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Home , Alton Barnes White Horse, Combe Gibbet, Cotswolds, Crofton Pumping Station, Fyfield Down, Hill figure

Leisure riding Leisure co.uk. Marlborough: © Abby George. Kids in Bluebells: © Sharyn Ladds. Rolling Contours: © John Cruise. Off-road Cycling: © Sustrans. © Cycling: Off-road Cruise. John © Contours: Rolling Ladds. Sharyn © Bluebells: in Kids George. Abby © Marlborough: co.uk.

Horse, Stone Circle, , Dog Walkers, Signpost, Walking at , Bridleway Sign, Hackpen Hill, Leisure Riding: © GreatWestWay. © Riding: Leisure Hill, Hackpen Sign, Bridleway Cherhill, at Walking Signpost, Walkers, Dog Hill, Silbury Circle, Stone Avebury Horse,

of rights of way.” of rights of

Photos: Photos: : © Vale of the White Horse Council. Woodborough Hill: © Dave Gray. Lapwing: © Barry Stalker. Alton Barnes White White Barnes Alton Stalker. Barry © Lapwing: Gray. Dave © Hill: Woodborough Council. Horse White the of Vale © Horse: White Uffington

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Distance Walkers Association has a Wiltshire a has Association Walkers Distance on a warm day), veteran trees at Ashmansworth at trees veteran day), warm a on

ramblers.org.uk ), the Long Long the ), ( counties four the (where you might be lucky enough to see an adder adder an see to enough lucky be might you (where

groups to join. The Ramblers are active across across active are Ramblers The join. to groups There are heathlands like that at Snelsmore Common Common Snelsmore at that like heathlands are There GreatWestWay.co.uk Great West Way: Way: West Great

If you would like company there are numerous walking walking numerous are there company like would you If

www.visitpewseyvale.co.uk Vale of : Pewsey: of Vale wheel above. wheel

Hackpen Hill Hackpen 01672 512487 01672

Marlborough Tourist Information: Tel: Tel: Information: Tourist Marlborough Wayfarer’s Walk all of which are featured on OS maps. maps. OS on featured are which of all Walk Wayfarer’s summer visitor while red kites and buzzards swoop and and swoop buzzards and kites red while visitor summer

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VisitWiltshire.co.uk VisitWiltshire: VisitWiltshire:

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Bluebells of where to walk with free-to-download route guides. guides. route free-to-download with walk to where of Information Centres & Websites: & Centres Information to lots of rare bird species. Listen out for the the for out Listen species. bird rare of lots to

www.northwessexdowns.org.uk for more ideas ideas more for Visit The North Wessex Downs farmland is a home home a is farmland Downs Wessex North The with numerous numerous with

Britain while exploring the Uffington White Horse. White Uffington the exploring while Britain www.sustrans.org.uk. information about cycle routes visit visit routes cycle about information the keen cyclist cyclist keen the

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Hungerford – “the heart of the AONB”. the of heart “the – Hungerford Alton Barnes White Horse White Barnes Alton farming, conservation, northern edge of the area runs one rampant white horses, dramatic scarp slopes, majestic majestic slopes, scarp dramatic horses, white rampant

