hundred yards and then as it turns to the right we go straight on along a footpath into a field. After a second gate the path starts to steeply ascend Draycot Hill.

    At the top of the hill we go through a gate and join the Tan Hill Way and Mid Wilts Way heading west.  This is a cracking hill to walk along with numerous inlets with great contours.  They look spectacular on the map but even better when viewed from above.

    The path is well marked and passes through gates and by a large dew pond.  These ponds are a common feature on chalk downland.  They were dug out and lined with clay so they filled naturally with rainwater, thereby providing drinking water for the grazing livestock.  

    For the last couple of hours rain has threatened, now it arrives.  We are walking directly into the wind with no protection from the elements so we quickly don our full waterproofs.

    The route is now very straightforward, the well worn path leads us back to our starting point at the car park.  Despite the last half hour of rain our walk has been a cracking 15 mile route.  

    You can view this 15 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Explorer Map – 157 – Marlborough & Savernake Forest

    11th November 2020

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Reaching 2,020 Miles in 2020

    Reaching 2,020 Miles in 2020

    2020 is the third year I have taken on the challenge of “Walking the Year”, it started back in 2018 when I decided to walk 2,018 miles in the year and raise funds for the Trussell Trust.  I enjoyed the challenge so much that I took it on again in 2019 and again this year.  Alongside this challenge I have been trying to visit each of the Wiltshire White Horses in 2020, this was the idea of my walking buddy Mandy and so far we have visited six of the eight.

    I am out walking with Mandy today and we have planned our walk so I will pass the 2,020 mile target and we will also be bagging the Broad Town white horse.  Despite living in the same village the current pandemic restrictions mean we travel separately to the car park at Barbury Castle Country Park (Grid Ref: SU156761).

    From the car park we head west towards the Iron Age Hillfort of Barbury Castle.  We visited this spot on a walk earlier in the year and it is surprisingly quiet today.  

    Our route goes through the ramparts of the castle and then descends to a minor road where we cross and join the Ridgeway path and within a few hundred yards reach a junction of tracks where we turn right.  The  map shows we should reach a bridleway on the left after 500 metres, but there is no obvious sign of it on the ground.  So we continue along the track heading towards some hangers near Uffcott Farm.  There are fine views of Uffcott Down behind us.

    We stay with this track as it goes around fields to reach the hangers and driveway to Uffcott Farm.  The hangers are part of Wroughton Airfield.  The airfield opened in 1940 and was used for the assembly and storage of aircraft during World War II.  

    On reaching a minor road we continue straight on and then after approximately 100 metres take a footpath on the right through a field of sheep.  The path turns to the left close to a security fence and then goes north for a short distance along the edge of a field before going through a gate into an area of shrub land.  We follow the path to a minor road where we continue north to pass more hangers and the entrance to the National Collections Centre.

    In 1979 the Science Museum took ownership of 545 acres of the former airfield and use the hangers to store large objects.  Apparently this includes the world’s first Hovercraft, a Boeing 247 aircraft, a TV Detector Van and a wide range of other historical artefacts.

    Staying with the minor road we reach the A4361 which we cross and continue on a minor road opposite.  Soon we arrive at an Ordnance Survey trig point sitting beside the road.  This is the 225th trig I have bagged.

    We stay with the road ignoring two footpaths on the right.  Then as we reach Salthrop Farm we take a footpath heading north across a field towards Salthrop Wood.  On reaching the edge of the woodland we turn left and follow the edge of the field.

    We cross a minor road and continue heading west along the edge of Basset Down Wood.  At a fork in the path we go right and descend through the trees to a junction of paths where we go left over a footbridge.

    The path now goes through the bottom of Quidhampton Wood to reach a junction of paths ,here we head south on a path through the trees to reach another footbridge which we cross to enter a field.  We follow the path to a crossing of paths below Bincknoll Castle.  Our route is to stay below the escarpment now on the route of the White Horse Trail.

    We stay with the White Horse Trail until we reach the chalk carving on the side of the hill.  This is the Broad Town White Horse, the seventh White Horse we have visited this year.  The origins of this horse are unclear, there are reports that it was first carved in 1863, but others suggest it was done in the early 1800’s.  Restoration work was done in 1991, being so close it is difficult to a appreciate the carving.  So we make plans to view it from Broad Town a bit further along on our walk.

