Guidebook to the Sarsen Way (79km) from Coate Water Park to Salisbury and the Cranborne Droves Way (28km) connecting Salisbury to Wessex Ridgeway at Win Green. These long-distance paths are part of the Great Chalk Way. Both can be walked in a week and are suitable for all abilities.

The routes are presented in 8 stages, ranging from 10.5km to 17.3km. Reverse route descriptions are also included.

• Step-by-step route descriptions plus 1:50k OS mapping
• Centres include Swindon, Chiseldon, Avebury, Durrington, Amesbury, Great Durnford, Old Sarum, Salisbury, Shaftesbury
• Comprehensive planning information and notes on sites along the route
• GPX files available to download
• The compact format is conveniently sized for slipping into a jacket pocket or the top of a rucksack

CONTENTS

Route summary table

Map key

Introduction

The Sarsen Way, Cranborne Droves Way and the Great Chalk Way

Geology and nature

History

When to walk and equipment

Getting to and staying along the route

Maps and GPS

Safety

Waymarking and access

Using this guide

Planning your walk

The Sarsen Way

Stage 1 Coate Water to Barbury Castle

Stage 2 Barbury Castle to Overton Hill

Stage 3 Overton Hill to Upavon

Stage 4 Upavon to Netheravon

Stage 5 Netheravon to Amesbury

Stage 6 Amesbury to Salisbury Cathedral

The Cranborne Droves Way

Stage 1 Salisbury Cathedral to Cow Down Hill

Stage 2 Cow Down Hill to Win Green or Shaftesbury

Appendix A Useful contacts

Appendix B Selected accommodation near the route

Appendix C Further reading

Appendix D Stage facilities planner

Seasons

The two routes can be undertaken at any time of the year, although between early spring and the end of autumn offers the chance of more settled weather and better walking conditions. Routes can get muddy in winter.

Centres

Swindon, Chiseldon, Avebury, Durrington, Amesbury, Great Durnford, Old Sarum, Salisbury, Shaftesbury.

Difficulty

Fairly low level walking to suit most ages and abilities; no difficulties apart from some short steep uphill and downhill sections, can be muddy in winter, some road crossings and sections along quiet country roads and lanes that require care.

Must See

The Sarsen Way from Coate Water Country Park on the outskirts of Swindon to Salisbury, home to a stunning medieval cathedral, passing Barbury Castle, the Vale of Pewsey, Salisbury Plain, Old Sarum and a number of picturesque villages. Optional loops take in visits of the stunning prehistoric sites at Avebury and Stonehenge (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Cranborne Droves Way from Salisbury to Win Green meandering through Cranborne Chase with an optional ending at Shaftesbury, home to the famed Gold Hill.

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