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Walking Holidays in the UK |
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Walking Holiday on Wiltshire's
White Horse Trail
via Wiltshire's 8 White Horses, The Wiltshire Downs,
the Kennet and Avon Canal and Avebury Ring
Tour Duration:
9 nights, 8 days
Total Distance:
92 miles
Min/max daily distance:
9/15 miles
Average Daily distance:
13 miles
Grading:
easy
Features:
8 White Horses
The Wiltshire Downs
River Kennet
Kennet and Avon Canal
Avebury Ring
Caen Hill Flight
To start your UK walking holiday you make your own to Westbury in Wiltshire. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided walking holiday.
Walking on from Westbury, the first and oldest white horse dating back to 1778 on the White Horse Trail soon comes into view. The trail shares a short distance with two other walking trails, The Imber Range Perimeter Path and The Wessex Ridgeway. The Westbury white horse you see today was preceded by a much earlier one. The legend say it was cut to mark one of King Alfred's victories in 878AD. The trail follows the perimeter of the Army's Salisbury Plain Ranges. The views are excellent over Somerset and Wiltshire.
Walking on from Market Lavington you continue along the edge of the military range. This area of the rolling grasslands of the Wiltshire downs is alive with wildlife, providing a great chance to relax and unwind taking in the stunning vistas. The White Horse at Pewsey was first cut in 1785 and may have had a rider, but the one you see today dates back to 1937. Pewsey is Wiltshire's largest village and has the River Kennet flowing through it. There are also many fine shops and pubs.
As you leave Pewsey the trail crosses the railway line and goes through a nature reserve. Walking on you soon come to the Kennet & Avon Canal where the canal is at it highest point. The canal provides ideal habitat for all forms of wildlife and man alike. The trail passes Oare with its fine pub and skirts around the estate grounds of Rainscombe House. As you walk towards Marlborough its white horse appears in the foreground. The Marlborough white horse was cut by the boys of Marlborough School in 1804. Today's walk ends in Marlborough with fine Tudor and Georgian Buildings; the town has a good selection of pubs and shops.
Walking on from Marlborough the trail skirts the edge of Manton House and its estate ground. At Hackpen Hill the white horse was cut in 1837 to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Victoria. Hackpen Hill provides great views of the surrounding area. The Marlborough point to point course can clearly be seen below. The trail passes through Broad Hinton, with its fine old inn and on past the Iron Age Fort of Bincknoll Castle. The white horse at Broad Town is one of the smallest, it was cut in 1863 but was lost until the 1990's.
The trail passes through quiet little hamlets, rolling farmland and wooded areas; England as it perhaps used to be. The Goddard Arms makes a great lunch time stop on this easy days walking. The trail passes many medieval earthworks and Townsknoll, a Norman Moat. The white horse at Cherhill was cut in 1780 under instruction from Dr Alsop "Mad Doctor" issued from the main road via megaphone. The horse's eye is four foot across and was once filled with up turned bottles to sparkle in the sunlight.
Walking from the white horse at Cherhill, the White Horse Trail joins with the Wessex Ridgeway for a short distance. The trail enters National Trust land at Windmill Hill offering great views. At Avebury there is much to see. The World Heritage Site is most famous for the largest stone circle in Europe, Avebury Ring. West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill are the largest man made mound in Europe. The trail continues on to Milk Hill, a nature reserve with a Long Barrow. This is also the site of the Alton Barnes White Horse cut in 1812, although the first contractor fled with the fee and was hung for this and other crimes.
Walking on from Alton Barnes the trail passes through the village of Stanton St Bernard before once more joining the Kennet and Avon Canal. This canal was built in the 19th century to link the River Thames with the River Avon and has become a haven for wildlife and boat lovers alike. The White Horse at Devizes is the youngest on this tour and dates back to 2000. Devizes is an attractive market town with many fine buildings, a 19th century castle, the Wiltshire Heritage Museum, plus a good selection of shops and pubs.
Walking on from Devizes the trail follows the Kennet and Avon Canal past the flight of 16 locks at Caen Hill, perhaps the most famous lock systems in the whole of England. By the canal path at Caen Hill there is a good café and information centre. The White Horse Trail leaves the canal near Poulshot and on through rolling countryside and small villages back to your start at Westbury.
Depart after breakfast or extend your holiday and spend some time exploring.
What's included
in your UK walking holiday
on the White Horse Trail
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
Short walking breaks are also available, with 2 or 3 days walking. Just select the part of the path you want to walk.
The above distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too. We have no minimum party size and do not cancel holidays due to minimum numbers.
Optional Extras
for your UK Walking Holiday
on the White Horse Trail
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
9 nights from £539 per
person
double occupancy
All prices subject to change
By Car to Westbury where parking is available
By Train / Bus to Westbury
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Contact us for schedule and availability. Lines are open 9am to 9pm 7 days a week. |
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+44
(0)1837 880075