    From the carving we take a path which is a steady ascent of Snow Hill.  

    On entering a field at the top of the hill we turn right and follow the fence line to a gate and then enter open access land and follow a path along the top of the escarpment.

    Nearing a ‘B’ road we turn to the right to follow a path descending steeply to reach a minor road.  We follow this road in a northerly direction towards Broadtown.  From here we get a better view of the White Horse.

    In the village we turn left and then right to follow a road to reach Christ Church.  This church was built in 1844 and we make use of a convenient bench to stop for our lunch.

    Refreshed from lunch we resume our walk by retracing our steps back into the village and rejoining the White Horse Trail by turning right along Pye Lane.  We continue on the Trail passing Springfield House to join a track that soon enters a field.

    Our route stays with the White Horse Trail as we head towards the church tower of St Peter’s Church in Clyffe Pypard.

    The path runs besides the church and we pop in to have a quick look.  There are a few Commonwealth War Graves here, including A.G Williams a Pilot with the Royal New Zealand Airforce who died aged 20 and Flying Officer A.G Moss a Flying Instructor who died aged 26 both lost their lives the on 2nd March 1943.  Presumably these two were stationed at RAF Clyffe Pypard which operated as an Elementary Flying Training School from 13 September 1941 until disbanded on 5th November 1947.  The grass runways have since returned to farmland. 

    Resuming our walk we pass the Goddard Arms. According to the Parish website this pub was once at the centre of village life but it is now closed and there are concerns it might be lost to a private dwelling.  There are plans to try and purchase the property and run it as a community pub.  Let’s hope they are successful, sadly too many pubs are being closed and communities are not getting the opportunity to safeguard local assets.

    Just after the pub we take a footpath on the left up a driveway and follow the way markers around a garden to enter woodland.  The path now ascends steeply through trees to reach a minor road where we turn left and continue uphill to reach a junction .  Here we turn right on a lane heading towards Nebo Farm.  Soon we pop through a gap in the hedge to visit the Nebo Farm Ordnance Survey Trig Pillar located close to an aerial mast, this is my 226th bagged.

    Back on the road we continue past the entrance to Nebo Farm and then meeting a junction with a minor road we take a footpath on the left going through the hedge line and across a field towards barns.

    As we near a cottage a chap helpfully gives us directions and we take a track passing to the right of the cottages and then follow a footpath straight across a field towards Stanmore Copse.  In the far distance we can see the Landsdowne Monument on Cherhill Hill.

    We stay with the path heading in a southerly direction to reach a tarmac lane near to cottages.  Here we turn left and follow this lane to a minor road where we turn right and head into Winterbourne Bassett.  We continue through the village to pass the Winterbourne pub, which was previously known as the White Horse.

    Just after passing the pub we take a slight detour from our route to visit the church of St Katherine and St Peter.  Parts of this church date from the 14th and 15th centuries and it underwent a restoration in 1857-8. It is a fine looking church, but unfortunately we are not able to go inside.

    After walking around the church we head back to the road and turn right and go steadily uphill to reach the A4361.  We turn right and then within a few yards cross the road and take a footpath on the left which heads uphill on a track.  We get a good view of the Hackpen White Horse from here.

    This track takes us on a steady ascent before reaching the base of the escarpment and then it is a short ferocious climb.  

    At a junction of paths on Berwick Bassett Down we continue along the track now heading east to reach a junction with the Ridgeway.  Here we turn left.

    Our route is now very straight forward following the Ridgeway path along the top of Hackpen Hill.  It is here that I finally notch up my 2,020 miles for the year.

    I now make a light diversion from the Ridgeway to visit the Ordnance Survey trig point on Hackpen Hill.  I tried to bag this trig earlier in the year, but there were crops in the field so decided to wait until I could access it without doing any damage.  It is my third trig of the day and the 227th I have bagged.

    Returning to the Ridgeway I rejoin Mandy and we continue along the track to cross a road and then staying with the Ridgeway head back towards Barbury Castle.

    As we near the Hillfort we cross the road and head up to the ramparts.  It is a cracking evening and there is an absolutely stunning sunset.

