Walking in the North Wessex Downs

30 walking routes exploring the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The routes are between 7 and 20km through this peaceful rolling chalk landscape covering parts of four counties: Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, with descriptions to reach the highest points in each one.

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Overview

Guidebook to 30 circular day walks in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The routes, which range from 4 to 13 miles long take in parts of four counties - Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.

The walks allow you to explore parts of the Ridgeway National Trail, the Kennet and Avon Canal and stunning historic sites, such as Avebury, the 3000-year-old Uffington White Horse, impressive Neolithic long barrows and Iron Age hill forts.
The North Wessex Downs are accessible hills that rise above the towns and rural plains of southern England and roll gently west from Reading and Basingstoke to Swindon and down past Marlborough to Andover.

Alongside detailed route descriptions and OS maps, are plenty of details on points of interest, as well as practical information on the area from public transport links, to ideal refreshment stops on each walk. The result is an ideal companion to exploring both the popular and untouched corners of the North Wessex Downs.

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
Geology
Brief history
Plants and wildlife
Where to stay
Getting around
Food and drink
Long-distance routes
Maps
Walking in the North Wessex Downs
Waymarking, access and rights of way
Protecting the countryside
Using this guide
Berkshire Downs East
Walk 1 Chapel Row, Bucklebury and Stanford Dingley
Walk 2 Ashampstead and Yattendon
Walk 3 Aldworth
Walk 4 Shillingford, Wittenham Clumps and Dorchester on Thames
Walk 5 Blewbury and the Astons
Lambourn Downs
Walk 6 West Ilsley and Farnborough
Walk 7 Ardington and the Hendreds
Walk 8 Great Shefford, Chaddleworth and East Garston
Walk 9 Lambourn and Eastbury
Walk 10 The Ridgeway and the Letcombe villages
Walk 11 Compton Beauchamp, Woolstone and the Uffington White Horse
Walk 12 Ashbury and Bishopstone
Marlborough Downs
Walk 13 Ramsbury and Littlecote
Walk 14 Mildenhall and the River Kennet
Walk 15 Marlborough and Savernake Forest
Walk 16 Ogbourne St Andrew, Rockley and Barbury Castle
Walk 17 Fyfield Down and the Devil’s Den
Walk 18 Avebury
Vale of Pewsey
Walk 19 Cherhill and Oldbury Castle
Walk 20 Heddington, Oliver’s Castle, Roundway Down and Morgan’s Hill
Walk 21 Alton Barnes and the Wansdyke
Walk 22 Knap Hill and Oare
Walk 23 Martinsell Hill and Wootton Rivers
Walk 24 Great Bedwyn and Wilton
North Hampshire Downs
Walk 25 Tidcombe and Hippenscombe Bottom
Walk 26 Inkpen and Walbury Hill
Walk 27 Ashmansworth and Faccombe
Walk 28 St Mary Bourne and the Bourne Valley
Walk 29 Ecchinswell and Ladle Hill
Walk 30 Kingsclere and Hannington

Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Useful contacts
Appendix C Further reading

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Reviews

"I have a fondness for the format of Cicerone guide books. They are clearly written, a handy size to drop
into a map pocket and, best of all for me, they use Ordnance Survey mapping. I also have a fondness
for Steve Davison’s books. He enriches the essential practicalities of the walking routes with numerous
interesting digressions on the villages, the churches, the wildlife, the geology and the history through
which you pass. I was already familiar with a number of the 30 walks in the book but was inspired to
try a few new ones. In every case they proved enjoyable and the descriptions in the book proved
accurate and informative.

In any book review it is usual to find fault with something. Praise is usually followed by a “but…….”.
Here I have no reservations.

I recommend this book to those familiar and unfamiliar with the North
Wessex Downs. The walks are between just over 4 miles to 12 miles in length, with varying degrees of
severity. There is something for everyone. Beg, borrow or steal a copy, put your boots on and get out
into this wonderful countryside.”

Ian Ritchie, Friends of the Ridgeway, October 2015

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