This route, which begins at Cook's Plantation off the A4 between Beckhampton and Cherhill, follows a 5.7 mile route with many inclines and declines around to Witch Plantation. The route begins on the Old Bath road before following Right of Way (RoW) paths around Cherhill Downs, back along the Roman Road to the A361. At this point, we'll take the safer route in the field owned by Beckhampton Stables (See important information) before re-joining the RoW paths back to Cook's Plantation.
Important Information
This route has many inclines and declines starting at around 168ft going up to 240ft, a cycle that repeats many times during the walk.
The steep parts of the walk can get very slippery and muddy, please take your time, stay safe, and wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
With this in mind, this walk is not accessible for wheelchairs, pushchairs, etc. It is good for walkers, runners, and mountain bikes.
Restricted Times: To keep the walk off the A361, Beckhampton Stables allow foot-only access on their land. They use this land to train horses between 07:00 and 12:30 Monday to Saturday. Sometimes this does include Sundays. If you would like more information, the telephone number for Beckhampton Stables is 01672 539533. Please help out by collecting some of the litter that has been dropped or thrown from cars while you walk this stretch of land.
1) There is parking available at Cook's Plantation, which provides direct access to the Cherhill Downs.
It is said that c. 1859, the Mail Coach travelling past Cook's Plantation was robbed of its mail bags. The robber took the contents of the bags and soon came across a drunken man lying in a ditch. He left the empty bags beside the sleeping man. Mistaken for the robber, this poor man is said to have been hanged for stealing the bags.
2) Follow the route up to the Cherhill Downs, joining the Old Bath Road.
3) As you reach the trackway that is the Old Bath Road, you'll get your first view of the Cherhill Downs and of Witch Plantation. Turn right and join the trackway.
4) Within the trackway, there is loose hedging. After around 300 metres, the track will curve to the left and lead you to a small metal gate attached to wooden fencing. Go through the gate and continue onward.
5) At this point the track straightens up and it's an enjoyable walk with views of the downs, and Witch Plantation, for around 1km. As you come to the end of this stretch of the route, you'll see a tumulus. This type is known as a bowl barrow. There are no records of any excavation, however two Beaker sherds were found in a rabbit scrape in 1949.
This is by no means the only tumulus along this route. Keep your eye out for others.
This is by no means the only tumulus along this route. Keep your eye out for others.
6) Soon after the tumulus, the track will meet a main track that is still used by vehicles. Turn left to join this new track. You will continue past the barn to where the track slightly splits, with a wide metal gate to the right. Ignore this gate and follow the main track.
7) In return for all the expended effort in this upcoming section, the countryside offers many miles of fantastic views. Climb the stile to join the land entrusted to the National Trust following the fence when it turns to the left.
8) Here is one such beautiful view. Follow the fence all the way to Witch Plantation. Having such a well-defined track means that you're free to be mindful of your own thoughts and enjoy the views that become available.
9) Before too long, you'll reach Witch Plantation. This is a beech woodland, as many are on the chalk of Wiltshire. A place name study makes it seem likely that this was originally a plantation of Wych Elm.
Unfortunately, Dutch elm disease devastated the vast majority of Elm trees in this country. This plantation can be clearly seen on the 1886 OS map, however it's likely that this plantation could be much older than the 1880s.
Unfortunately, Dutch elm disease devastated the vast majority of Elm trees in this country. This plantation can be clearly seen on the 1886 OS map, however it's likely that this plantation could be much older than the 1880s.
Take your time to explore this small plantation. Depending on the time of year, you'll be covered by a bright green canopy, or be able to spot fungi on the woodland floor or as bracket fungi on the trees, or be able to look up to the sky and see the beautiful bare branches and their fractal display.
Take the wooden gate to leave the National Trust boundary of Cherhill Down. The track becomes a bit rough as you reach a Right of Way junction. Follow the dog leg until the junction, then turn left.
After you pass the brow of the hill, you will then have Silbury Hill as your companion as you head towards it on this old Roman road for the next mile. This Roman road once connected Verlucio, close to Wans House, at modern day Sandy Lane, to Mildenhall, which is east of Marlborough.
If you're on foot, as soon as possible climb the fence to continue in the field. Please remember that Beckhampton Stables use this land to train horses between 07:00 and 12:30 Monday to Saturday. Sometimes this does include Sundays. If you would like more information, the telephone number for Beckhampton Stables is 01672 539533.
While you're enjoying the comparative safety of the field, please help out by collecting some of the litter that has been dropped or thrown from cars while you walk this stretch of land.
While you're enjoying the comparative safety of the field, please help out by collecting some of the litter that has been dropped or thrown from cars while you walk this stretch of land.
12) When you come to the eastern edge of the field, continue within the field, turning left. At the A4, turn left again heading uphill.
Soon you will reach the car park for The Gallops, which is the name for the fields here, due to the horse training.
The car park actually marks the location where the Bath road branched from the Bristol road. The Bath road marked as a secondary road. However, it was this road which the early coaches decided follow and which later became known as the old Bath road.
When Bath became known as 'the most fashionable town in England' in the early 1800s, the road became very well used. It was one of the first roads in Wiltshire to brought under the control of turnpike trustees.
The car park actually marks the location where the Bath road branched from the Bristol road. The Bath road marked as a secondary road. However, it was this road which the early coaches decided follow and which later became known as the old Bath road.
When Bath became known as 'the most fashionable town in England' in the early 1800s, the road became very well used. It was one of the first roads in Wiltshire to brought under the control of turnpike trustees.
13) Keep to the field as you follow the path past the car park. Enter and pass through a lovely beech plantation at Knoll Down.
Interestingly, this part of the route was not only the Old Bath road, but these days, is part of the Wessex Ridgeway, which is a 138-mile trail running from Marlborough to Lyme Regis in Dorset.
Interestingly, this part of the route was not only the Old Bath road, but these days, is part of the Wessex Ridgeway, which is a 138-mile trail running from Marlborough to Lyme Regis in Dorset.
There are some good stumps here, so if you'd like, take a minute to enjoy the surroundings, knowing that you're close to the finish line.
As you reach the western end of this plantation, the path will steer you upwards and left. Follow the path turning right as you reach the top.
Leaving the woodland now is ideal, as you will now be able to enjoy the expansive views once more. Keep an eye out for the red kites and buzzards that are common in this area.
Leaving the woodland now is ideal, as you will now be able to enjoy the expansive views once more. Keep an eye out for the red kites and buzzards that are common in this area.
15) You will soon arrive back that the junction that brought you onto the Old Bath road near the beginning of this route.
Take a right and head down, back towards Cook's Plantation.
16) It's not often that the last stretch back to the carpark is just as scenic as the rest of the journey. The views heading towards Cook's Plantation lead to Yatesbury and Windmill Hill.
Thank you for using this route!
Map from the lovely folks at OpenStreetMap. © OpenStreetMap contributors
