It rained through most of the night and it was still raining as I prepared my breakfast. I didn’t fancy packing up and riding in the rain so delayed my start until 07:40am. As I started to pack up I heard the farmer’s vehicle in the field across the road and soon he was herding cows into the field I was in. When the last cows were in and he was about to close the gate I emerged wheeling my bike. I was going to explain but as I walked by he didn’t acknowledge me or seemed concerned, more puzzled. The rain had stopped and I set off south towards Chippenham. The overcast weather seemed to accentuate the countryside smells. Farm smells and fresh mown grass filled the air and the occasional smell of wild garlic added to the experience. Through the town I headed for Lacock and its Abbey.

Lacock

The village was very picturesque with many people about starting their day. Approaching the Abbey there was a road closed sign, which I ignored. It wasn’t closed but for some unknown reason there was a policeman monitoring the occasional motorist. The main buildings hadn’t opened yet so I wandered across an adjacent field to take some photos before continuing.

Lacock

My next objective was the Kennet and Avon Canal. I reached it and found an excellent cycleway along the towpath. I was on the left of the canal as I rode but after a while came to a narrow bridge where I crossed over. A man was there whose job it was to carry out maintenance on the canal. We chatted for a while then I continued to the main flight of locks. They look very impressive on the approach and as I cycled up the cycleway could look across to the large reservoir areas at the side of each lock. I didn’t count them but I think there are more than 20.

On the Kennet and Avon Canal these 16 locks at Caen Hill form part of the Devizes flight of 29 locks.

At the top I continued until I reached one of the roads into the town centre of Devizes. I was riding along and noticed an interesting building and the smell of beer brewing. It was the Wadsworth Brewery and had an information centre. I stopped to look inside and saw an impressive display about the brewery but also a previous owner, Henry Wadworth was an early cyclist and in Apr 1869 became the first person to cycle from London to Bath. It was on a boneshaker, forerunner to the penny farthing.

The Northgate Brewery, with it's impressive Victorian facade, was designed and built by
Henry Wadworth in 1885.

In Devizes is an excellent visitor's centre in the Wadworth Brewery.

Henry Wadworth's penny farthing

Further on I came to a branch of Sainsbury where I bought 4 lt of their still table water which is labelled ‘definitely not tap water’ My next objective was Avebury but I had to ride along the busy and horrible A361. It was very busy and quite narrow. I was so glad to get to Avebury and ride in along a lane and footpath to avoid the main route the tourists take. There is a large visitor centre inside a cruck barn. It was quite expensive to get in so I just went for a walk around part of the huge circular ditch and standing stones, mostly inside. The existing village is mostly within the huge ring.

Henry Wadworth

Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument from around 2,600BC containing three stone circles,
around the village of Avebury in Wiltshire. It contains the largest stone circle in Europe.

I set off again and returned along the road for a while then turned left on to the A4 and the huge mound of Silbury Hill. There is a car park and information board but no access to the mound. It is the largest man-made prehistoric mound in Europe.

Silbury Hill.
A prehistoric artificial chalk mound
near Avebury, Wiltshire.

I left the main A4 at East Kennet and headed along minor lane to Milk Hill. Over the summit is where I’d planned to stop for the night but as I’d only done 40 miles I decided to continue. Riding through the vale of Pewsey I had a nice view on the hill of a White Horse, cut into the chalk hillside. I continued through the lanes to Market Lavington and on to the A360 to Tilshead where I turned off onto a minor lane. It is an area of army camps and a notice said the road ahead was closed to civilians. I had to continue along the A360 to Orcheston where I wheeled the bike down a pathway to find a level spot to pitch the tent. I arrived about 16:00 after riding just over 60 miles.

Milk Hill White Horse

Transcription of stone on Lavington road
AT THIS SPOT
Mr. DEAN, of Imber. was
Attacked and Robbed by
Four Highwaymen, in the
evening of Octr. 21st. 1839.

After a spirited pursuit of
three hours one of the Felons
BENJAMIN COLCLOUGH
fell dead on Chitterne Down.
THOMAS SAUNDERS,
GEORGE WATERS, &
RICHARD HARRIS,
were eventually Captured,
and were convicted at the
ensuing Quarter Sessions at
Devizes, and Transported for
the term of Fifteen Years.

This Monument is erected
by Public Subscription
as a warning to those who
presumptuously think to
escape the punishment God
has threatened against
Theives and Robbers.

Stone on Lavington road