Walk 26 – Laycock & Bowood

 

7 June 2010 (part of the WWA e-book revision)

The National Trust car park now costs £2 per day (free to NT members).

Page 145, second paragraph, now read:

At the far side of the copse you join a new tarmac cycle path (National Cycle Route 403). Follow it ahead, passing a recently constructed double bridge, (opened on 26 May 2009 by HRH Duchess of Cornwall as part of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust's restoration of the canal) until you come to a clearly waymarked stile on the right (B). Climb this to enter a field, then go left, to reach a further stile that you climb to enter woodland. The path leads you up to another stile giving access to a field; walk across, picking up the boundary on the left (C). Go head through a gate, cross the field to another and continue to a surfaced driveway.

 

Page 145, third paragraph

I ought emphasise that the ‘choice’ of routes is between the Right of Way up to the right, and the private track that continues ahead. So legally, no choice!

 

Page 147, point J:

Just beyond point J where there are constant reports of annual crops blocking the diagonal path across the fields, the stiles now have blue Wiltshire CC waymarks on them directing walkers to cross the fields diagonally. People should be brave and blaze that trail — the County Council are on our side! (Well, they've done the easy bit by waymarking.)

The first two fields are cropped but with footpath clearly defined. The third field is cropped but without a footpath, and on reaching the metal field gate on far side there is an electric fence on the other side to negotiate. A bit further greenhouses on right are nearly hidden behind a large hedge, which probably makes an easier landmark to head towards.

Around point K once you descend to the corner of the field there is now only one stile to climb to enter the woodland and then no further stiles before you reach the drive.

 

Thanks to Chris Chanter, Kevin and Debbie Beazer, and Robin Miller who all helped with this update.