North-East Wiltshire

The North-East Wiltshire group covers the towns of Swindon and Marlborough and a large area of beautiful and varied countryside surrounding them.

Our area extends to the River Thames in the north, Wootton Bassett and Avebury in the west, Tidworth and Ludgershall in the south and the county boundary with Berkshire and Oxfordshire in the east. It includes the Marlborough Downs (part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), the Cotswold Water Park, Savernake Forest, part of the Kennet and Avon Canal and the world heritage site at Avebury.

As well as walking in every part of our area we occasionally travel further afield. Our walks typically range from 3 to 15 miles, and from easy to strenuous. We walk every Sunday (sometimes offering a choice of two walks) and on many Saturdays as well. We also have a few walks on weekday evenings, mainly in the summer, usually finishing with an optional pub meal.

Most walks have a Swindon meeting point so that we can car share to the start of the walk and give members without cars a lift. This enables us to take as few cars as possible. Some walks use public transport.

We extend a warm welcome to all new walkers, visitors and guests. Why not try us for a few weeks without any commitment. If you like what you see, then you are more than welcome to join us. The Ramblers annual membership fee amounts to just over 50p per week. As well as helping to protect the natural beauty of the British countryside, you will also be part of a nationwide walking club.

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.

Our group meets at either Euclid Street or in Marlborough Road / Lambourne Avenue. Both locations are in Swindon. The meeting point can be found in the details of each walk.

It is our policy not to allow dogs, except assistance dogs, on any of our led walks. There are two reasons for this, which we hope dog owners will understand.

Many of our walks cross grazing land where there is or may be livestock. Although deaths and injuries to walkers caused by cattle are rare, most of the recorded incidents involve the presence of a dog.

Most dogs are well trained and cause no problems when walking with a group, but unfortunately this is not true of all dogs. Dogs which run around amongst the group, jump up at people or react noisily when meeting other dogs can cause annoyance to other walkers and detract from their enjoyment of the walk.

If you are interested in local history two of our upcoming walks may appeal to you. On Saturday 8 August we have a Maud Heath themed walk. Maud Heath was a 15th century market trader who provided funds to build a causeway from Wick Hill, near Bremhill, to Chippenham. There are three memorials to Maud which you will be able to see on the walk.

Moving forward to the 20th century, on Sunday 22 August we have the latest in our series of walks based on World War II airfields. Come along to find out about the history of Blakehill Farm, near Cricklade, which is now being turned into a nature reserve.

For more details of both walks go to our Walking Programme.