Walks from the Pub

Turn L out of pub then L across river Og to Ogbourne St Andrew village, road bears R and passes church (with Neolithic barrow in churchyard) on L. Follow road with houses on R and reach A346. Cross road (carefully) and follow track straight ahead for short distance to reach old railway line and turn L. In 1 km pass picnic table and then cross over Ridgeway LDP* and continue on old railway line until it reaches minor tarmac road. Turn R onto road and climb 1 km to high point just before Bytham Farm on L. Byway now passes through 250 m of trees, at end fork R onto bridleway and descend for 600 m to byway crossing. Turn R onto byway and climb to high point on ridge before a steep descent (can be muddy and slippery when wet) to reach the old railway line again. Turn R onto old railway for 350 m. When track becomes metalled by cottages on L, turn L down short track to A346. Cross road carefully to return to Silks for a well-deserved drink.

* You can turn R here and ascend the Ridgeway path, turning right onto the road when the Ridgeway reaches it. This saves nearly 1 km of walking but is a steeper climb on a sometimes muddier track.

Turn R out of pub, in 50 m cross main road to take path at end of cottages up to disused railway line and turn R. In half an hour or so you will pass under a double bridge (road bridge and pedestrian bridge) with a sign to Wiltshire Cycle Path on R. Stay on old railway line for another 200 m where a footpath crosses. Take the footpath L which drops down steps in the side of the embankment. Follow this footpath, initially with a stream on your R, to the end of the field on your L where a footpath comes in from your left. Go through gate and continue between houses to the end of Church Lane. Go through lychgate and pass the church on your left. If you have time, take a few minutes to look inside the church — it is one of the few which still contains its Georgian fixtures and fittings. Go round church and through gate into field. Cross two fields, aiming for hut in corner of sports field. Go through gate by hut and turn L along the side of sports field and through gate onto road. Cross road and fork left up Thicketts Road, pass the fine old chapel on R (now a private residence). In 500 m when road levels, take bridleway on L. Follow this along edge of wood. After about 1 km the fence on your left will end and you walk along the edge of a field, shortly after you will see a gate on R. Go through this and across field to another gate. Go through and follow path L until it joins a byway. Turn right and walk downhill to join another byway and turn L to walk uphill for 600 m to join a minor road with cluster of agricultural buildings to your left. There is a gate opposite into the field, cross the field, bearing slightly left, to a gate. Turn R on track and a few metres later go L through the gap in the strip of woods and cross the next field to come out on a track. Take the by-way opposite which rises to the high point of the walk (221 m — there is a disused trig point hidden in undergrowth a few metres down the path on R) and then drops steeply down, with great views over Ogbourne, to meet the old railway line. Cross over it to reach the main road. Cross the road very carefully (pay particular attention to traffic coming from the left) and head down the minor road opposite (Wet Pits Lane). The river Og flows on its newly restored route through the water meadow on the right, depending on the season. Follow the road as it turns left and pass the church (with Neolithic barrow in churchyard) on your R. Follow road as it turns L again to cross the Og just before you reach the main road again. Turn R and return to Silks for a well-deserved drink.