This is an enjoyable 2.4 mile walk from Olivers Hill in Cherhill, to the source of the River Marden and back again.
Important information:
This route is great for walkers and runners - and perhaps those with mountain bikes, but unfortunately it's no good for pushchairs or mobility scooters.
There are plenty of inclines and declines on this route. Parts of this route can be boggy and slippery after rain and during the winter months. Please wear appropriate clothing and stay safe.
There is The Black Horse Inn, in Cherhill, but other than this there are no toilets or benches along this walk.
Directions
1) Park on Olivers Hill in Cherhill and cross over Labour-in-Vain Hill, which is part of the A4. Follow the track between the hedge and the verge.
Enter through the gate and immediately turn right to follow the length of the field.
You'll also see the communication masts up on Morgan's Hill, which will feature in a future walk.
This monument, in dire need of repair, was built in 1845 using a design by Sir Charles Barry for the 3rd Marquis of Lansdowne, in memory of his ancestor Sir William Petty. Unfortunately, repairs completed in 1990 by the National Trust used soft stone, which is now crumbling down.
6) Very soon after joining this path there is a fork. Follow this to the right, which will take you past Toghill House, which was built in the mid-1700s. Once the home of the Rivers family, one of whom,
Arthur Rivers, was the Waterworks Manager. More recently, the house was
renovated by John Grierson (1898-1972), a film maker who coined the term
‘documentary’. His brother, Andrew Anthony 'Tony' Grierson MBE (1895-1968), was
a GP at Elm Grove in Calne for around twenty years. Grierson Close in Calne is
named after Dr. Grierson.
Be mindful! This path is steep and after rain, or in winter, it can be very boggy and slippery.
From this path it is possible to see the beginning of the reservoir that once served Calne with safe, clean, water.
7) From this point on, listen out for the river. You will soon come to a bridge. The weir on the western side turns the river into a rushing torrent, even at this close proximity to the source. Excess water often pours out of the hills near the source adding to the flow the runs to the reservoir.
8) Simply looking over the eastern side of the bridge, will reveal a slow running, crystal clear river.
10) You will then come to the end of the track you were on, as it joins a main track. Turn almost 180° to your left as you join this track. Follow the track, which will take you east.
To your right you will see a beautiful piece of land, called Blackham bottom in the 1800s, and now goes by the name of Bacon Bottom, possibly a corruption of the earlier name. It is often filled with sheep, making it even more picturesque.
12) At this point you'll come to a junction, take the left-most option. Following the track around to the left. You'll get lovely views of the monument again, however keep following the track to the left.
13) Keep close to the trees and you'll see a small metal gate and a caution to keep dogs on a lead due to the release of wild birds (pheasants). Continue through and you'll come up to fencing and clear arrows that will enable you to keep to the public right of way.
We're now coming back around the source. Keep your eyes peeled for sights of the river to your left as you continue onwards.
There are the two metal gates to go through on your return.
Make sure you stop and enjoy the view as you return to the A4. If it's open, perhaps pop into The Black Horse before you leave.
Thank you for using this route!
Map from the lovely folks at OpenStreetMap. © OpenStreetMap contributors
