With the weather set fair for the week and nothing pressing in the diary Lynnie suggests I head off for a week’s walking. I am not keen to travel too far but at the same time want to explore somewhere I haven’t previously walked. Looking at the map I realise the North Wessex Downs is an area I haven’t walked so there is the potential to bag a few new trig pillars.
My location for the week is Baydon Hill Farm CL on the outskirts of Aldbourne. The journey to the site is straightforward and it does not take me too long to set up so I am lacing up my boots by mid afternoon and heading out for a walk.
Leaving the site I cross the road and join a footpath opposite which soon passes a horse menage.
Within a short distance I am in open countryside and heading downhill across the downs, in front of me are gallops for racehorses.
After crossing the gallops I look up the valley. I have only walked a few hundred metres but already I have the feeling I will enjoy walking in this area.
I now have the steep ascent of Green Hill in front of me. As with all hills the view from the top makes it worth the effort.
At a junction of paths I go straight over across a field towards the edge of a copse.
The path now starts to descend as it passes the edge of Officer’s Copse. I pause to look up the valley.
At the bottom of the hill I reach a junction of paths and fork to the right to join a track that passes Pigs’ Hill Woods. This is a steady ascent but again the views are worth every step.
At the top of the hill I join a track heading south. This soon turns into a minor road passing the early 19th century Grade II listed Baydon Manor.
At the end of the lane there’s a T-junction. Here I go straight across and join a footpath heading across a field. This reaches a hedge lined track which I cross and continue to head south on a fenced path.
The path starts to descend and there is another fine view up the valley.
After crossing a stream I continue to a road (B4192) and cross and pass Crowood Farm.
Heading uphill I reach a minor road and turn left and within twenty metres turn right to follow a track still heading south towards Ramsbury.
On reaching a minor road, Crowood Lane, I turn right and and walk downhill into Ramsbury passing the now closed Crown and Anchor pub. This pub first opened in 1842 but closed in October 2023 and is currently up for sale. It is a pity to see pubs like this closing down.
Turning right I continue downhill towards the centre of Ramsbury and pass the Bell Inn. This old 17th century inn sits on the Market Square, it now forms part of the 19,000 acre Ramsbury Estate, owned by the Swedish billionaire Stefan Persson.
From the Market Square I head into Back Street and pass the Holy Cross church and then take a footpath on the right leading through to some houses where I head north along a track.
I cross a stile and follow the way-marked footpath along the edge of a field.
At a junction of paths with a finger post pointing to Ramsbury (1 mile); Aldbourne (2 miles); Marlborough (8 miles); or Monte Carlo (678 miles) I opt for the Aldbourne route. Lynnie is not expecting me home for a week but I would have some explaining to do if I phoned up and said I was heading to Monte Carlo.
The track heads uphill passing a barn and then entering Southern Copse.
In the woods I pass a stone marking the boundary between Ramsbury and Axford.
I now follow this track northwards, as I near the 214 spot point on the map I go through a gap in the hedge to bag the the Ordnance Survey Aldbourne Gorse trig pillar, this is my 474th trig.
Back on the track I continue steadily downhill towards Aldbourne.
The track leads to a junction with a tarmac lane, here I turn right to continue downhill into the village where I make my way to the scenic village pond.
Close to the pond is the Crown Inn, so I decide to pop in and sample a pint of Ramsbury Gold which is brewed on the Ramsbury Estate. Refreshed by my pint I take the short walk uphill along Oxford Street to return to the caravan site.
To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map – 157 – Marlborough & Savernake Forest
You can view this 8 mile walk and download the GPX File on OS Maps (OS Maps subscription required)
4th April 2025
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2025)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.