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Pewsey Downs from Wootton Rivers

Wiltshire Walk

County/Area - Wiltshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 8.0 miles / 13 km    Ascent - 700 feet / 212 metres

Time - 4 hours 40 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Ordnance Survey Explorer 157Sheet Map1:25kBUY
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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Pewsey Downs from Wootton Rivers
Click image to see photo description.

This Wiltshire walk offers a range of scenery from rolling downs to the open aspect of the Vale of Pewsey. The start is the small car park adjacent to the village hall in the village of Wootton Rivers (grid ref. SU197630). Exit the car park and walk north through the village to join the Mid Wilts Way which leaves the road on your left at grid ref. SU197634. Follow this path north for just under a mile climbing onto the downs. Reaching a path junction at grid ref. SU199642 turn left, following the Mid Wilts Way and continue when the path turns right to meet Mud Lane (grid ref. SU198646).

Turn left along Mud Lane for two miles continuing along the Mid Wilts Way. The way ahead climbs steadily across the rolling downs crossing a lane at grid ref. SU183645. Continue straight ahead with a steep escarpment to your left with an excellent view across the Vale of Pewsey. Reaching a path junction (grid ref. SU176642) continue straight ahead. At a cross-path (grid ref. SU174641) go straight ahead and continue along the southern edge of Withy Copse to reach a cross path (grid ref. SU171641). Turn left here to join the White Horse Trail to continue along a ridge passing Giant's Grave. Continue to descend to a cross path (grid ref. SU161628). Go straight across and continue south to reach Sunnyhill Lane (grid ref. SU161622).

Cross Sunnyhill Lane and take the path opposite remaining on the White Horse Trail to reach Pains Bridge (grid ref. SU164611) on the Kennet and Avon Canal. Turn left along the canal towpath for two and a half miles of easy walking back to Wootton Rivers.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1733 Wessex Downs & Kennet & Avon Canal from Pewseyeasy/mod8.0 miles
Walk 3295 Pewsey Hill and Fyfield Downeasy/mod9.0 miles
Walk 1807 The Southern Escarpment of the Marlborough Downseasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 2339 Milk Hill the highest point in Wiltshire easy3.0 miles
Walk 3517 Avebury & Overton Downeasy/mod7.5 miles
Walk 2812 Avebury, West Kennett and Silbury Hilleasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 3417 Silbury Hill and West Kennett Long Barrow from Aveburyeasy3.0 miles
Walk 3318 Hackpen Hill & Overton Downeasy/mod9.5 miles
Walk 2377 Highlights of Aveburyeasy/mod8.8 miles
Walk 3720 Ham, Inkpen Hill & Lower Green Circulareasy/mod6.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

The Kennet and Avon Canal

The Kennet and Avon CanalGuidebook to walking along the Kennet & Avon Canal. The 94 mile route from Reading to Bristol is split into 7 stages of fairly easy walking and includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath and Bristol's Floating Harbour. 20 circular walks are also included, ranging from 4ΒΌ to 9 miles, taking in the best sections of the canal.
More information

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