Wiltshire Cycleway - Section 1 -Bradford on Avon to Dilton Marsh

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Bradford on Avon, England, GB

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Route Overview

Neil Wheadon

Touring routes throughout the UK

11 mi.

739 ft.

This is the 1st section of the Wilshire Cycleway, which has been written to provide great detail on this circular route. The other 15 sections are on RidewithGPS, but for an overview please visit bikexplore.co.uk/Articles-of-Interest/Wiltshire-Cycleway

You start by the Kennet and Avon on the edge of the town to climb briefly towards Westwood. Westwood is a pretty village and contains Westwood Manor which is managed by the National Trust and opens in the summer. Onto a narrow lane which descends steeply towards an A Road, but take the descent slowly as just after the lane descends a World War 2 bunker can be visited on the left. With a narrow entrance it gave views across the valley. Take care at the bottom of the hill as the next section is a little busier heading along the A366. However you will pass a castle of the right. Well I say castle, it is in fact afortified residence from the 14th century and it is possible to cycle through it, but you need to pay an admission to view the chapel. You are into open countryside now with a rolling lane that takes you to the outskirts of Rode, however take a moment to have a look at the pretty village of Tellisford and its church. Reaching Rode, there is a good pub at the Mill before you enter the village. The Wiltshire Cycleway passes through but it is worth heading left opposite the pub to explore the centre and visit the shop Leaving Rode you'll head left towards the crossing of the A361. Please take care here, it's a busy road, but there are good lines of sight. The Cycleway now follows lanes as it winds its way past small farms, many of which are grazing for horses. At Rudge there is an excellent pub before more flat lanes take you to Brokerswood. As you turn left don't miss the green galvanised church which still holds services. The final section takes you to Dilton Marsh where this section finishes at the mini roundabout to the east of the village. There is even a railway station should you wish to use the train for your journey home.

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Route Details

This is the first stage of the Wiltshire Cycleway. Divided into 16 sections it takes you arond the pretty county of Wiltshire
The section starts in Bradford on Avon heading south along the western edge of the county. There is a central car park or you can arrive by train.

You start by the @point[Kennet and Avon Canal](d,32.19) on the edge of the town to climb briefly towards Westwood. Westwood is a pretty village and contains @photo[Westwood Manor](12077647) which is managed by the National Trust and opens in the summer.

Onto a narrow lane which descends steeply towards an A Road, but take the descent slowly as just after the lane descends a @poi[World War 2 bunker](55637031) can be visited on the left. With a narrow entrance it gave views across the valley. Take care at the bottom of the hill as the next section is a @slice[little busier heading along the A366](d,3803.69,4229.58).  However you will pass a castle of the right. Well, I say castle, it is in fact a @photo[fortified residence from the 14th century](12078385) and it is possible to cycle through it, but you need to pay an admission to view the chapel.

You are into open countryside now with a rolling @slice[lane that takes you to the outskirts of Rode](d,4267.61,7521.36), however take a moment to hav a look at the pretty village of Tellisford and its @photo[church](12077656). Reaching Rode, there is a good @photo[pub at the Mill](12077658) before you enter the village. The Wiltshire Cycleway passes through but it is worth heading left opposite the pub to explore the @photo[centre](12077661) and visit the @poi[shop](55637035).

Leaving Rode you'll head left towards the @point[crossing of the A361](d,9687.49).  Please take care here, it's a busy road, but there are good lines of sight. The Cycleway now follows lanes as it winds its way past small farms, many of which are grazing for horses. At Rudge there is an @poi[excellent pub](55637038) before more flat lanes take you to Brokerswood. As you turn left don't miss the @photo[green galvanised church ](12077664) which still holds services.
  The final section takes you to Dilton Marsh where this section finishes at the mini roundabout to the east of the village. There is even a railway station should you wish to use the train for your journey home.

As you cycle the route there are multiple places to stop and look, making this a lovely day out
* Bradford on Avon - There are several things to look at, in this pretty town. The [Tithe Barn](http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bradford-on-avon-tithe-barn/) is a fine example of a 14th Century Monastic barn. Managed by English Heritage, it's free to enter. Close to the barn across the River Avon is [Barton Bridge](http://www.bradfordonavonmuseum.co.uk/bridges) from the same period. For places to eat there are multiple places.
* Westwood - Next door to the impressive @photo[church](12077648) is @photo[Westwood Manor](12077647).  Managed by the [National Trust](http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/westwood-manor) it was built over 3 centuries and has late gothic and Jacobean windows as well as a modern toiary garden. Please note it is closed in the winter
* Farleigh Hungerford- As you start to climb the A366, a @photo[castle](12078385) appears on your right. More of a defensive house started in the 14th century, the chapel and lead coffins are a highlight. It is possible to cycle through the main gate and have a look, but it would be polite to pay and have a proper look. As you cycle away from the castle at the top of the hill to the left sits the @photo[Farleigh Hungerford Pumping Tower](12077653)It's pretty smal but interesting to look at as you pass before descending to Rode

* Rode - A large village that has both a [pub](http://www.thecrosskeysrode.co.uk/) shop and a very pretty @photo[village green](12077661)

* Rudge and Brokerswood - Rudge has an excellent [pub](http://www.fullmooninn.co.uk/) after which you'll pass @photo[All Saints Church](12077664) which is easily spotted as it's constructed from green painted tin which is grade 2 listed

* Dilton Marsh - There is a railway station here but the ride goes past the eastern edge, so if you want to look at the village you need to go right where it's about half a kilometre away (1/3 mile)

# More resources

If you would like more information. The very helpful tourist information in Bradford on Avon may be able to help <http://www.bradfordonavon.co.uk/shops/tourist-information-centre/>

# Important Reminders

Just be very careful on 2 sections of the route 
@slice[The A366 through Farleigh Hungerford](d,3812.09,4229.58) is a busy road
@point[Crossing the A361](d,9662.85) please take your time on this waiting for clear traffic either way.

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This section starts at Arnside Pier. It sounds grand but it's smaller than expected being a 20 metre stone structure that juts into the estuary. From the pier the ride sweeps the bay heading briefly inland before extensive views to the left of Morecambe Bay and the fells. Swinging north and inland, you pass through pretty agricultural land, which is very flat with only 2 small climbs. The lanes are narrowish and full of cyclists.
It gets a little busier around Levens Hall where you join the A6, however most traffic is on the A590 and there is a stretch of pavement to use. Through Levens and some cycling infrastructure kicks in. There is a cyclepath and bridge built for cyclists that parallels the A590 and a route under the A590 that is controlled by a traffic light specifically for cyclists. After this you have one more climb before arriving on the outskirts of Grange. The Cumbrian Cycleway and the newer Sustrans routes (70 and 700) enter Grange along the road. However it is highly recommended to enter via the promenade but you need to walk your bike for a section

Changes to Cumbria Cycleway
There is one change to the original route where a farm track has been replaced by a cyclepath next to the A590, at 13.7 km. Rather than the cyclepath and bridge along the edge of the A590, the cycleway went right after the garages to take the first left along a farm track to pass the farm on the right to bear left under the escarpment. It’s now been replaced by a sustrans route

SUSTRANS
Routes 70 and 700 use part of this now
(less)

Lake District, England, GB

SUSTRANS
Routes 70 and 700 use part of this now
(less)

Neil Wheadon

Touring routes throughout the UK

Neil Wheadon

Touring routes throughout the UK

Wiltshire Cycleway - Section 1 -Bradford on Avon to Dilton Marsh

Route Overview

Route Details

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Cumbria Cycleway - Section 1 - Arnside to Grange

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