This is a very easy to follow walk along well established paths and routes....

Christopher Smy

Very pleasant walk, however due to overgrown fields , and the path appearing not to be frequently walked the going at time was slightly strenuous.Several fields approaching Melksham have been planted with maize and with the footpath not being reinstated could be a problem as the season progresses....

Pete

As review on Chiroy one, and reasons for generating this route, it largely follows Chiroy one, but removes the sections which are impossible to access....

Brian

( a ) and ( c ) involved diverting route onto quiet lanes, whilst ( b ) involved much to-in and fro-in trying to find the path in a wilderness, then opting on an alternative route entirely This alternative shows where the actual route on the ground is, rather than the OS map line...

Brian

En route there are 3 galv hunting gates, 1 galv kissing gate, 2 field gates, 4 timber stiles, and 2 sets of steps ( 9 & 7 )....

Brian

The only variation to the route I did, was in Biddestone, adjacent to the White Horse pub, rather than turning left up track [ ST 864444 73519 ], I continued along main road, turning left at Biddestone Manor ( it is exactly the same distance ) and cuts out, fields, cows, and 6 stiles.........to me a no brainer!...

Brian

The whole area around Lawn Farm is confusing, and badly needs proper waymarking ( fp's are not as the definitive map ) I found the road from Rodbourne to S Benger busy, but as the road is relatively straight its not unsafe....

Brian

I will upload my slightly different route, the difference being a set of steps down to the pub in Ford, and cutting out Biddestone centre...

Brian

This route shows the difficulty in getting around the farm just north of Biddestone...

Brian

Once you're off the main roads in Chippenham it's mostly footpaths and open fields the whole way....

Dan

There is a short section on a quiet country lane, but otherwise the route is car free....

Chrischipp

I consider this the best route between Melksham and Chippenham, but the Melksham area is blighted by crops ( partic maize ) in Autumn each year which can make the walk challenging...

Brian

The route has two pubs ( both serve food ) and 1 good shop, together with bus stops, bench, and public phone box The section which lets the route down, is the 1 mile section on pavement alongside the A4, which is very busy with all traffic travelling at 60 mph...

Brian

I concur completely with the two previous reviews, it is a benign walk which could be completed by pushchairs and rugged mobility scooters as the path surface is either tarmac or compacted gravel with grit topping....

Brian

I would add that walkers need to cross the busy A4 at the pedestrian traffic lights near Currys, to use the pedestrian tunnel, as you should not walk under the adjacent tunnel at the road, as there is no pavement...

Brian

I agree with the previous reviewer that the walk actually into Chippenham is not the most scenic, but it's easy and direct and you end up in a sensible place in town....

panifex

I've walked this route many times and is a favourite with local walkers, even meriting a mention in a recent Country Walking magazine....

Michelle Chapman

Note that this is not a farm any more, but a brand new big house (see photo; the bridleway is out of shot to the left where the fingerpost is.) If it's wet, the first section of this bridleway gets very boggy, so best avoid it by continuing along the road (Sutton Lane) to Sutton Benger....

Stephenwalking

That stile and right fork is the route you need to take, to get to Sutton Lane Meadows and then to the eastern end of Sutton Benger to regain the road to Malmesbury....

Stephenwalking

The only area of concern is around Queenfield, where the path may disappear in the summer under crops, when the path is not reinstated...

Brian

Whilst the route is generally quiet, and attractive, there are fields between Lacock and Melksham which may have crops ( often maize ) without the footpath being reinstated...

Brian

I found it impossible to get onto Chimal One by the right turn onto the footpath at Lipgate Farm because the gate was tied shut. However, there was an easy workaround by continuing to walk along Day's Lane, and turning right onto the Byway after about 200 yards, then left onto the Chimal One footpath. (This left turn was not marked by a visible fingerpost or way marker). It took me left to Day's Lane then stopped, leaving me to walk along Day's Lane and onto the grass verge alongside the A350. Then around the M4 roundabout to the relative safety of the grass verge alongside the A429 and the right turn to Clanville. The left turn onto the footpath was not marked, but relatively easy to spot, before the white house (see photo). For those who reach Corston and want to save a bit of time, note that there is a safe and usable pavement / footpath / pavement all the way from Corston to Malmesbury alongside the A429....

Stephenwalking

The vast majority is off-road, on a National Cycle Route that uses a disused railway line....

Stephenwalking

Lovely direct route across Corsham Park and along a farm track. Entry to Chippenham is largely along main road - the most direct route but not necessarily the nicest....

Chrischipp