Pewsey and the Canal DISTANCE: 10 miles MAP: OS 173 Swindon & Devizes START: Pewsey Wharf car park. Approximately a mile north of Pewsey on the A345. Pewsey wharf is on the right just before the road goes over the Kennett and Avon Canal. For a full page road map showing the start point click here.   THE WALK: Leave the car park by turning left along the canal side path towards Devizes. At the next bride, you cross over to walk with the canal to your left. Later on the footpath will again swop sides so you will walk with the canal to your right. After about 2 miles you will reach Honeystreet at bridge number 124. You may notice a diesel pump on the far side of the canal which is used to restock the boats that use this stretch of water.   After walking under bridge 124, turn off the canal path and climb up to the road. Cross the bridge and walk along the road to the village of Alton Barnes. Turn right just past the village shop to take the road leading down to the Saxon church. Just before the church is reached, pass through the unusual revolving turnstile on the left and use the cobbled path which takes you towards Alton Priors church. Pass through two more turnstiles and as the path turns sharp right in front of the church, leave it here to continue straight ahead to the next turnstile.   Reach a small lane in Alton Priors and follow it to reach the main road. Turn left here then quickly right to a small lane which soon becomes a track way which you follow uphill to the top of down land. As you emerge from the trees at the top of the climb, turn left and follow the road downhill until you reach a chalk path on the right just before the left hand bend in the road. Climb this path into Pewsey Downs Nature Reserve. The path leads steeply up with the valley sides to your left. As you reach the top, you will notice a path sweeping downhill from the left which comes from the white horse. Turn left on this path and follow it as it takes you back down to the road we left earlier.   Climb the stile and walk a short distance left along the road which you leave by turning right onto a wide track at a parking area. Follow this track through a gate. A few yards through this gate you will see a stile at the top of the bank on the left. Climb this and then aim for the notice board across the field at the start of Knapp Hill. Climb the hill, be sure to stop to appreciate the panoramic views you now have at your disposal. Your path now takes you for a mile or so along the top of the ridge.   Just before you reach a wooded area ahead, turn right to follow the footpath sign through a gate into a field. Bear left to skirt the edge of the woods and then follow the track as it descends quite steeply off the Downs. When a metalled road is reached, continue along to pass the buildings of Draycot Farm. Go straight over at the crossroads and continue down the lane.   At a junction where two lanes turn off to the right in quick succession, take the second right and follow this lane back until you reach the canal again. Turn left to follow the tow path back to Pewsey Wharf to refresh yourself at the small café next to the canal side. Links: Aerial Photos of Pewsey / The Pewsey Beer Race...and more Home / Salisbury & Wessex / New Forest / Guestbook / Links / Other Interests