A botanical exploration, lunch, and afternoon walk

An entirely guide-led, Walking – Talking Guided Tour. 

A high-quality day out. A fully guided morning talk, followed by luncheon and afternoon walk in the beautiful vale of Pewsey. 

Morning – Exploration of the multitude of plants bursting into life. The tour is similar to Wandering by Water by Walking Wiltshire and is led by Walking Wiltshire.

Afternoon – Exploration of the local countryside subjects include the importance of transport and the canal, villages, geology, history, the local area and a miscellany of facts led by Roaming the Paths.

Start

Starts at 9.35, muster and meet at Pewsey railway station. Timed to meet the first train from London Paddington (pending industrial action).  There will be a briefing on the day, and an equipment check (please remember to bring suitable attire for the weather, snacks and a drink).

Morning Tour

Distance – 2.3 Miles. Terrain – gentle gradients, some steps, boardwalks, and possible mud.

From there Mike from Walking Wiltshire will take you on a guided tour looking at the wonder of plants. Setting off immediately into the countryside and onward to Jones’s Mill Nature Reserve, the journey of discovery starts. The morning is spent exploring the plants and their uses. Medicinal, culinary and otherwise. Their history, folk law and legends. Their environment, and numerous other aspects of the plants seen on the day.

A thoroughly enjoyable opportunity to discover the power of some of our most common, and often unseen, companions.

Lunch

Time to relax and enjoy a lunch.

On this tour this will be Freshly made soup and sandwiches with plenty of hot drinks.

All reasonable dietary requirements will be catered for.

Introduction to the afternoon’s proceedings By Alan from Roaming the Paths. Starting with a brief after-dinner talk we will explore the geology of the Vale of Pewsey, and look at how transport has had such an effect on the area.

Afternoon Tour

Distance – 6 Miles. Terrain – gentle gradients, some steps, Style to cross, Railway crossing and some uneven surfaces.

Old and new villages

Setting off Westwards, Along the Kennet and Avon Canal, and into the Vale of Pewsey. Chance to see what plants you might have seen in the morning, and how they are growing in various different locations.

We will explore the fascinating history of Wilcot, and how villages were destroyed, and fancy canal bridges built, just to improve a view. Ancient systems of agriculture and the Lord (or Lady) of the manor were the local law. After revisiting the canal again to see the splendour of Ladies Bridge and have a chance for a rest, and maybe a photo opportunity.

History – Wiltshire and Wessex

From here we start the journey back via Swanborough Tump. and hear of the Viking invasion, King Alfred the Great and the formation of what would become England. The final leg a stroll through quiet hamlets and back lanes.

The environment

At intervals along the walk will the environment and ecosystems will be mentioned. The countryside is varied, as are the farms and farming techniques employed.  Because of this we will only touch on these subjects. For more in-depth tours relating to the environment, ecology or farming, see the Meet the…… tours.

Tea

We return to Pewsey and finish with a well-deserved sit-down, with a cuppa and a cake – or perhaps a cream tea. Stronger options are available behind the bar with an opportunity to sample many local ales, some produced onsite.

Conclusion

Those arriving by train will be guided towards the station to greet the penultimate train of the day towards the Capital. A later train is an option, and some may choose to linger.