    Now it is just a short walk back to the car park.  We have timed it just right because the light is failing fast.  It has been a cracking walk covering just over eighteen and a half miles.  We now just have the Alton Barnes White Horse to bag to complete the full set of Wiltshire horses in 2020.

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Explorer OS ExplorerMaps 169 Cirencester & Swindon and 157 Marlborough & Savernake Forest

    You can view this 18.5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    15th October 2020

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Westbury White Horse

    Westbury White Horse

    I am out again today with my walking buddy Mandy as we continue our quest to walk to all eight of the Wiltshire White Horses in 2020.  The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have made it difficult for us to plan our walks, but we have so far managed to visit the chalk equine carvings at Cherhill, Devizes, Pewsey, Hackpen and Marlborough, so we still have three to go.  The plan for today is to visit the Westbury White Horse,

    In bagging the White Horses we have decided not to go for the easy option of parking nearby and having a short walk.  All our walks and over fifteen miles, we take the view that a bit of effort makes reaching the white horses even more enjoyable.  So today, rather than park at Bratton Camp on Westbury Hill and go to the horse, we are starting at Warminster and having a good walk along the downs to get there.

    Despite living close to each other in the in the same village we are travelling in separate cars to our starting point in the Western Car park outside the Civic Centre in Warminster.  Leaving the car park we wander into the High Street and turn left.  On reaching a mini roundabout we go left into George Street and then at the next roundabout about continue into Silver Street.  After twenty yards we turn right into Ash Walk .  Where this road meets Manor Gardens we continue straight on along a footpath, still on Ash Walk, to reach St Deny’s Church.

    We turn right on a footpath besides the church graveyard to reach playing fields. The path crosses the field besides trees and on reaching Portway Lane we turn right and then almost immediately left to follow a path through a housing estate to reach Hollybush Lane.  We turn left and then within a hundred yards take a footpath between garages to reach a bridge across the railway line.

    After crossing the railway line we follow the fenced path between houses to reach Westbury Road where we turn right.  Within a hundred yards we take a footpath on the left leading up the tarmac driveway of Southdown House.

    The footpath soon leaves the driveway heading west through trees at the foot of Arn Hill.  Later I discover the route is known as the Lime Kiln Way and in these woods lie the remains of an old lime kiln.  I am keen on old lime kilns so will have to return sometime to see if I can locate it.  

    The path leads to a minor road where we turn left and take the driveway to West Wilts Golf Club.  Very soon a footpath veers to the right leaving the driveway and starts to ascend around the edge of Kidnappers Hole.  Apparently this was a site of the chalk pit that was used in the lime kilns.  I have been unable to find out why it is called Kidnappers Hole, but in researching I did find reports of UFO sightings here in the 1960’s.

    The path continues along the fence line, across the valley is the impressive Battlesbury Hillfort.  It is a spot I have not visited so make a mental note to ensure that it features in my future walking plans.

    To our left is the West Wilts Golf Course,  this is a course I have never played.  Its hilly terrain suggests it would be a challenging walk round.  Perhaps if I decide to dust the clubs off one day I will venture up here to knock a ball about.

    We have now joined the route of the Imber Range Perimeter Path.  This is a route Mandy and I have discussed walking.  It is a good day out and as the name suggests runs for 30 miles around the edge of the military firing range.  Time is running out for us to do this walk in 2020 so perhaps it will be on our list for 2021.

    As well as being the route of the Imber Range Perimeter Path, this is also the route of the Wessex Ridgeway which is a long distance path travelling 138 miles between Marlborough and Lyme Regis.

    At a junction of tracks we  turn to the left and head north to stay with the Imber Range Perimeter Path.  There are cracking views in front of us and we can clearly see the path on the horizon a mile away.  There is a good stretch of downland walking before we get there.

    After passing a barn in a hollow we leave the track we are on and go through a gate on the right to follow the Imber Range path signs.  The path drops into a hollow and then ascends steeply up a chalk escarpment.  It is a warm day so as we near the top we stop to admire the view behind and look back to where we were twenty minutes ago.

    After going through a kissing gate we turn right along a well-made track following the Imber Range Path signs.  The route has now joined the Mids Wilts Way, a sixty-eight mile long distance path crossing Wiltshire between the village of Ham, on the Berkshire border, and Mere on the Somerset border.

