If you haven't visited the Vale of Pewsey before, then it's useful to have a few ideas and pointers on how to make the most of your stay here.
The Vale of Pewsey is one of the best places in the UK to enjoy a slow, outdoorsy break: think big skies, chalk downs, canals and very few crowds.
Expect quintessential England: thatched cottages, ancient churches, the Kennet & Avon Canal and views of white horses carved into the chalk downland at Pewsey and Alton Barnes.
Get Your Bearings
The Vale of Pewsey sits in the eastern half of Wiltshire in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape (designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and on the major touring route in Southern England, the Great West Way.
The Vale is centred on the village of Pewsey and, as well as its natural beauty, it is home to unique industrial heritage, including Crofton Beam Engines and Wilton Windmill.
When & How Long To Stay?
Each season brings its own feeling and flavour to your visit.
In Spring hunt out the bluebells in ancient woodlands and watch hares boxing on the open chalk downland.
Long, summer days are great for butterflies, chalkland orchids, walking and cycling in lush greenery, village fetes and picnics in unusual places.
Autumn is rich in breathtaking displays of the seasonal colour in Savernake Forest, West Woods and Wilton and Bedwyn Brails.
Winter brings blustery weather but with the trees and hedges bare, you get some fabulous views and wildlife is often easier to spot – and that warm country pub is just begging to be visited where you can enjoy a log fire, local ales and ciders and a convivial atmosphere.
A weekend gives time for one big downland walk, a canal day and finding your favourite country pub or café.
Three to five nights lets you mix canal, downland and heritage sites as well as walking one or more stages of the Pewsey Vale Circular Way or one of the many one-day walks.
A week or more gives you an opportunity to try any of our 3 long-distance routes, which will bring you in contact with The Vale’s rich heritage and nature.
Walks, Landscapes & Things to do
Classic routes include the Pewsey Vale Circular Way, the Kennet & Avon Canal and the White Horse Trail loop from the Kennet & Avon Canal up to Martinsell Hill and Giant’s Grave, with huge views over the Vale and as far as Salisbury Cathedral on a clear day.
Explore the Kennet & Avon Canal on foot or bike taking in Pewsey Wharf, Honeystreet Mill Wharf and Crofton, taking a detour to Wilton Windmill, Crofton Beam Engines or the Crop Circle Visitor Centre & Exhibition at Honeystreet which hosts the world’s leading exhibition on crop circles.
For a longer stay, pick sections of the Pewsey Vale Circular Way, Mid-Wilts Way or Kennet & Avon Canal to create a low‑stress walking holiday with easy village-to-village stages – have a look at our long-distance routes here.
Staying, Eating & Local Colour
The Vale offers B&Bs, glamping, camping, caravanning, narrow-boats and self‑catering cottages, as well as pub-stays, farm-stays and wild camping - all in small villages scattered through the Vale and along the Canal.
Between walks, drop into country pubs, cafés and tea rooms and visit local shops and the small, independent retail locations of Woodborough Yard, The Cattle Shed in Wilton and Honeystreet Mill for local food and crafts.
If you visit in September, time your trip for Pewsey’s traditional carnival, which started in 1898 and is the oldest illuminated carnival in Wiltshire.
Getting to & Around the Vale of Pewsey
Direct trains from London to Pewsey or Bedwyn stations take around 55–65 minutes on Great Western Railway services, with multiple departures daily.
Once here, you can use the local on-demand bus service – Wiltshire Connect - to take you to anywhere in the Vale of Pewsey – and beyond!
The Vale of Pewsey is not far from the M4 (junction 14 Hungerford or junction 15 Marlborough).
Do you need some help to plan your visit?
If you share how many nights you’re planning and whether you prefer canal ambles, big hill days or village‑to‑village walks with visits to heritage sites, we can outline a day‑by‑day itinerary for your Pewsey Vale adventure. Just contact us here.