Pewsey Vale Circular Walk

This one-week walking itinerary takes you on our long-distance route - the Pewsey Vale Circular Way - the walking route for which is just over 77 miles and follows rights of way with the Vale of Pewsey at its heart. This route includes dramatic downland with exceptional views, quintessential English villages and country pubs, the tranquility of the Kennet & Avon Canal and the beauty of walking through the Vale, surrounded by stunning downland.
There are two routes - one for walking and the other for riding or cycling. The two routes are largely the same but divert at certain points where walkers follow a footpath and riders/cyclists take a bridleway or byway or are sometimes diverted along a country lane.
Places of interest on or close to the route are listed in each stage of the walk.
Be mindful of your own walking pace and when and where you have to meet your pick up at the end of the day.
You can of course take this route at your own pace and stay a bit longer, or pick out selected days if your stay is shorter or modify the start and end point of each section and the direction you walk.

The most common waymarker you will see where the route is for both walkers and riders

The walkers only route where footpaths are used and therefore cyclists and horse riders are not permitted

The rider route where a byway or bridleway is used. Walkers could also use this route if they preferred.
Planning your route
We have divided the Pewsey Vale Circular Walking route in to 7 stages and have assumed an anti-clockwise direction. However if you wish to do the route in a clockwise direction, then the timings for the morning and afternoon won't differ too much, so the order can just be reversed. The pace that we have set enables you to take time to admire views, take photos, stop for snacks and all the other things that we like to do when we are out walking!
Click on each section below to access the detailed itinerary for that stage, or to download the stage's gpx file for use on your walking app, or to print out a map.
We have detailed important information about the route, its waymarking and tricky navigation points, as well as information about preparing before you set off. We would strongly advise you to read this information as it will help you as you travel the route. Just click on the button below.
Find out about places to eat - perhaps for lunch or in the evening. And have a look at where you can stay - maybe in one location for the week, or at different accommodation providers along the route with your baggage following on.
Daily Itinerary for the Pewsey Vale Circular Way
11.5 miles / 18.5 kms
Food - take a packed lunch or go to The Pelican Inn, Froxfield.

Stage 1 - Ham to Great Bedwyn
This stage of the Pewsey Vale Circular Way takes you from the pretty village of Ham, through beautiful and peaceful countryside and woodland to the village of Froxfield, then on to the historic settlements of Chisbury and Great Bedwyn.
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Ham to Froxfield
5 miles / 8 kms
Approximately 2 hours
Lunch at The Pelican Inn in Froxfield or packed lunch
Approximately 1.5 hours
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Froxfield to Great Bedwyn
6.5 miles / 10.5 kms
Approximately 3 hours
Places of interest along the way
Littlecote Roman Villa & Mosaic

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St Martin’s Chapel Chisbury & Chisbury Camp

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St Mary’s Church – Great Bedwyn

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All Saints’ Church – Ham

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Crofton Beam Engines

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Wilton Windmill

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There are two routes that you can take for Stage 2. This is because we are unable to waymark in Savernake Forest, but wanted to include it as an option - it is very ancient woodland, with lots of wildlife and amazing trees.
The first route below is Stage 2 - Waymarked Route which takes you from Great Bedwyn to St Katharine's and then on to Durley, the Kennet & Avon Canal and finally to Wootton Rivers. This route is 7 miles (11.3 kms).
The second route below is Stage 2 - Non-Waymarked Route which takes you from Great Bedwyn to St Katharine's, then into Savernake Forest to Durley (this is the stretch that isn't waymarked) and then to the Kennet & Avon Canal and finally to Wootton Rivers. This route is 9.5 miles (15.3 kms).
Itinerary for waymarked route:
7 miles / 11.3 kms
Food
If you are starting in the morning, lunch at The Royal Oak in Wootton Rivers
If you are starting in the afternoon, lunch at The Three Tuns in Great Bedwyn
Stage 2 - Waymarked Route

Stage 2 of the Pewsey Vale Circular Way starts in the pretty and vibrant village of Great Bedwyn, taking you westwards, through pretty hamlets and then on to the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal to the interesting village of Wootton Rivers.
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Great Bedwyn to Wootton Rivers
7 miles / 11.3 kms
Approximately 3.5 hours
Lunch at The Royal Oak, Wootton Rivers
Approximately 1.5 hours
Itinerary for non-waymarked route into Savernake Forest:
9.5 miles / 15.3 kms
Food - packed lunch which you can buy from The Post Office in Great Bedwyn - fresh rolls and pastries.
Stage 2 - Non-Waymarked Route into Savernake Forest

Stage 2 of the Pewsey Vale Circular Way via Savernake Forest starts in the pretty and vibrant village of Great Bedwyn, taking you westwards. Savernake Forest is an ancient forest and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with plenty of wildlife and (in April/May) a carpet of bluebells. Then back to the main Pewsey Vale Circular Way route, through pretty hamlets and on to the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal to Wootton Rivers.
A packed lunch is advised which you may want to stop for in Savernake Forest.
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Great Bedwyn to St Katharine's (SU 252 649). Take the diversion from St Katharine's into Savernake Forest and onwards to rejoin the waymarked route at Durley (SU 237 641).
6.2 miles / 10 kms
Approximately 3 hours
Stop for packed lunch in Savernake Forest
Approximately 1 hour
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Durley to Wootton Rivers
3.3 miles / 5.3 kms
Approximately 2 hours
Places of interest along the way
St Andrew’s Church – Wootton Rivers

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St Mary’s Church – Great Bedwyn

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Burbage Wharf

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Kennet & Avon Canal

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Crofton Beam Engines

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Wilton Windmill

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13 miles / 21 kms
Food - Take a packed lunch or divert off the Pewsey Vale Circular Way down in to Honeystreet to have lunch at the Honeystreet Mill Cafe.

