PEWSEY DOWNSAROUND
35 MILE ROUTE
BW - Bridleway, CB - Compass Bearing, CP - Check Point, FP - Footpath, L - Left, M - Metre, MWW - Mid Wilts Way, R - Right, TL - Turn Left, TR - Turn Right, RD - Road, TK - Track, SO - Straight On, ST - Stile, X - Cross.
Please bring map (Landranger 173 or Explorer 157), compass, and mug.
There is a CUT-OFF at CP3 after 25 miles. The sweeper will leave at 16.15 and you will be retired if you have not left by this time. This will be strictly enforced. You will be offered transport back to the Pewsey Scout Hut.
Please note that the wiltshire downs are extensively farmed with sheep. Close all gates. Keep dogs on leads.
Checkpoints on this route
CP1 Knap Hill car park (SU116637), 7.3 miles. Opens 09:00, Closes 13:00
CP2 Calstone Wellington (SU027682), 17.4miles. Opens 11:00, Closes 13:30
CP3 Avebury Sports and Social Club (SU102697), 24.6 miles. Opens 11.45, Closes 16:00
CP4 Huish (SU142628), 31.5 miles. Opens 11.00, Closes 17.45
Finish Pewsey Scout Hut (SU162601), 35.5 miles, Closes 19:00
PEWSEY to KNAP HILL, 7.3 miles
1.1 From the Scout Hut X RD and go down path past car park to Main Road. TL & at the mini-roundabout, TR into Broomcroft Road and in 65M take FP on L into Scotchel Nature Reserve. Follow path through reserve to TK & minor RD & TR under railway bridge. (SU162604).
1.2 SO for 100M to X stream by house (Buckleaze Mill). Continue on path for 200M, which bends to the L, and then continue straight on to reach lane and houses. Turn L down bridleway at end of lane. X bridge over tiny River Avon & then over canal at Pains Bridge. SO on TK to pass tarmac drive on L in 350M.
Continue SO on TK for 600M to reach RD (SU163623).
1.3 TL & in 190M, just beyond bungalow on L, TR onto FP and follow field edge to top L of field to meet TK. X TK and through metal gate. SO across field, CB 34, for 140M to go through metal gate on the R. TL, keep hedge on L & steeply ascend the Giant's Grave. Continue SO with fence on your L to pass trig point (SU166632).
1.4 SO for 360M to X broken ST by gate & continue SO keeping fence on L ignoring MWW marker. Ascend slope for a further 500M to reach fence corner by large metal gate. TL, keeping fence on your L, for 500M to reach a track at field corner. TL down stony track still with fence on L for 550M to reach main road.
1.5 X BUSY MAIN RD (A345). TL on BW for 800M to 'Huish Down Farm' sign. TL (ignoring FP on L) to follow main TK for 100M to where main TK bears L towards isolated house. SO through gate onto green TK (west, CB 290) for 500M, first through a plantation of young trees and a metal gate, then across open field to 2 large gates. Go through R hand gate, keeping fence on your L for a further 600M to field corner where fence and path bear R. Continue on path for 100M with fence still on your L to go through metal gate. (SU147646).
1.6 Immediately TL through a 2nd metal gate to go down green TK and after 300M go through metal gates to a X-TK (SU142645). SO through gate to follow path due west on MWW. Continue uphill to X next ST/ gate. Bear slightly left and follow vague path towards corner of wood, to reach & X gate/metal stile. SO (due south), aiming for 1st tree on L on the horizon, to reach sign-post (SU138641).
Here the 10 mile route turns left
1.7 TR (west, CB250) on MWW & continue on with steep escarpment & fence on your left. (The views on your L are across the Vale of Pewsey.) SO for 450M to gate/metal ST. X ST with fence now on your R. SO in same direction for 500M and, at fence corner, X further gate/metal ST & continue SO due west for 600M to meet fence coming in from R. X metal ST & SO following MWW for 500M to gate. TR to go through Knap Hill car park.
