Contact details for public transport information are given in Appendix B.
For anyone wishing to drive, there is parking (either car park or on street) available at the start and end of each stage. Always remember to park considerately, and be aware that theft from parked cars does occur, so do not leave anything valuable in your car.
When to walk
The route can be undertaken at any time of the year, although walking between early spring and the end of autumn offers the chance of more settled weather and better walking conditions. (During the summer nettles can cause problems, so long trousers are advisable.)
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from campsites to B&Bs, pubs with rooms and hotels, and places where accommodation may be available are given in the box at the start of each stage description. Some of these places are located along the route, while others involve short detours (less than 3km) off route.
A brief list of some accommodation close to the route is given in Appendix D, and up-to-date details are available from local tourist information offices (see Appendix B).
Food and drink
Places where refreshments and food may be available (pubs, cafés and shops) are mentioned in the box at the start of each stage description (some of these are located along the route, while others involve short detours (less than 3km) off route). A table in Appendix C also gives an overview of where refreshments are available along the route. However, there is no guarantee that any particular establishment will be open when required, and walkers should carry enough food and water for the day with them.
Waymarking, access and rights of way
(L) Great Stones Way route marker and (R) Ridgeway National Trail signpost (followed on Stage 2)
The Great Stones Way follows normal rights of way with standard waymarking. However, it is important to note that at the time of publication the route has not been officially accepted and is not signed using the Great Stones Way logo. The descriptions in this guide, along with the map extracts and the signage on the ground, mean that route finding should not cause any major problems; however, it is recommended that walkers also carry the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer map.
Rights of way are indicated on signage as follows:
Footpaths Yellow arrow – walkers only
Bridleways Blue arrow – walkers, cyclists and horse riders
Restricted byways Purple arrow – walkers, cyclists, horse riders and carriage drivers
Byways Red arrow – same as for a restricted byways plus motorcycles and motorised vehicles.
Using this guide
Church of St James, North Newnton (Stage 3, White Horse Trail route)
In this guidebook an information box at the start of each stage gives the stage start and finish location accompanied by grid references, stage distance, map details, places close to the route that offer refreshments (pubs, cafés and shops), public transport links and accommodation.
A short introduction gives a brief overview of the stage, identifying any major points of interest, including towns and villages. Throughout the route text easily identifiable features that appear on the OS map are highlighted in bold to help with navigation, and there is information given about places of interest en route.
Distances and times
The Kennet and Avon Canal at Honeystreet (Stage 3)
The distances given in the text (metric, with approximate imperial conversions where appropriate) have been measured from OS Explorer maps. The walking time for each stage is based on a walking speed of 4km per hour (2½ miles per hour), plus 10 minutes for every 100m of ascent. This is the minimum amount of walking time required to undertake the stage and does not include any time for rests, photography, consulting the map or guidebook, visits or simply admiring the view – all of which can add substantially to the day’s activity.
GPX files for all the stages of this route are available to download free from the Cicerone website at www.cicerone.co.uk/911/GPX.
Maps
The OS maps covering the Great Stones Way are
Landranger (1:50,000): 173 and 184
Explorer (1:25,000): 169 (Stage 1 only), 157 and 130.
This guide contains extracts of the OS 1:50,000 Landranger series of maps with information added to show the main route and any alternative routes.
Taking care
A great spot to take a seat and admire the views across the River Avon valley before moving on to Old Sarum (Stage 6)
When out walking, please respect the countryside and follow the Countryside Code:
be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs
leave gates and property as you find them
protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
keep dogs under close control
consider other people.
The Great Stones Way passes a number of scheduled monuments that may be easily damaged without due care, so:
do not disturb, walk over, damage, use metal detectors on, or remove any objects from any scheduled monument sites
always follow marked routes.
Finally, always take great care when either walking along, or crossing, roads and railway tracks.
THE GREAT STONES WAY
The unmistakable sight of Stonehenge (Stage 5, Stonehenge loop)
STAGE 1
Coate Water to Barbury Castle
| Start | Coate Water Country Park (SU 177 827; parking), off the A4259, just north of junction 15 of the M4 |
| Finish | Barbury Castle Country Park car park (SU 157 760) |
| Distance | 11.3km (7 miles) |
| Ascent | 245m |
| Time | 3¼hrs |
| Maps | OS Explorer 169 and 157 |
| Refreshments | Pubs and shops at Swindon and Chiseldon; café at Coate Water |
| Public transport |
Swindon has a rail station with local bus links (daily) to Coate Water (east-bound stop; SU 176 830); National Express buses (403) between London and Bath stop at Coate Water (SU 180 828); bus
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