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NorNortthampthamptoonn Worcester M1 M5 M40 MilMilttoonn Getting here M50M50 Keynes Love nature? Walk the ...or Cycle or Ride! AA11(M)(M) lose to Reading, Swindon and Luton GloucesGloucestteerr he National Trails and the canal towpath are Basingstoke and with eight Aylesbury Stroud M40M40 accessible to both horses and bicycles and, of course, railway stations within the M25 M5 M1 Love North Wessex Downs! North Wessex Downs... cyclists can use all the bridleways too. National Route C Didcot area including Hungerford, Bedwyn Swindon LONDON T M4 M4 ildlife here has an abundant range of op class walking country and hundreds of miles of rights 4 of the National Cycle Network runs through the area and Pewsey and 12 others nearby, BRISTOBRISTOLL Reading M25M25 special places to live and one of the of way make the North Wessex Downs a great place to and this rolling country presents the keen cyclist Bath Adonis Blue such as Goring and Theale, the North Devizes Newbury AldershotAldershot most significant is the chalk grassland. get some fresh air and stretch your legs. Get outside, with numerous challenges if you wish to take them! Wessex Downs is easy to reach by Basingstoke M25M25 W T Andover M23M23 M3 Traditionally grazed by sheep and rabbits, the get active and feel great! Can you pedal up Walbury Hill in one go? public transport. The AONB is served Crawley springy turf provides a rich habitat. Chalk-loving by bus routes too such as the No 49 Salisbury Winchester What’s your walking style? Whether you regularly hike And don’t forget, this is the Land of the Horse! wild flowers that thrive here include the nectar- Yeovil from Swindon to Devizes. Many of our SOUSOUTTHAMPHAMPTON on the hills or prefer a more relaxing stroll, the area offers With many racing and livery stables in the area M27 rich scabious and pyramidal orchid; these, in walking and cycling routes start and Porrttsmouthsmouth many rewards. And everywhere stunning landscape visiting equestrians are very welcome and what Bournemouth turn, attract insects - you could well catch sight finish near stations or make use of local North Wessex Downs will lift your spirits, intriguing history will engage your Walkers at Ladle Hill finer sight is there than a string of racehorses out Area of Outstanding of rare butterflies like the Adonis blue. Visit the bus services so why not plan a day out Weymouthymouth Natural Beauy curiosity and rare wildlife will thrill your senses. on the gallops in the morning sunshine? National Nature Reserve to see one without the car? of the finest examples of chalk grassland in southern Take in the view from some of the highest points in For train information call 03457 484950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk England. the South of England – perhaps at Martinsell Hill in For bus information call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit www.traveline.info Wiltshire from where you can see Salisbury Cathedral, or Walbury Hill in Berkshire as red kites float at eye- “... this rolling Cycle Routes: “...an abundant range level. Admire the ancient, fat-bellied oaks as you Sustrans’ National Route 4 follows the Kennet & Avon Canal west out of Reading lose yourself in the glorious Savernake Forest near country presents across the North Wessex Downs. Other routes include 45, 403 and 246. For more of special places...” Marlborough or consider the mysteries of Neolithic information about cycle routes visit www.sustrans.org.uk. Britain while exploring the Uffington White Horse. the keen cyclist The North Wessex Downs farmland is a home Visit www.northwessexdowns.org.uk for more ideas with numerous

Information Centres & Websites: to lots of rare bird species. Listen out for the Bluebells of where to walk with free-to-download route guides. North Wessex Downs AONB: www.northwessexdowns.org.uk ‘peewit’ call of the lapwing or the distinctive You may like to walk parts of the many long-distance paths challenges.” VisitWiltshire: VisitWiltshire.co.uk chirruping of the skylark. The stone curlew with its that are in the AONB – such as the Ridgeway National Hungerford Tourist Information Centre: Tel: 01488 686858 long yellow legs and round yellow eyes is a regular Trail, the Thames Path, the Lambourn Valley Way, or the Skylark Marlborough Tourist Information: Tel: 01672 512487 summer visitor while red kites and buzzards swoop and Wayfarer’s Walk all of which are featured on OS maps. Hackpen Hill wheel above. : www.visitpewseyvale.co.uk If you would like company there are numerous walking Great West Way: GreatWestWay.co.uk There are heathlands like that at Snelsmore Common groups to join. The Ramblers are active across (where you might be lucky enough to see an adder the four counties (ramblers.org.uk), the Long on a warm day), veteran trees at Ashmansworth Distance Walkers Association has a Wiltshire Ordnance Survey Maps: Pyramidal Orchid Landranger Maps: 173, 174, 184, 185. and Savernake, and in spring group (ldwa.org.uk) and there are several Explorer Maps: 157, 158, 159, 130, 131, 144, 169, 170, 171. brilliant bluebells appear in Walking for Health Groups in and around the profusion in West Woods North Wessex Downs (walkingforhealth.org. Walking at Cherhill near Marlborough. The uk). And check out The North Wessex Downs

North Wessex Downs AONB Printed on FSC-certified paper sparkling chalk streams, Walking Festival which usually takes place in Off-road cycling Denford Manor harvested in a responsible manner. such as the River June (northwessexdowns.org.uk). Lower Denford Produced on behalf Hungerford RG17 0UN of the Council of Partners. Kennet, are home to Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps brown trout and watch Tel: 01488 685440 @NorthWessexDowns Cartography and design Email: [email protected] @NorthWessexAONB by FourPoint Mapping Ltd out for the iridescent Field Scabious www.northwessexdowns.org.uk @northwessexdowns www.fourpointmapping.co.uk flash of a kingfisher. “...hundreds of miles