    We are now going along the top of Upton Cow Down and at a gate we take a brief diversion from the footpath to visit the trig point on the edge of a field.  This is the 213th Ordnance Survey trig pillar I have bagged.

    Back on the path we continue heading in a  northerly direction  passing the massive chalk quarry.  Permission for this quarry was granted following a ministerial decision in 1947, over the years it has expanded massively.  The chalk extracted fed the nearby cement works in Westbury.

    We pass the perimeter of the quarry and join a path besides the road leading to  a car park.  As we go along we get our first glimpse of the Westbury White Horse.

    Nearing the car park we turn right still with the Imber Range Path and follow this to reach  White Horse Farm where we bag my 214th trig point, which is located in undergrowth behind a barn.

    Our route is now on a track, The Portway, heading north, we have departed from the Imber Range path.  At  a junction of tarmac tracks we go left to walk through Bratton Hillfort.  We are above the White Horse and cannot really get much of a view of it.  

    What I had not appreciated until this point was that despite being originally a chalk carving the horse is now a painted concrete structure.  There has been a White Horse on this hill for over 300 years and it is the oldest White Horse in Wiltshire.

    We descend Bratton Hill a little to see if there is a better view, but the full majesty of this carving cannot really be appreciated close up.  The original shape of the horse is very different from that seen today, but in 1778 a Mr George Gee had it recut to much the shape it is today. In 1873 it was restored and the in the 1950’s it was concreted for the first time.  This concrete was repainted in 1995.

    The views along the escarpment from here are stunning.

    We return to the ramparts of Bratton Hillfort and follow this in a clockwise direction to reach a gate where we enter downland and  find a suitable spot for lunch.  There are cracking views across the plain below us.

    Resuming our walk we follow a path down to reach a gate besides a pull in area just off the Portway.  We go through the gate and then  turn left to take a bridlepath heading north.  This descends towards the B3098 Westbury Road.

    On reaching the road we cross and continue north on a tarmac lane, The Hollow.  At a T-junction we turn left along a track, Lower Westbury Road and pass small holdings.  One of which has an old Denning Root Drill besides a barn.  

    As the track continues we pass the end of Westbury Golf Club and get an impressive view of the White Horse.

    We pass a car park and then reach the B3098 and turn right to soon join the pavement.  After a couple of hundred yards we reach Westbury Cemetery on the left and leave the busy road to walk through the cemetery towards a footpath. We pass the impressive Lopes Mausoleum, built in 1909 to house George Lopes (1836-1909) and his wife Georgina (died 1912).

    We then look at the Phipps Mausoleum, built in a gothic style in 1874 to house the wealthy local landowner John Lewis Phipps.

    Heading south through the cemetery we join a footpath and turn right.  The path leads to a road which we cross and join a road “The Butts”.  Walking along this road we notice some interesting houses on the right and take a look to see their origins. This is Prospect Square.  The land was given by Abraham Laverton, a local mill owner, and 32 houses were built to provide rental income which would be used to support the seven almshouses at the top of the square.

    Interestingly Abraham Laverton had stood for Parliament in 1868 against John Lewis Phipps, whose Mausoleum we had just looked at, Phipps won the vote which was by a show of hands.  There were allegations of intimidation of the voters and at a subsequent trial Phipps lost his seat.  Laverton contested the re-election against Phipps’ brother and again lost.  But as a result of the original trial the 1872 Ballot Act came into being which introduced secret ballots at elections.

    Resuming our walk we continue along The Butts to reach a footpath where we turn left and go between houses to cross a road and continue uphill on the path to reach arable fields.  At a junction of paths we turn right and follow a track to reach a pumping station where we join Wellhead Lane and follow this to reach the A350 Warminster Road.  We cross and join the Old Dilton Road with a signpost to Old Dilton and St Mary’s Church.  We follow this lane until we reach the stunning church.

    St Mary’s Church was built in the 14th century  and has a stunning interior with box pews.

    Inside the church there is also a small room which apparently was once used as a school room.

    The font is said to date from the 15th century.  I am not a religious man, but I can appreciate the splendour of this building.  Over the years it will have seen many christenings, marriages and funerals of local people.

