The Kennet Valley

Relaxed Guided Walks around the woods, downs and ancient sites of Wiltshire

The Kennet Valley

Traditionally the River Kennet is said to rise at Swallowhead Springs, close to West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill. In reality, the Kennet is formed from two other small rivers, the Winterbourne and the Sambourne, the actual source being at Winterbourne Bassett north of Avebury. The Kennet flows from here down to Avebury, across the fields past Silbury Hill and then over to Swallowhead Springs. The river is navigable by footpath and back roads from Winterbourne right through to Hungerford, and therefore makes for ideal walking.

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Distance:	10 miles	Walk Time:	3½ - 4 Hrs	Total Time:	4½ - 5 Hrs
No of Climbs	1	Terrain:	Rise of 200 ft	Difficulty:	Moderate 2.5
Price Band:	C	Features:	F M S G	Day:	4th Wed A.M.

KW2 - West. Kennet Valley and Fyfield Downs

A more strenuous walk involving a degree of side road walking for the initial stage. We leave Marlborough via Treacle Bolly and follow the Kennet Valley to Fyfield. A short walk along the A4 brings us to ‘Piggle Dene’ - an entrance to Fyfield Downs and its famous Sarson Stones or ‘Grey Wethers’. Our walk continues on the Marlborough Downs with a visit to ‘Devil’s Den’, returning into Marlborough either via The White Horse Trail, or Clatford Bottom.

Distance:	5 miles	Walk Time:	1 - 1½ Hrs	Total Time:	3 Hrs
No of Climbs	1	Terrain:	Rise of 170 ft	Difficulty:	Easy - 2
Price Band:	B	Features:	F M N S G	Day:	2nd & 4th Tues P.M.

KW1 - West. River Kennet Starter

Another gentle ‘starter’; looking at the Kennet around Marlborough town, then following westwards along the ridge to the north of the Kennet Valley, past Marlborough’s White Horse. We drop down into Manton, where we meet the river and follow it back into Marlborough, through ‘Treacle Bolly’ and past the original entrance into Marlborough from the south, ‘Butterfly Alley’.

Distance:	10 miles	Walk Time:	3½ Hrs	Total Time:	4 - 4½ Hrs
No of Climbs	1	Terrain:	Climb - 200 ft	Difficulty:	Easy - 1.5
Price Band:	C	Features:	F M S G	Day:	1st & 3rd Thurs A.M.

KE2 - East. Marlborough to Axford, return overlooking the Kennet Valley.

The walk starts in Marlborough. We take a short walk westwards to Preshute returning along the Kennet via Treacle Bolly. We follow the river part-way through Marlborough, and rejoin it at the east of the town, following close to the river on its north bank to Minal, and crossing to the south bank for the remaining two miles to Axford, passing Cunetio, the site of an important Roman settlement. From Axford we return our journey by climbing up to the ridge south of the Kennet Valley, giving good clear views back towards Marlborough and the Marlborough Downs. On our return we pass up into Savernake Forest and walk around to Postern Hill overlooking Marlborough. A short walk downhill takes us back into Marlborough.

Distance:	5 miles	Walk Time:	2 - 2½ Hrs	Total Time:	3 Hrs
No of Climbs	0	Terrain:	Flat	Difficulty:	Very Easy - 1.5
Price Band:	B	Features:	F M N S G	Day:	1st & 3rd Thurs P.M.

KE1 - East. River Kennet Starter

A gentle ‘starter’ Guided Walk. The walk starts in Marlborough, where we visit the river at various points from Preshute in the west, and then around the town. We meet the river again in the east of the town and walk the south bank to the other side of Minal, where we cross over the river and return into Marlborough along the north bank.

Key to Features
available during walks

Ancient Site

Bluebells (mid April - end May

Monuments

Suitable for Newcomers

Fruit & Nuts
(Autumn)

New - Geocache on this Walk

Scenic Views