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Click on thumbnail to view full size picture of Derry Hill CLICK HERE FOR WALKING MAPCALNE to DERRY HILL
The route enters the grounds of the Bowood Estate at waypoint 5. You can see the house in the distance and walk along a lake that formed part of the landscaped gardens. This section is exceptionally well signposted and its a credit to the Bowood Estate management team; they have put a lot of work into maintaining the paths too. Combine this with a well drained cycle track and you get good walking conditions in all weathers and little chance of serious mud. You can shorten the walk by taking a path on the left where the road comes in from the right just before the church in Derry Hill. However you will miss a charming village with a strong community spirit, the grand entrance gates to Bowood with an enchanting woodland section, and bypass the pub; its your decision! The Bowood Estate sometimes close the section between waypoints 1 & 2 for shooting parties. This is usually on one day per week Nov-Jan when the path is quiet. Its worth checking the Sustrans wewbsite at www.sustrans.org.uk if you intend to use it during this period. If you find the path closed you can descend to the A4 at Black Dog Halt and turn left up the road to regain the route at waypoint 4. At waypoint 5 the Lansdown Arms pub makes a good halfway stop and there are pubs in Calne too. How to get there:- Park in Station Rd. Drive along the A4 into Calne. From Chippenham you turn right into Station Rd just after The Strand Hotel. From the east you enter the town via a mini double roundabout and turn left into Station Rd.
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