Photos:Uffington White Horse: © Vale of the White Horse Council. Woodborough Hill: © Dave Gray. Lapwing: © Barry Stalker. Alton Barnes White of rights of way.” Horse, Avebury Stone Circle, Silbury Hill, Dog Walkers, Signpost, Walking at Cherhill, Bridleway Sign, Hackpen Hill, Leisure Riding: © GreatWestWay. co.uk. Marlborough: © Abby George. Kids in Bluebells: © Sharyn Ladds. Rolling Contours: © John Cruise. Off-road Cycling: © Sustrans. Leisure riding 5 Howard Carter in the 1920s when he uncovered the tomb of 8 Silbury Hill 10 Wittenham Trust, you can now walk through the newly created 12 Wilton ’ timeless Tutankhamun. House and gardens are open to the public. Europe’s largest man- wildflower meadow, discover local wildlife and ancient Clumps archaeological features, or simply soak up the stunning Windmill novel Watership Down made hill at 130 feet The Clumps are the is the only panoramic views of . about the rabbit families 7 Avebury high (40m). It was built oldest known planted authentic working windmill 20 things not to miss... and their adventures Containing the largest around 2100 BC with hilltop beeches in And nearby… in the entire AONB and draws on his memories and one of the most antler picks and shoulder England. Renowned wider Wessex region and still of living near the real important megalithic blades of oxen as shovels. English artist Paul Nash 11 Basildon Park produces stoneground flour. 1 4 Watership Down in north stone circles in Europe, (Please don’t climb the hill – (1889-1946) wrote of a This elegant 18th You can visit the windmill site any Uffington White Horse Hampshire. A bridleway, the the archaeology and rare chalk “beautiful English country” on time of year, but the building is open Carved into the chalk downland and visible for miles, Located at the top of the UNESCO World century Palladian Wayfarer’s Walk, runs along plants are very fragile.) discovering the Wittenham Clumps in 1911 and they for guided tours from Easter to the end of September on there are eight huge white horse hill figures in the North Hill on a Neolithic Heritage site of Avebury mansion managed by the ridge of the Down. Other became a major inspiration for him, returning to paint Sundays and Bank Holidays. The picnic area has sweeping Wessex Downs – look out for the white long barrow close is a very special place. the National Trust is set nearby features include the Iron Age them many times during his life. Managed by the Earth views and there are numerous walks to be enjoyed from horse symbols here on the map. The to the Hampshire/ Constructed around 2600 9 in beautiful grounds hillforts at Ladle Hill, on Great Litchfield Down, immediately Down the mill including down to the and prehistoric Uffington White Horse Berkshire border is BC archaeologists believe Situated on a high plateau of chalk grassland north west of near the to the west, and Beacon Hill a little further on – all great . near Wantage is the best-known. the eerie monument that it was part of a larger Marlborough, this National Nature Reserve has what are between Pangbourne spots for a picnic and glorious views. Located high up on the Lambourn of Combe Gibbet. Only prehistoric landscape and was said to be the best collection of and Streatley. And nearby… Downs, it was probably carved ever put to its grisly And nearby… most likely used for some form stones in Britain. around 1000 BC in the late Bronze use once in 1676, today a of ritual or ceremony. Today, Avebury is managed by the National Trust but access to the stone circle is free and 13 Crofton Age making it the oldest surviving replica gibbet marks the site. 6 Castle in Britain. You can take With far-reaching views of the there are fascinating walks of varying lengths in the area Seat of the Carnarvon family A Grade I listed building that a fairly easy walk, of less than a surrounding area and just a stone’s throw from Walbury which is jam-packed full of Neolithic archaeology. and well-known as television’s houses two Cornish beam engines mile, to the White Horse from the Hill, the highest point in , it is now And nearby… , this one of which is the oldest working National Trust car park or extend it to popular with paragliders and is a much-loved walking and ‘Jacobethan’ house is in the world. Admire take in one of the many circular routes in cycling spot. Wander up to the Gibbet – less than a mile home to some of Egypt’s the steam-powered engineering the area. Alternatively, the White Horse Trail from the car park along a sloping gravel track - to take in finest treasures from the which lifts water 40 feet (12m) from links all the white horses together by a spectacular long- the views or embark on a more strenuous circular route 5th Earl’s exploration with river to canal. distance walking route. along part of the and into Combe Wood. And nearby … 14 Kennet and Avon Canal Meandering 87 miles and passing through beautiful, 2 Wayland’s Smithy tranquil and unspoilt scenery, the Kennet and Avon A Neolithic long barrow and Canal is one of the most picturesque waterways in chamber tomb site built around Britain. Discover an abundance of wildlife, bustling 3700 BC at Ashbury which had market towns, picturesque villages and historic been associated since Saxon monuments along the way. A well-maintained times with a Germanic smith- towpath makes it ideal to explore by bike or on foot, god called Wayland. According as well as by boat. And, of course, there are plenty of to legend, a traveller whose horse waterside pubs and restaurants from where you can has lost a shoe can leave it with a watch the world float by. silver coin at the smithy and return the next day to find it re-shod. 15 Savernake Forest Believed to be over 1000 years old, 3 Ashdown House Savernake Forest is one of the This unusual property with its dolls’ house appearance was oldest woodlands in England. built for the Queen of Bohemia in 1662. Set Rich in history with lots to explore in a beautiful valley, it is also surrounded it makes for an exciting and by woodland to explore. interesting day out. A particularly impressive sight is the ‘Grand Avenue’ of tall 200 year-old beech trees. Laid out in the late 1790’s by and at just over four miles long it stands in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest avenue in Britain. With beautiful picnic areas including barbeque sites and various routes of different lengths, walking in the forest is the perfect way to get some fresh air.

