The Wiltshire Ramblers currently total some 1,346 members divided into 6 groups, one of which is our young persons group for 20 to 40 year olds. Our groups work towards the charitable aims of Ramblers in different ways, but one thing they all do is organise programmes of led walks within Wiltshire and its neighbouring counties, and they will be pleased to welcome you.

Stonehenge

With its two World Heritage sites at Stonehenge and Avebury, Wiltshire must surely rate as 'The Ancient Capital of England'. Together with the unitary authority of Swindon, it is a delightful landlocked county, bordering Berkshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Somerset.

Characterised by high downland and wide valleys, most of which are in the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty of the North Wessex Downs, and Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs, there are magnificent walking opportunities along our 3,790 mile network of public rights of way and 66,700 acres of access land.

Wiltshire boasts world class gardens, historic houses and a masterly cathedral all set in glorious countryside. Meander along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal or take a leisurely wander through our market towns. We also have eight white horses carved into the hillsides at Alton Barnes, Broad Town, Cherhill, Devizes, Hackpen, Marlborough, Pewsey and Westbury, all of which are accessible from footpaths.

The Ramblers exists to facilitate, for the benefit of everyone, the enjoyment and discovery that walking outdoors can bring; and to promote respect for the life of the countryside. The association encourages walking; protects rights of way; defends the beauty of the countryside; and has campaigned for many years for the freedom to roam over uncultivated, open country.

If you have any comments, criticisms or suggestions regarding this web site, please contact our Webmaster.

Bradford on Avon became Wiltshire's First Walkers are Welcome town and they are currently planning to hold their first walking festival between Friday 14th and Sunday 16th September 2012. Details can be found on their Walking Festival Website.

Bookings can be made from May 1st. A summary of the walks can be found in the attached leaflet and bookings can be made using the attached Booking Form

Longleat is a private estate and for many years has had a relaxed attitude to public access. Walkers have become accustomed to this and have planned their walks accordingly.

As from January 2012, the following areas are off-limits to walkers - around the House, landscaped gardens, pleasure walk, safari and adventure parks - for reasons of safety, security and to ensure visitors buy a ticket!

Of the total 9,400 acres, the fringes of the Estate (around 8,000 acres) are still available with unlimited access for walkers. This includes Heaven's Gate, Nockatt Coppice CP and Shearwater.

The above information is provided to assist walk leaders in their planning. When further details become available from Longleat, then they will be posted here.

Alan Roberts (Area Fp Sec)

The Macmillan Trekathon is being held on Saturday 14 July 2012. Join Macmillan Cancer Support for their epic 26 mile hiking marathon from Stonehenge to Avebury this summer. With your help Macmillan can continue to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. Just £30 to enter and a £150 minimum sponsorship required.

Registration is now open. Simply visit http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Trekathon, or email or call 020 7840 7887 to register or find out more.

Are you looking for a way to help the Ramblers?

Karen Scriven has resigned from the post as she is moving to Yorkshire at the end of February. She said when she took on the job that she was seeing it as servicing the area committee, which she did in a relaxed and efficient way. She said that the job has taken about one hour per week except when there is a meeting of the area committee; then there is an agenda to send out with reports from the area officers (all done electronically), an evening meeting to attend four times per year and minutes to write and circulate. As Karen was working full-time, she didn't wish to expand the job but it would be possible to expand the role - see the website www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer and look for a job description of area secretary.

Please contact Pat Crabb, area chairman (and acting secretary at present) via email or 01793 740450 if you would like to find out more and perhaps attend an area committee meeting to see what happens.

If you are looking for new outdoor clothing, footwear or walking equipment take a few minutes to check out this useful price comparison website. You can obtain special offers via this website.

Please could members report to the Campaign for Preservation of Rural England (CPRE) any road-side advertising boards. placards etc which have been erected without planning permission.

Members should notify the local branch of the CPRE at Lansdowne House, Long Street, Devizes SN10 1NJ. wiltscpre@btconnect Please indicate position, approximate size, summary of wording, proximity to road-side and your name.