Scenic Spots

Superb views.

Fyfield Down National Nature Reserve is situated in the Marlborough Downs, approximately five kilometres north west of the town of Marlborough. At the centre of Fyfield Down is the remains of a prehistoric landscape formed by the forces of nature.

The 25,000 sarsen stones on the reserve are resting in their natural setting, in contrast to the orderly rings and lines of sarsens placed by ancient people around nearby Avebury. Despite many of the stones being removed from Fyfield, the site still holds the largest naturally deposited collection of sarsens in the country.

Fyfield Down is the perfect area for a picnic lunch, or for a snooze in the warm summer sun sheltered between the gorse bushes.

Routes passing through Fyfield Down: Rockley Loop

More information: English Nature website

After approximately 2 miles heading south east along the trail from Barbury Castle to Rockley the view opens out to reveal a magnificant panarama stretching from Liddington Castle in the East to the Rockley Valley in the West. This section of chalky cay and loose rock track shares the name 'The Gallops' with many other tracks in the area.

As with much of the Marlborough Downs evidence of modern development is thankfully largely absent which lends to the feeling of timelessness.

Routes passing along The Gallops: Rockley Loop

Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve (NNR) lies on the southern edge of the Marlborough Downs and is situated on a steep south-facing scarp slope with Superb panoramic views over the Vale of Pewsey towards Salisbury Plain. The reserve includes three hills: Milk, Walkers and Knap.

Knapp Hill

Archaeological Site - Neolithic Causewayed Enclosure Situated in the vale of Pewsey this is a Neolithic causewayed camp covering some 1.6 hectares. On the north-west side, seven ditch sections follow the 255m contour. The ditch dates to 3500BC. Pottery has been found. Grid Reference: SU121636 Alton Barnes

Martinsell Hill

Archaeological Site - Iron Age C. 700BC. Large Iron Age Hill fort with single rampart and ditch covering 32 acres. The entrance to the site is uncertain but appears to be in the middle of the east corner. Some confusion is caused by a number of modern breaks in the ditch and rampart. Martinsell occupies a prominent location on the southern end of the Marlborough Downs overlooking the Vale of Pewsey. It appears to be a part of a sequence of Iron Age fortifications around the edge of this northern block of chalk land. Grid Reference: SU177638

Routes passing along the Pewsey Downs: Pewsey Downs Loop

Savernake Forest is a 400 acre expanse of ancient woodland. The forest is devided by 8 straight tracks that intersect at the centre and further There are also a labarynth of smaller tracks. Postern Hill is a large site set amongst mature oak trees within Savernake Forest. There is ample parking and a large open area with picnic tables and BBQ's.

Panoramic views over the Thames Valley.

The woods are between All Cannings and Marlborough near Lockeridge. The trees are predominantly beech and the walks are beautiful at any time of year. although the West woods are renowned for their bluebells in May. The Wansdyke runs along the southern side. There is a small car-park with a few picnic tables set back in the woods. Grid Reference: SU 16367