Barrows, Ancient Stones, Hillforts & the Ridgeway– Easter Bank Holiday Weekend

An Easter weekend based in Swindon exploring the chalk downlands of the the North Wessex Downs close to significant neolithic barrows and stone circles such as Avebury.

Saturday 4th April. 12miles/20km or 18miles/29km.

A linear hike across the Wiltshire countryside from Marlborough to Avebury and exploring the locations of ancient stone circles, barrows and villages.

Transport. X5 9.40 am from Fleming Way Swindon gets to Marlborough for 10,17am for walk to start to Avebury. At the end of the walk we will get the 42 Bus from Avebury to Marlborough at 16.38pm that gets to Marlborough for 17.05pm.

There may also be the option of car shares or group taxi shares should this be more convenient for the group.

There is the option of walking back to Marlborough along the Wessex part of the Ridgeway for 6miles/10km which would make the total length of the hike to 18miles/29km.

Sunday 5th April, 15miles/24km
A liner hike from the small market town of Calne to Avebury along sections of the White Horse Trail and Old Bath Road past Windmill Hill and Cherhill Hill and Monument.

Transport. The 55 bus at 9.15am gets to Calne for 10.10am, there are regular buses back from Calne to Swindon.

Monday 6th April, 14miles/23km Circular

A circular hike from Wroughton to Barbury Castle and the White Horse Hill figure at Winterbourne Down using sections of the Ridgeway.
The 10,05 am bus from Fleming Way Swindon gets to Wroughton for 10,23am. After the walk we will get a return bus back to central Swindon.

The walks may be changed or some of the logistics altered nearer the date.

Hike Cost/Meetup/organizer: £40 for complete weekend (organizer hike fee) or £15 per day if you just want to do each hike as a day hike or just part of the weekend. As this is a weekend away trip we need payment in advance, please contact the organizer by meetup message for details.

Transport and accommodation needs to be booked yourselves. Please do this ASAP for accommodation in particular. Many booking sites offer free cancellation and prices often go up nearer the date. Many hotel booking sites offer free cancellation options. Although unlikely if numbers signing up are exceptionally low this weekend may be cancelled. We will be based in Swindon for accommodation, evening outs and take public transport or car shares to the walk start and end points (final details nearer the date).

Parking could be expensive in Swindon if coming by car. If you don't mind walking there is often free residential roadside parking in some areas on the edge of town. (please check for any restrictions).

Trains go to Swindon from London.

A watsapp group will be set up for this trip around one month before the trip. Please contact the organizer if you want to be added.

We will meetup in Swindon for drinks food and socials during the weekend. Option to go out on Friday evening the 3rd April in Swindon.

Walking Safety
Walking is a great way to keep fit & generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking shoes, warm & wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/London-Explorers/pages/3170152/Terms_and_Conditions/)

COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.