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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
9 nights, 8 days walking
Total Distance:
96 miles
Min/max daily distance:
7.5/15 miles
Average Daily distance:
12 miles
Grading:
easy to moderate
Features:
8 White Horses
The Wiltshire Downs
River Kennet
Kennet and Avon Canal
Avebury Ring
Caen Hill Flight of locks
Connects with:
Great Stones Way
The Ridgeway
Kennet and Avon Canal
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 Broad Hinton 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. Due to the lack of accommodation at Broad Hinton you will be transferred back to Marlborough for your overnight stay, and transferred back to Broad Hinton the following morning.
The white horse at Broad Town is one of the smallest, it was cut in 1863 but was lost until the 1990's. Today with route connects with the Great Stones Way. 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. Walking from the white horse at Cherhill, the White Horse Trail joins with the Wessex Ridgeway for a short distance. The World Heritage Site of Avebury 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, 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
If you would like to start the walk in a different location to Westbury, just book it online and state in the "special requests" box where you would like to commence the walk.
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This walking holiday in the UK operates March to October and in either direction. The above distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too. Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages. Rest days can be taken in any location. Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of England or the UK. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers. Online booking available. A deposit of £55 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure. |
Optional Extras
for your UK Walking Holiday
on the White Horse Trail
- upgrade to the region's most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
| Lunches
and Dinners These are not included. Evening meals: These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village. Packed lunches: These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route. |
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| White
Horse Trail 10 day itinerary: 8 day walking and 9 nights accommodation |
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| £810pp dbl/twin |
£1,071pp single occ |
£1,161pp solo traveller |
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| All prices subject to change | |||
By Car to Westbury where parking is available
By Train / Bus to Westbury
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Telephone Lines are open 7 days a week. UK +44 (0)1837 880075 or +44 (0)207 193 1252 9am to 9pm US +1 (646) 233-1541 New York 5 hours behind UK time: 4am to 4pm EST AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182 Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time: 7pm to 7am EADT CAN +1 (647) 4786251 Toronto 5 hours behind UK time: 4am to 4pm EST |
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| Holiday
Travel Insurance We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let's Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following: cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays. This is in addition to our existing booking conditions. |
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