    After exploring the church we continue our walk by heading back along the Old Dilton Road for a couple of hundred yards and then pick up a footpath on the right crossing fields to Biss Bottom.  The path leads through trees and then joins a track which we follow to reach Upton Scudumore.  In the village we turn right at the Angel Inn and follow the road through the village to reach St Mary’s Church.

    Passing the church we turn right on a minor road leading to the A350.  We cross the main road with care and join another minor road.  After a couple of hundred yards, just as the road starts to bend to the left we take a footpaths on the right across fields.

    After crossing four fields we reach a railway line, we cross and then turn left to follow a path to the edge of a housing estate.  We then skirt around the houses to eventually reach Portway Lane and pass the playing fields we crossed earlier.  We have the option of retracing our steps, but decide to continue along Portway Lane.  On reaching a junction we turn right and soon pass Portway House.  A blue plaque explains that this house was built for the clothier Edward Middleton in 1722, then housed the agents for Longleat, the Urban District Council 1955-74, and public library 1957-82.

    At a mini roundabout we turn left to join the High Street and from here we wander through the town back to our starting point.  The walk has covered fifteen and a half miles and we have seen some really interesting things along the way.  We now have only two White Horses left to visit this year, Alton Barnes and Broad Town so should be able to get them in before too long.

    You can view this 15.5mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here (Subscription to OS Maps Required)

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 143 Warminster & Trowbridge

    31st August 2020

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)

  • A Circuit To Etchilhampton Hill

    A Circuit To Etchilhampton Hill

    We are nearly at the end of this short trip away, but there is still time for one more walk and an opportunity to bag a new Ordnance Survey trig pillar along the way.  Visiting trig pillars has long been a feature of our walking, for years they were ancillary.  If we happened to pass one along the way that was fine, but rarely did we make a special effort to reach one.  However, a couple of years ago a Twitter buddy suggested I start logging them.  Since then they have become a regular feature when planning my walks.

    Once again our walk starts from the pay and display car park in Station Road close to the centre of Devizes.  We leave the car park and turn left to walk up to a mini roundabout where we turn left crossing a canal bridge and then cross the road to take the towpath signed for Devizes Wharf.  As we near the Wharf, which is on the opposite side, we fork away from the towpath going up steps to join a lane with a World War II Pill Box.  This is one of a series of such boxes built along the edge of the canal to form the GHQ Blue Line a section of the General Headquarters Line which compartmentalised the country to thwart the expected German Invasion.

    We continue along the lane reaching the cemetery where we make a brief diversion to look around.  This cemetery was opened in 1878 and over the years has been extended a number of times.

    Back on the lane we cross the canal bridge and stop to look at Devizes Wharf.  In normal circumstances I imagine this is a must stop spot with its cafe, museum and theatre but today it is quiet.  Back in the days when the canal was in use as a trading route this would have been a major hub for goods coming in and out of the thriving town.

    We rejoin the towpath and head east through Devizes.  The Kennet and Avon canal goes between Reading and Bristol, 87 miles of waterway, the section from Reading to Newbury follows close to the River Kennet and from Bath to Bristol is close to the River Avon. It was designed and built by John Rennie between 1794 and 1810.

    Like most canals this one suffered competition from the railways and the opening of the Great Western Railway in 1841 removed most of its traffic. By 1852 GWR had taken over control of the canal and increased tolls significantly to persuade the remaining traffic to move to the railway.  Then in 1925 GWR sought to close the canal all together but by then pleasure boats had started to use it.

    After World War II the Transport Act 1947 saw the canal transfer to the British Transport Commission, under their stewardship the canal fell into decline with large sections becoming unnavigable.  In 1962 the charitable company the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust was established and they immediately started work on restoring sections and by 2003 the canal was fully navigable again.

    We continue to walk through this section of the canal to reach Devizes Marina.

    Now the canal heads into open countryside.  Whilst I find it interesting walking towpaths through towns I much prefer it when it is less built up, so this section is a pleasant relief and the towpath is a lot quieter.

    At Horton Bridge, with the Bridge Inn besides it, we leave the canal and join the road sign posted to Coate and Little Horton. 

