Morgan's Hill is a beauty spot that is a pleasure to experience whatever the season. This is a 2 mile route that can be walked within an hour, but you may wish to spend much longer than that in this well-loved nature reserve.
Morgan's Hill can be accessed from the car park at the Smallgrain Picnic Area. From Calne take the A4 to Quemerford, turning right at the junction signposted Bishops Cannings. Continue through Blackland until you see the signpost for Smallgrain Picnic Area on your left. Turn here and park in the car park.
This route is not accessible to wheelchairs, pushchairs, etc due to steps and stiles.
The route can be muddy, with mixed terrain and varying altitude.
Directions
1) Park at Smallgrain Picnic Area and follow the path north east past the beech tree. Down the steps you will join the Byway, which you should follow to the east, taking a right turn.
3) You will then reach a three-way junction and an information board for Morgan's Hill. Continue along the Byway. Until you come to a wooden gate.
While we walk, we can consider how Morgan's Hill got its name:
The Morgan of Morgan's Hill is said to be one Mr. John Morgan of Heddington who robbed and murdered his uncle. Morgan was apparently hung before a large crowd on this hill that now bears his name.200
Morgan's Hill is a 12.6-hectare site of Special Scientific Interest, since 1951. It is well recognisable due to the two masts that can be seen for miles around.
4) As you continue on, you may notice this memorial stone to Beatrice Gillam MBE (1920-2016) within Morgan's Hill, on your right.
Beatrice Gillam received her MBE in 1983, for work done for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, of which, she was a founder member.
Gillam seems to have been very active over decades in surveying wildlife and campaigning, including being a voluntary warden for the precursor to Natural England. Her research notes and notebooks are held by the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.
It seems fitting that Gillam is remembered at such an important site.
5a) If you would like a shorter walk, or you would like to explore the nature reserve, take the side-gate into the nature reserve. There is a worn path that will take you in a south west direction uphill to a wide wooden gate.
The route information will continue again at number 11.
5b) To continue the full route, walk past this gate and the sheep fold shortly after it for another 350 metres.