16 Horse Racing Lambourn and its surroundings are second only to Newmarket in their importance as a centre of activity for the UK racing industry. About 10% of Britain’s racehorse trainers and approximately 3,700 racehorses are located within the North Wessex Downs AONB. The springy, free-draining chalk turf found here is the perfect landscape for training and the sight of thoroughbred racehorses being exercised on the gallops early in the morning is truly exhilarating. Look out for the Lambourn Trainers stables open day every Spring.

17 Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve A stunning sweep of chalk downland with breath- taking views stretching across Pewsey Vale. Taking in three hills and the Alton Barnes white horse, the reserve offers great opportunities for landscape and wildlife photography. A circular walk from the small car park includes Neolithic features, the white horse and the Wansdyke.

18 Hill The scene of a crushing Royalist victory in the , Roundway Hill near Devizes is now a 68- acre nature reserve which features broadleaf woodland with sunny grassy areas where chalk- loving plants thrive. The plants in turn attract a wide range of insects including butterflies, grasshoppers and bees. A nature trail offers panoramic views in all directions.

19 Barbury Castle An Iron Age hill fort on the edge of the Marlborough Downs first occupied around 2,500 years ago and then used during the Roman occupation of the area. The fort is sited on a vantage point which affords views as far as the and the . And nearby…

20 Liddington Hill Rising over 900 feet (275m) and with its clump of beech trees, Liddington Hill is visible for miles around. The western side is topped by an Iron Age hill fort where King Arthur is said to have defeated the Anglo Saxon armies. There is also a World Kilometres War 2 “starfish decoy control bunker” whose purpose was to create localised fires to fool enemy bombers targeting Photos: 1 Uffington White Horse: © Vale of the White Horse Council. 4 Combe Gibbet: © Steve Davison. 6 Highclere Castle: © Lord Carnarvon. 7 Avebury, 8 Silbury Hill & 10 Swindon. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2020. Wittenham Clumps: © David Hall. 9 : © Sustrans. 11 Basildon Park: © And Now (Nick Read). 12 Wilton Windmill: © Candida Alderson. 13 : Cartography and design © FourPoint Mapping Ltd. www.fourpointmapping.co.uk Miles © Ann Seth. 14 Kennet & Avon Canal: ©Nick Tipper. 16 Horse Racing, 17 Pewsey Downs NNR & 19 Barbury Castle: © GreatWestWay.co.uk. 18 Roundway Hill: © Andrew Perrot.