Stage 3 of the Pewsey Vale Circular Way takes you from the lovely village of Wootton Rivers, up into the Pewsey Downs. Expect some tough climbs which are rewarded with spectacular views, beginning at Martinsell Hill. You'll encounter the Alton Barnes White Horse, as well as Adam's Grave and the Pewsey National Nature Reserve. There are ancient earthworks and strip lynchets to see and part of the route takes you along the Wansdyke path - a 50 mile ancient earthwork which marked the northern boundary of the kingdom of Wessex. It's an exhilarating stretch with plenty to see.
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Wootton Rivers to Walkers Hill
7 miles / 11.3 kms
Approximately 3.5 hours
Packed lunch or lunch at the Honeystreet Mill Cafe
Honeystreet Mill Cafe is 1.5 miles / 2.4 kms from the Pewsey Vale Circular Way, diverting off at Walkers Hill. You can download the gpx file for this diversion here.
Lunch plus walking of 3 miles / 4.8 kms - approximately 2.5 hours in total
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Walkers Hill to Bishops Cannings
6 miles / 9.7 kms
Approximately 3 hours
Places of interest along the way
St Mary the Virgin Church – Bishops Cannings

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St Andrew’s Church – Wootton Rivers

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Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve

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Martinsell Hill

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Alton Barnes White Horse, Milk Hill

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Adam’s Grave, Walker’s Hill

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12.9 miles / 20.7 kms
Food - packed lunch or at The Millstream in Marden. Divert to Bottlesford for lunch at The Seven Stars Inn.

This stage of the Pewsey Vale Circular Way takes you from the delightful village of Bishops Cannings, along the Kennet & Avon Canal and then on to the villages of the Vale - All Cannings, Patney, Chirton and Marden, all with wonderful views of the Pewsey Downs to the north. Finishing in Upavon, you will have passed along ancient droves and the edge of Salisbury Plain on your way.
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Bishops Cannings to Marden
7 miles / 11.25 kms
Approximately 3.5 hours
Lunch at The Millstream Marden or packed lunch or divert off at Marden village to go to The Seven Stars Inn in Bottlesford
The Seven Stars Inn is 2 miles / 3.2 kms from the Pewsey Vale Circular Way. You can download the gpx file for this diversion here.
Approximately 1.5 to 3 hours
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Marden to Upavon
5.9 miles / 9.5 kms
Approximately 3 hours
Places of interest along the way
St Mary the Virgin Church – Bishops Cannings

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Marden Henge – Hatfield Earthworks

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Kennet & Avon Canal

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11 miles / 17.7 kms
Food - packed lunch. The Shears Inn is at the end of the stage.

Stage 5 of the Pewsey Vale Circular Way leaves Upavon and heads over to Milton Hill with the most spectacular views across to the northern Pewsey Downs. Divert off here to visit the Pewsey White Horse. Then it is over to Collingbourne Ducis, finishing at The Shears Inn.
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Upavon to Milton Hill.
5.9 miles / 9.5 kms
Approximately 3 hours
Packed lunch at Milton Hill
Approximately 1 hour
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Milton Hill to Collingbourne Ducis
5.1 miles / 8.2 kms
Approximately 2.5 hours
Places of interest along the way
Giant’s Grave Milton Hill

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Pewsey White Horse

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10.2 miles / 16.4 kms
Food - packed lunch

Starting at The Shears Inn in Collingbourne Ducis, this stage takes you through woodland and out on to the open downland. Passing through Hippenscombe Bottom and Fosbury, you will finish at the small village of Oxenwood. There are some lovely views on this stage.
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Collingbourne Ducis to Hippenscombe
5.35 miles / 8.6 kms
Approximately 3 hours
Stop for packed lunch
Approximately 1 hour
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Hippenscombe to Oxenwood
4.85 miles / 7.8 kms
Approximately 2.5 hours
Places of interest along the way
11.8 miles / 19 kms
Food - packed lunch

Stage 7 of the Pewsey Vale Circular Way takes you from the quiet village of Oxenwood up on to the hills and briefly into West Berkshire! Here we follow the Wayfarers' Walk, Test Way and the Mid Wilts Way, passing Combe Gibbet and arriving at our destination of Ham.
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Oxenwood to Buttermere Bottom
5.35 miles / 8.6 kms
Approximately 3 hours
Stop for packed lunch
Approximately 1 hour
Walk the Pewsey Vale Circular Way from Buttermere Bottom to Ham
6.45 miles / 10.4 kms
Approximately 3 hours
Places of interest along the way
Combe Gibbet

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All Saints’ Church – Ham

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Ham Hill Nature Reserve

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How to organise your holiday
By Car:
The Vale of Pewsey is easily accessed from Junction 14 or 15 on the M4 or from the A303, take the turning to Tidworth (if coming from the west) or (if coming from the east) you can take the turning to Andover West & Marlborough or turn off at the Countess roundabout at Amesbury on to the A345.
By Train:
There are two mainline stations in the Vale of Pewsey on the Great Western Railway - Bedwyn in the east of the Vale and Pewsey in the centre of the Vale. The service is operated by Great Western Railways.
By Bus:
Go to the Bustimes.org for bus service information for the area.
Go to Salisbury Reds who operate the local bus services.
You will need transport to take you to the start of each day's walking and again to collect you at the finish point each day. You may also want your luggage transferring between accommodation if you choose to do a multi-centre holiday.
These are all local taxi companies who do this type of work.