Walk feature.qxp_Layout 2 22/02/2017 11:19 Page 2
WALK | THE WALK ● After 500 metres, follow the path as it curves left along the escarpment (SU111635). After another 350 metres, you round a corner and the White Horse, hidden until now, suddenly appears before you. Cut in 1812, it was last restored in 2010, when 150 tons of fresh chalk was brought in by helicopter. Carry on round the top of it, go through a gate and carry on, with a fence up to your right. After 350 metres, when the fence turns sharp right, bear right along a path running parallel to it. ● After heading north for 600 metres, go through a gate and carry on downhill, keeping the fence on your left. When you reach a farm track, turn left along it (SU102646). To your right is the Wansdyke, which can be seen heading westward along the contours, while over to the north is the unmistakable profile of Silbury Hill. ● However tempting it may be to follow the Wansdyke, to head back you need to follow the track to the left of it, leading gently down from the escarpment. After a while it curves south and the hills close in. If you time it right, the way the late afternoon sun sculpts the curves and hollows of the chalk downland into something akin to a murmuration of starlings, or breaking waves, can seem magical. At such times, it is not difficult to see why ancient peoples were so drawn to these high hills. ● After passing a track leading to a large barn on the left, you come to a fork, where you bear left. This track leads to another barn (SU090632). From here, there is a footpath marked on the map as crossing the field to the left, but as there is no sign of it, it is easier to carry on along the track to the right of the barn. ● When you come to a road, cross and head along a turning to Stanton St Bernard. After 350 metres, when the road curves left by the church, carry straight on, before turning right into the yard of a riding centre, where a muddy bridleway on the left leads to the canal. After crossing a bridge, go through a gate on the right and under the bridge to head east along the towpath back to Honeystreet. ■
At a glance... ■
Length and time: 7 miles; 3-4 hours
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Level of difficulty: Generally easy with few stiles, but with some climbing.
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Starting point: The Barge Inn; the-barge-inn.com
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Map: OS Explorer 157
THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK
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MARCH 2017
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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 75