Checkpoint 1, Knap Hill car park (SU116637), 7.3 miles
Opens 09:00, Closes 13:00
KNAP HILL TO CALSTONE WELLINGTON, 10.1 miles
2.1 X BUSY RD. Go through gate & immediately TL through a 2nd gate. SO down field and bear R to gate which is 150M on R. Through this gate then bear L (still on MWW) to further gate. Through gate and bear slightly right for 40M to earth bank. Immediately TR & follow earth bank uphill on grassy path which goes up and around hillside on right to pass above the Alton Barnes White Horse (700M from the earth bank). SO to reach gate (SU105638).
2.2 SO the main path following MWW for 400m with gorse bushes on the right. After gorse bushes, bear right to top of escarpment to gate.SO on MWW for 200M to 2nd gate. SO, still keeping fence on your R, for 300M to reach 3rd gate. TR on MWW & follow fence on R through 4th gate.
Here the 17 mile route turns R up the Wansdyke
TL down track for 200m to TK at SU100646.
2.3 Through gate on embankment on R and follow Wansdyke (west). SO on path on top of Wansdyke for 500M to wooden gate. SO for 750M to metal gate, SU087647. SO for further 800M to reach 2 wooden gates. Go through gates and continue SO (north) for 30M to join stony TK. Bear L on TK for 150M to T junction (SU081653).
At this point the 26 & 35 mile routes separate. The 26 mile route turns right
2.4 SO through metal gate (hidden in dip) and continue west on top of the Wansdyke for 1200M, Xing 2 TKs, to reach farm buildings. Pass on the R of the buildings, go through metal gate and TL to rejoin the dyke. Continue on Wansdyke, through 1 gate to reach a X TK with 2 metal gates. Continue on the Wansdyke for a further 600M to meet another X TK with 2 metal gates (SU057658). TL here along TK (leaving the Wansdyke & MWW).
2.5 SO on TK for 1400M, passing a black barn and later going through a farm yard, to reach RD (SU049646). TR & in 10M go through kissing gate on L.
At this point you have two options, follow the route diagonally across the fields with livestock in as described here, to the footbridge or follow the permissive path around the fields.
Go diagonally across the field through the metal gate, TL, 50m TR through metal gate, then 30m to metal kissing gate on the far side of the field. Continue with fence on L to go through metal kissing gate and X a footbridge.
SO to X a second footbridge. TR & in 25M bear L to follow the field edge, with fence/hedge on your R, for 340M to a signpost and ST in front of thatched, white house on R (SU044643).
2.6 Do not X ST but bear L on grassy TK (aiming SW, CB230, to L of church steeple) and X field to X another footbridge. SO, keep hedge on R, to go through a wooden gate that exits to a drive in Bishops Cannings. TL to reach minor RD & X over into Church Walk & through the churchyard. Follow path to reach The Crown pub. TL & in 80M TR in to Estate Yard (SU037641).
2.7 SO to gate/ST & X ST. SO keeping fence on L to X another ST. Go diagonally R across field to reach gate/ST in field corner. X ST, TL & follow RD. Just before the junction with the main road TL to follow gravel path to cross A361 via the underpass
2.7 TR on BW going north through double metal gate. Follow TK for 300M to L bend. TR and immediately TL on permissive path on field edge going uphill with woods on your left over the brow of the hill. SO keeping fence immediately on your L to go through gate to reach BUSY RD (SU034653).
2.8 X RD, TL & SO (care) for 125M & TR through farmyard. Follow TK SO towards Furze Knoll for 800M to X TK. SO through gate and continue to reach 2nd gate. Go slightly R uphill, CB 30, keeping the small building approx 50M to your L, to reach & pass through 3rd gate (at head of slight grassy gully). Bear L to reach 4th gate in 20M. Turn half R & proceed up incline, due north, keeping the right-hand wireless mast approx 200M to your L to go through 5th gate (SU032669).
2.9 TL & after 60M TR at fence corner, signed MWW and diagonally across the field with trough & gate marked PRIVATE on your R. Continue with fence on R (passing wireless masts over to your L) over brow of hill to reach way-marked gate by stockade. SO down gully, leaving MWW, to gate & TK. X TK & go over ST. SO down, keeping hedge on your L, for 600M to reach a small wood. Continue down main TK, with wood now on your R (ignore BW on your L). When TK bears to L, TR on FP through wooden gate. SO for 20M then go through large metal gate on your L. Bear R down field and X ST to reach Church car park. TL to CP2 in Churchyard.
