Where can I go?

Please tell us what you think about our website, we welcome your feedback.

Customer notice

Due to essential maintenance some of our web services will be unavailable between these times 7pm Friday 25 May and 5pm Sunday 27 May 2012.

Public rights of way

There are nearly 4000 miles (6000 kilometres) of rights of way in Wiltshire. These can be seen using our online mapping or other maps such as Ordnance Survey (OS), which are sold in bookshops, OS Explorer Maps are particularly good for getting about as they show lots of detail that is useful for navigating, including field boundaries. OS have produced basic guides to map reading for both adults and children.

Access land

You can walk freely on some areas of mountain, moor, heath, downland and registered common land without having to stick to paths. You can find further information about access land on the Natural England website

Salisbury Plain training area

A certain amount of public access is allowed on Salisbury Plain. For further details see the Ministry of Defence website

Permissive paths

There are many permissive paths around the county. Some of these have been negotiated through various schemes run by Natural England. You can see these routes on this map of country walks on the Natural England website.

Cycle (and walking) routes

The website of cycling charity Sustrans has mapping which shows recommended routes which are generally on a mixture of rights of way, quieter roads and cycle routes. Cycle training for children is available in Wiltshire.

Canals

The Kennet and Avon Canal provides some lovely walking and cycling opportunities along its route.

Wiltshire also has stretches of the disused Wilts and Berks Canal that can be walked, for example just south of Wootton Bassett. Work is currently in progress to restore this canal.

Town parks, country parks, and other open spaces

Many towns have parks you can go to. Wiltshire Council manages a number of country parks and open spaces which can be viewed on the map of country parks and open spaces in Wiltshire.

Nature reserves

There are many local nature reserves around the county, many of which are run by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Their website includes details of all of these reserves.

Woodland

Many rights of way pass through woodlands, but there are a number of private woods which you can visit too. The Woodland Trust and Forestry Commission have useful websites.

National trails

Two long distance National Trails pass through Wiltshire, The Ridgeway and Thames Path. These can be walked from end to end or can be used as part of shorter circular walks.

Other long distance routes

Ordnance Survey maps show many other long distance routes through Wiltshire. These can be walked from end to end or used as part of a shorter circular walk. Some routes are wholly within Wiltshire while others pass through many counties. See the Visit Wiltshire website for further information.

Guided walks and cycle rides

Walking for Heath aims to encourage people to become more active while also meeting new people. They support a large number of regular short walks with trained walk leaders.

The Ramblers, the national walking charity, have a group walks finder, which includes both short and longer walks with a walk leader.

The Breeze Network is British Cycling’s new national network of fun, friendly bike rides for women, led by women. Breeze aims to encourage more women of all ages to enjoy cycling, even if they have not cycled for a while. Bike hire is sometimes available.

Salisbury Plain Area Mountain Bikers organise regular off-road cycle rides.

Self-guided walks

A number of books are available which have guided walks, these can be bought from bookshops or borrowed from libraries. Wiltshire Council has also produced the 'Salisbury Bus Walks Map'. This contains a number of walks in the countryside which can be accessed by bus from Salisbury. The map is free and it is available from Salisbury Tourist Information Centre, Salisbury Library, Salisbury bus station and Amesbury Community and Visitor Centre.The internet also has many useful websites with suggested walks. Some of these are below:

• Walking in Wiltshire
• Visit Wiltshire
• Walk for Life
• Walks with buggies
• Walks with wheelchairs

Other useful links

• Bradford-on-Avon; "Walkers are Welcome" town
• Disabled Ramblers
• British Horse Society
• Wiltshire Bridleways Association
• CTC (formerly Cyclists' Tourist Club)
• Trail Riders Fellowship
• Green Lanes Association
• Land Access Recreation Association
• Tread Lightly

Last updated: 24 April 2012