    This lane heads south, initially following the route of the canal, after passing an overgrown World War II pillbox it leaves the canal. The route now follows the straight country lane to reach Little Horton and continues on to pass the smart looking cricket ground in Coate.  At a cross roads we pass the bus shelter with the telephone kiosk beside it now housing a defibrillator.   

    Now we continue to head south through the village on the Etchilhampton Road and pass the car park of the New Inn pub, our route is still on the Etchilhampton Road but first we pop up the lane to have a look at the pub for future reference.  I always take the view that if a pub looks cared for outside there is every chance it is well worth popping in.  This is adorned with flowers and looks a delight, so when things are a bit safer we will return here to sample the food and ale.

    Back on Etchilhampton Road we continue out of the village still heading south.  The road starts to ascend and we get a good view of Tan Hill and the Alton Barnes White Horse.  It was only a few weeks ago that we walked there whilst staying in Charlton St Peter.

    At the brow of the hill we leave the road and take a bridleway on the right which follows a broad grass track heading steadily uphill.

    As we ascend there are fine views across the Vale of Pewsey.  Until earlier this year I had not walked in this area, it has now become a favourite local spot.

    The path now runs besides a fence continuing up to the top of Etchilhampton Hill.

    At the top of the hill besides the path is an Ordinance Survey trig pillar, this is the 212th I have bagged.

    From the trig we follow the track descending the hill and on reaching a crossing of tracks turn left to reach a minor road.  Our route is straight across but first I make a quick detour by turning right and walking downhill for a few hundred yards to the junction with the A342 to have a look at the monument on the junction which is a lion on a plinth.  I have driven by this many times but never known why it is here.

    The monument commemorates James Long, he lived in Devizes and in 1768 he promoted a new road to connect Nursteed in Devizes to Lydeway in Urchfont.  The route he proposed avoided the steep slopes of Etchilhampton Hill and was therefore a much easier journey for horses, oxen and the drovers.  Local folklore has it that when the clock on St James Church in Devizes strikes midnight the lion leaves the plinth and visits a farm pond in nearby Stert to quench his thirst.

    I walk back up the hill to the crossing of paths and find Lynnie and Crosby sat in the shade of a tree.  It is a very hot afternoon and both decided there was little benefit in adding any distance to their walk!

    We now head across the road and follow the track down to the A342 which we cross and take the lane into Stert.  In the village we head towards the church and then at a fork in the road go left downhill.  After a few hundred yards the road becomes a track and we follow this down to reach a footpath leading over a stream.

    After crossing the foot bridge we turn right and start with the path that leads through Stert Valley with the stream to our right.  On reaching a junction with Sleight Lane we turn left heading towards Sleight Farm.

    The harvest is well under way and the dust from the combines billows across the tracks ahead and the tractors coming down the lane show little sign of slowing as they pass.  There is rain forecast for later, but the few seconds it would take to slow to a reasonable speed to pass pedestrians would not make any difference to how quickly the grain is stored.

    At a junction of tracks we turn right, thankfully walking away from the fields that are being harvested.

    This track leads north towards Devizes and as we near the outskirts of the town we pass a skatepark and football pitches to join Green Lane.  We stay with this road as it heads through a residential area and then becomes pedestrianised.  At a road junction we turn left and follow the pavement to a mini roundabout where we cross to join Wick Lane.  We walk on the pavement besides the lane to reach a junction with the Potterne Road where we turn right and then after a hundred yards take a footpath on the left.

    The footpath leads to Queens Road where we turn left and walk to the junction with Hartmoor Road.  We turn right and head to the junction with Hillworth Road.  Crossing the road we follow the footpath along the edge of the grounds of Devizes Castle.

    This path brings us to St John’s churchyard and from here we wander into the town.  We set off on our walk in mid afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day, so it is now early evening and it is pleasant to wander around the town.  Few folk are about so it is an ideal time to look at some of the stunning old buildings.

    If we were not in the midst of a pandemic we might have stopped in one of the pubs for a bite to eat and a pint, we have earned it having walked almost twelve miles on a hot day.  But we are being extremely cautious and also should get back to the caravan to pack up for our trip home tomorrow.  With overnight rain forecast we need to get the awning down before it gets wet!

    To follow this walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL157 Marlborough & Savernake Forest and OL130 Salisbury & Stonehenge

    You can view this 11.5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    30th July 2020

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.