Location for CP2 is now in churchyard
Checkpoint 2, Calstone Wellington (SU027682). 17.4 miles
Opens 11:00, Closes 13:30
CALSTONE WELLINGTON to AVEBURY, 7.2 miles
There is a CUT-OFF at the next CP. If you have not departed CP3 before 16:15 you will be retired from the event. This will be strictly enforced. You will be offered transport back to the Pewsey Scout Hut.
3.1 AH down TK to reach RD. TR for 550M and, 10M past South Farm, take L path downhill round bend to X stream & in 10M TR on path to go uphill to reach TK at a way-marked T-junction. TR uphill & in 70M TR again. Follow TK, ignoring the gate/ST on bend after 480M, to reach gate/ST (just after passing sheep pens on your R) by National Trust sign. SO on TK & then grassy path to ascend obvious ridge-line, gradually turning towards the monument. When the path almost reaches gate/ST on R, TL and go slightly down to gate/ST in 40M. SO on main TK for 100M then TR up gully & ascend to reach gate/ST. X ST & TR, go through gate & continue to the Cherhill Monument.
3.2 TL just before the Monument & follow the rampart to its L for 270M to reach the Cherhill White Horse. When directly above the horse, bear R (east) across grass to reach fence. Keep fence on your L for 20M to reach a large wooden gate at fence corner. TR and, keeping fence on your L for 30M, reach fence corner. TL & go steeply down to TK. TL & go through gate/ST, downhill to another gate/ST and pass to L of metal barn. SO downhill on main TK & in 220M TR onto TK (waymarks on post). SO on this TK for 1300M to go through small metal gate. Continue SO and in a further 300M, just after TK dips sharply, TL (SU070695) downhill on path for 240M to small wood and main road.
3.3 X VERY BUSY RD (A4) and SO down tarmac TK NE. In 800M SO at X TKs. SO past clay pigeon shoot with green buildings on L, and SO in a further 250M where TK splits at the cycle track sign. Continue SO NE for 800M to reach TK joining from the R at the start of a small wood. Ignore this TK & in 200M at X paths, TR through wooden gate. Follow path uphill, CB 120, to Windmill Hill. Follow path (CB 110) over righthand tumulus and then continue SO (CB 100) to reach wooden gate at fence corner just behind another tumulus. Through gate and SO downhill, with fence on your L, through a small metal gate and SO to a large metal gate (SU097712).
3.4 Pass through this gate & immediately TR over ST sign-posted Avebury. SO across field, with fence/hedge on R, to X 3 STs. SO with fence/hedge on L. X 3 fields via STs to X footbridge. TL to X yet another ST, TL on tarmac path to path junction (SU096699).
Here the 26 mile route joins from Right
TL & SO to join lane into Avebury. SO on lane until it turns R, then SO on path between wall on L and white house, then bear R to go through churchyard to RD.
Change of route for 2018
TL and in 60M at 4 way fingerpost on R TR on enclosed FP SP Car Park. As path BR continue AH through SWG and continue down LHS of playing field. Just before building TL through SMG next to building and proceed round building to enter CP.
Checkpoint
3, Avebury Sports and Social Club (SU102697).
24.6 miles
Opens 11:00, closes 16:00
AVEBURY to HUISH, 7.5 miles
Sweeper will depart at 16:15. If you have not departed by this time you will be retired from the event. This will be strictly enforced. You will be offered transport back to the Pewsey Scout Hut.
4.1 Exit checkpoint via double LWG to main RD. TL and cross RD to TR at T-Junc. In 20M TR through SWG and follow path through The Avenue to end of field. At end of field pass throu two SWG in LH corner and TR uphill in field with fence on R. Decend to corner and TL with trees on R to field corner. Exit field via SWG to RD (SU103683).
End of change of route
X bridge over River Kennett, then SO for 200M to RD junction at East Kennett (SU120675).
