Summary (by AI): I enjoyed a perfect spring bike ride through the stunning landscapes of the North Wessex Downs, concluding with a satisfying meal and ale at a local pub.
Blog: It was the middle of April, and the forecast was predicting a mini-heatwave—25 degrees on a Wednesday. I think it was April 9th. I saw that and thought to myself, "Right, time for a bike ride."
I got in touch with my mate Andy, who semi-retired a little while ago down in Hampshire, and we agreed to meet up in Avebury—the home of those fantastic stone circles. We set off on a twenty-five-miler, running a great big loop around the North Wessex Downs.
The area is a vast, protected landscape that spans several counties, characterized by its dramatic chalk escarpments and ancient history. Key areas include the Marlborough Downs, where we were riding, famous for its prehistoric sites like Avebury and Silbury Hill. To the east lies the Vale of Pewsey, a beautiful low-lying area framed by steep hills, and the Berkshire Downs, which offer some of the most iconic "gallops" and sweeping views in Southern England. It’s a region defined by its "Big Skies" and ancient trackways like the Ridgeway.
It is an absolutely stunning place, made all the more beautiful by the fact that the timing was just perfect. We were just getting into the first proper days of spring; in fact, with the heat, it felt almost summery. We spent the day navigating lovely wide, sweeping vistas and fabulous gravel tracks. It was just a tremendous place for a ride.
We eventually finished up at the Waggon and Horses, a Wadsworth pub—Wadsworth being the local brewery in Devizes - an old coaching inn right on the A4. I tucked into a marvellous plate of ham and chips, which is my absolute go-to in a pub like that, rounded off with a lovely pint of Wadsworth ale. It was a fabulous end to a perfect ride.
The Map: