Whiteshard Bottom

Along the valley from Whiteshard Bottom

Unlike most circular walks this one started neither at a pub nor in a village. Instead the point of departure was a byway off a minor road (parking on the verge). The tree-lined byway is apparently part of an old route from Aldbourne to Marlborough.

When the byway reaches Whiteshard Bottom you take a left and follow a field edge path south-east along the bottom of a valley. The right hand side is mostly hedged. We soon discovered a most interesting feature: either side of this hedge a purple crop had been planted. It looked rather like thistle or ragwort.

We couldn't identify it on the day, but here is a close up. Our research suggests Green Manure Crop (Phacelia Tanacetifolia).

Further along the right hand hedge became a more solid wood.

This pleasant winding path ended at a minor road which we crossed to then make a steep climb on the other side. This field also had a section of the mysterious purple plants.

Another field brought us to a logging track. We had enjoyed seeing a lot of butterflies on the route and a couple of late Brimstones here brought our total for the day to 15, the best so far this year. Credit must go to the local farmer for allowing lots of set-asides and wild areas outside the fields.

We continued along the track, now in open country, and passed three mysterious white containers, like giant worms. A sign warned of toxicity, but we couldn't work out what lay within.

Now there were fine views to the south-west towards Martinsell Hill, the highest point on the downs at 289 metres.

At the end of this track, we turned left onto a minor road, then right through light woodland and along another road to reach our starting point.

Conditions: warm and sunny.

From: 100 walks in Wiltshire.

Map: Explorer 157 (Marlborough & Savernake Forest).

Distance: 5 miles.

Rating: three stars. A very pleasant and amazingly rural walk: we passed one house and some farm buildings, and saw one other house on the distant horizon.

Great Bedwyn and Wilton

Cottages in Frog Lane, Great Bedwyn

We started today's walk in the pretty village of Great Bedwyn and after passing Frog Lane turned right to walk along the tow path of the Kennet and Avon Canal.

We soon passed the first bridge, the the classic Canal style.

A little further on we saw the delightful sight of a male swan standing guard while the female sits on the nest at the side of the canal.

We crossed the second bridge (Mill Bridge) and turned left then right following a field-edge path. We left this to enter Wilton Brail (Brail seems to be a local word for a wood). It was very pleasant with a good variety of trees and bushes.

We left the Brail and walked across towards Wilton. To the left is the Wilton Windmill.

We left the fields to enter the attractive village, our first sight being a pond and some thatched cottages.

Soon afterwards we passed a small field with what looked to be young emus.

We walked up the hill from the village to reach the Windmill. It is currently closed of course, but in normal times you can have a guided tour and refreshments. The Mill dates from 1821, after the Canal was opened. It continued in operation for a hundred years, but by 1931 it was derelict. It was restored in 1971 and now produces stone-ground wholemeal flour.

We carried on along the road and turned left along a track which led us into our second Brail of the day, Bedwyn Brail. This was similar to Wilton Brail, except for having a more defined track supported by excellent signposts. There were also obvious forestry works. After a while we passed these rather lovely wooden sculptures.

And a bit further on we were delighted to see our first White Admiral of the year.

Eventually the wood gave way to a field path which led down to the first bridge over the canal where we turned left and passed the church of St Mary the Virgin.

The church dates from 1092, although most of what you see today is 12th and 13th century. Turning right past the church you follow the road back to the village centre. On the way you pass the wonderful Post Office and Stonemason's Museum. It was in use by stonemason John Lloyd as late as 1996 according to The Independent, but seems to now be defunct.

Conditions: grey but mild.

From: Walking in the North Wessex Downs (Cicerone).

Map: Explorer 157 (Marlborough & Savernake Forest).

Distance: 5 miles.

Rating: four stars.

Ecchinswell

The Old School House

We first did this walk in 2005 (before I began blogging) and did so again in 2007 when my blog was only embryonic. The walk starts at the Community Centre from where you cross the road past the Old School House (the picture above dates from 2007 - the bushes have grown to the point where the house is almost invisible from the road.

We passed the old mill and followed a track which emerged into a massive field.

We crossed another field and a road to walk along this delightful green track, with lots of butterflies leaping into flight as we passed by.

Further on there was a great view of Watership Down which is due south of Ecchinswell.

We passed Nuthanger Farm and a grand, new-looking Georgian style house with fine views over the surrounding country. I couldn't get a picture of it, but this light plane will have to do.

We` headed downhill in the direction of Ecchinswell and admired a new farm, not on the map, ...

... the wind in the barley (?) created some lovely patterns.

Passing this farm we turned left into the Symonton estate, passing Watership Farm and turning right to climb up to the strangely-named Laundry Cottages.

Passing the cottages we continued north, catrching a distant glimpse of my Georgian style house on top of its hill.

We followed this track across a road and past a couple of house to emerge into another massive field, this time of broad beans. The edge of the nearby wood was absolutely swarming with Green-veined White butterflies. I have never seen so many.

We made a right angle turn and this time the hedgerow had plenty of Gatekeeper butterflies (my first of the year). I was also intrigued by these beautiful berries. We have identified the plant as a Guelder Rose - the berries will become bright red in the autumn. Apparently, the presence of this rose is an indicator of an ancient woodland.

We crossed a road and admired this pretty cottage ...

... then walking through fields to reach Ecchinswell.

Conditions: bright and warm.

From: Rambling for Pleasure: Kennet Valley and Watership Down.

Maps: Explorer 158 (Newbury and Hungerford) and 144 (Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch).

Distance: 5 miles.

Rating: four stars.A varied and enjoyable walk, quite near to home.

Tidcombe and Hippenscombe Bottom

St Michael's church, Tidcombe

For today's walk we drove to Tidcombe in Wiltshire, a village located a few miles off the A338. The village has the rare distinction of being a dead end.

We started from the church (14th century with Victorian restorations). From the churchyard there was a fine view of the mid-18th century Manor House.

We turned right down the road and left to descend across fields and then climb to a wonderful view point looking towards the north west.

We continued ahead to cross the Chute Causeway, which we have encountered on other recent walks: Chute Causeway and Coldridge Wood and The Chutes. We continued along a track which offered lovely views initially to the left (see below) and later to the right.

At the junction between our path and a crossing track we turned right and headed downhill to reach Hippenscombe Farm. We now followed the wonderful winding valley known as Hippenscombe Bottom, which we had noticed on our walk along part of the Chute Causeway.  This is the view from near the start ...

... and here is the situation about 2km on.

We did hit a problem at around this point. The walk book described reaching a gate after 2.7 km. We found two gates in quick succession, but neither seemed to totally match the instructions (we later realised we hadn't gone quite far enough). We left the track however and headed through a bit of woodland to reach Chute Causeway - but not quite where we were supposed to be. At least we were now sure of exactly where we were!

We decided to return to the start along the Causeway (rather than crossing fields), passing a thatched cottage and sundry other buildings at Scots Poor.

We reached the point above Tidcombe where we had crossed the Causeway on the way out and turned left retracing our initial steps. I took another picture of the view, this time a little more to the west, which made the Wilton Windmill visible (it is the white X just below the horizon), the Crofton Pumping Station off to the left.

Conditions: hot and sunny.

From: Walking in the North Wessex Downs (Cicerone).

Map: Explorer 131 (Romsey, Andover & Test Valley).

Distance: 6 miles.

Rating: four stars.

Ashmansworth and Faccombe

The village green

We set off from the village green in Ashmansworth, admiring the pretty thatched cottage (Mere Cottage) which faces the green and especially the wonderful topiary.

We walked down the road towards Faccombe and turned off into a track between fields. A lovely open vista lay before us.

After passing through a small wood we followed  field edge path, admiring the wide set-aside with loads of Oxeye daisies and butterflies. Hats off to the farmer!

Continuing towards Faccombe we found two isolated buildings, described as barns, but clearly renovated or rebuilt. There was no sign of life.

Entering Faccombe we were drawn to the pretty village pond. I was delighted to see a baby cootbriefly emerge from the vegetation at the edge of the pond. The village pub lies beyond.

We passed the the 18th century Faccombe Manor ...

... and the church of St Barnabas (1865-66).

Leaving the village, we followed a path downhill which then led gradually up Pilot Hill, the highest point in Hampshire at 286m.

On the way up we were pleased to see these pale pink orchids.

We crossed a large field and joined the Wayfarer's Way mainly through light woodland to return to Ashmansworth, passing these attractive cottages on the way back to the start.

Conditions: hot and sunny.

From: Walking in the North Wessex Downs (Cicerone).

Map: Explorer 131 (Romsey, Andover & Test Valley).

Distance: 6 miles.

Rating: four stars.