Walking the GREAT STONES WAY
Southwards from The Sanctuary (SU119680) to Wansdyke

All photographs on this page copyright Janet Hierons.

Starting from the A4 at the top of the hill by The Sanctuary, the path (a Byway) goes downhill between hedges on either side.  It is fairly rutted in places, and after a bit the path slopes to one side, making it awkward to walk along, especially in wet weather.   At the bottom of the hill you go through a wood and over a bridge before walking into East Kennett.    

Figure 1: Bridge East Kennett (P1020435e)                                Figure 2:Into East Kennett (P1020438e)

Continuing left through the pretty village of East Kennett on the tar road, the route (still The Ridgeway here) turns off to the right shortly after the village.  A little way along, the path goes left onto a rough track heading up hill.  From here all the way up to the Wansdyke the surface is chalk and stones (recently resurfaced) and it is an excellent walking surface.   Looking back towards East Kennett as you go up, the views are spectacular and on a good day Silbury Hill can clearly be seen in the distance.

Figure 3: East Kennett (P1020443e)                            Figure 4: looking back towards E.Kennett (P1020442e)

Figure 5: Distant Silbury (P1020449e)                          Figure 6: Looking west over Cow Down (P1020459e)

Continuing uphill, the open vistas disappear as the path enters a wood and winds its way through the wood, still gradually uphill.

Figure 7: view north (P1020464e)                                           Figure 8: through the wood (P1020518e)

The path shortly reaches  the very top of the hill at the Wansdyke and a different vista is revealed to the south.

Figure 9: south to distant Walkers Hill (P1020516e)                      Figure 10:The Wansdyke (P1020526e)

Going on a little detour around The Wansdyke area, there is plenty of scenery to explore.

Figure 11: livestock by The Wansdyke (PP1020529e)                Figure 12: sheep beneath Walkers Hill (P1020542e)

 Figure 13: looking south to Knap Hill (P1020537e)                       Figure 14: looking south, west of Milk Hill (P1020533e)

Futher south in the valley, a good spot for refreshment is The Barge at Honeystreet, alongside the Kennet and Avon canal.

Figure 15: The Barge (P1020480e)                                           Figure 16:   Kennet & Avon canal (P1020482e)