On the bright sunny morning of Sunday 9th December, 16 members of Westbury Walkers met at the Small Grain Plantation car park, to the northwest of Devizes.
They started their walk, which was led by Lynda Croft, by following the track along the edge of the Wiltshire Wildlife Reserve of Morgans Hill, then they headed north on a bridleway between open fields until they reached a crossing with another track, leading up onto the hills near Cherhill and the distinctive Lansdown Monument at the top.
The group turned left and climbed up the hill reaching the monument to be rewarded with clear views of the route they had taken, views over Calne, and the paths that lie ahead for the rest of the walk. At the top, they took a drinks break to enjoy mulled wine, homemade mince pies, and cheese straws all home made by members.
They retraced their steps back down the hillside, to reach the crossing of footpaths again. Here, this time, they carried straight on, heading East, until they almost reached the main A361 road. Staying on the footpath, they turned right again, looking for another footpath that crossed the Wansdyke in a copse of trees.
Here, they stopped for lunch in the copse and then followed the Wansdyke for over one mile up onto Morgan’s Hill past two communications masts, that can be seen on a clear day from many miles away as they are on the highest point on the hill. The group followed a steep and muddy path descending to the edge of the Wildlife Reserve and then followed the track back to the car park.
The group had enjoyed an 8 mile walk on one of the few clear dry and sunny days in December.
Report by Lynda Croft