4.4 Continue ahead on RD for 100M to RD junction. TL & SO for 300M. Just past houses on R, bear R along the drive of East Kennett Manor Farm & pass to L of farm buildings. 100M after farm buildings, just before main TK bears R, bear L and follow the wide TK going uphill with a fence on R for 1500M where it enters into a small, narrow wood (SU120653). Follow TK through wood to reach X TKs immediately after emerging from wood.
Here the 17 mile route joins from the right
TL over ST by gate. SO across field (east, CB 110) on grass TK for 300M to reach lone beech tree at a fence corner. SO, with fence on L, down to gate (SU125647).
4.5 Go through gate, X RD, and X ST by gate. SO uphill along grassy TK, keeping fence on L, to metal gates at end of field. Go through L metal gate and SO, now with fence on R. Continue on main path around bend, with fences on your L&R, to reach far end of TK after a further 300M. TL and follow fence on R for 250M. Bear R on enclosed FP (SU138649).
4.6 SO & downhill. Then SO uphill on path, with fences on your L&R, to enter field. SO keeping fence on your L for 20M to ST and metal gate on L. Through gate and X field (SE, CB140) to reach a wide TK. SO on TK for 40M to 5-Way Junction with fingerpost on L (SU142645). Turn hard right through wooden gate signposted MMW (same route you took this morning). [Route change for 2017 to avoid quagmire in Gopher Woods]. Follow path due west on MWW. Continue uphill to X next ST/ gate. Bear slightly left and follow vague path towards corner of wood, to reach & X gate/metal stile. SO (due south), aiming for 1st tree on L on the horizon, to reach sign-post (SU138641).
4.7 Go through large metal gate and bear L down hill towards edge of wood (east, CB 100). Follow main path as it curves steeply down to the R. Keep the hedge/fence on your L for 400M as you continue downhill to reach a large metal gate. Go through gate, SO on TK, still with hedge/fence on L, for further 450M to reach gate & lane. Continue down RD to Draycott Farm and CP.
Checkpoint 4, Huish (SU142628), 31.5 miles
Opens 11:00, Closes 17:45
HUISH to PEWSEY, 4.0 miles
5.1 Continue down RD. At hard R bend in RD, by house 'New Mead', continue SO on BW along L edge of field to end of field. TL and in 20M TR through gate. SO, due east, to follow broken line of mature trees across grassy field to reach wooden fence on South side of wood. SO, keeping wood and stout wooden fence on your L for 120M then go through a wooden gate. Continue SO for 60M with fence still on your left to corner. Go half R, CB 50, for 70M to gate and FP sign-post. Go through wooden gate, immediately TR through 2nd gate & follow BW, due east, along R field edge for 250M to X ST by gate.
Continue across yard to lane (SU156631).
5.2 TL following the lane through Oare village to reach main RD, A345, in 240M. X RD into Pound Lane. SO for 420M, past all buildings to reach a path junction.
Here the 26 mile route continues SO down Pound Lane
TR onto footpath heading south, continue along R field edge for 500M to reach Sunnyhill Lane (SU161623).
5.3 X RD to ST opposite. X ST and continue in same direction (south, CB 160) across field & through hedge gap. Bear slightly L, CB 150, to reach ST 50M from far L hand corner of this large field. X ST and continue slightly L for 40M, CB 140, to X ST. TR on TK, SO & ignore tarmac drive joining from R, to X canal at Pains Bridge (SU164612).
Here the 26 mile route rejoins from the left
5.4 TL down FP to X bridge over River Avon. SO for 150M to where your TK becomes a lane. TR on RD and SO. After 100M the RD becomes a FP. Continue SO path with field on your L. FP turns R and goes downhill (railway embankment now on your L). SO to X stream by house & reach RD. SO and in 120M TL under railway bridge. Immediately after bridge, TL and go through gate. Follow path through nature reserve & at exit TR to mini-roundabout. TL into North Street, X RD carefully, and in 100M TR into Goddard Road.
Continue up path on L to Scout Hut (SU162601) & the finish.
Congratulations! You have completed the 35 mile Pewsey Downsaround!
You must be back at the Scout Hut before 19:00