Wiltshire walking route and map NoW16

Click on thumbnail to view full size picture of Malmesbury Market Cross

MALMESBURY TO COW BRIDGE

Waypoint	Map Reference	Bearing to next waypoint
START	ST 9329 8745	89
WP1	ST 9363 8748	193
WP2	ST 9358 8716	106
WP3	ST 9439 8698	130
WP4	ST 9490 8661	280
WP5	ST 9451 8665	223
WP6	ST 9428 8637	207
WP7	ST 9414 8603	233
WP8	ST 9358 8556	349
WP9	ST 9340 8622	214
WP10	ST 9335 8614	291
WP11	ST 9291 8627	357
WP12	ST 9288 8654	337
WP13	ST 9280 8670	54
WP14	ST 9310 8695	1
WP15	ST 9309 8720	91
WP16	ST 9326 8721	39
WP17	ST 9334 8733	342
START	ST 9329 8745	-

General:- Malmesbury claims to be England's oldest borough and if buildings could talk these would have have a tale to tell. None more so than the abbey. Even today, in its ruined state, it dominates the town in all aspects; there is grandeur and power in those walls. Its worth a look around the town too, some building ooze history.

From the west, Malmesbury appears to be on a hill but this is an illusion and the walk is flat through fields and flood plain. Much of it is along river bank, ideal for a sunny day. Its a truly pastoral scene, so different from the wooded Cotswold valley's of West Wiltshire or the sweeping downs of its eastern side. (GPS length 4.23 miles)

How to get there:- Park in the long stay car park, the short stay only allows you 2 hours parking. At roundabout ST 9361 8670 where the A429 and B4042 join take the B4014 into the town centre. The one way system takes you past the Market Cross. Then go sharp right @ ST 9307 8770 and fork right again @ ST 9307 8770. The road drops downhill and crosses the river. At the next roundabout ST 9314 8785 turn right towards the ambulance station and park in the long stay car park beyond.