{"id":24878,"date":"2023-04-06T12:57:02","date_gmt":"2023-04-06T10:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=24878"},"modified":"2023-04-06T12:57:00","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T10:57:00","slug":"wiltshire-morgans-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2023\/04\/06\/wiltshire-morgans-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"Wiltshire Morgan’s Hill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
SOUTH WEST <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

02.<\/span> Wiltshire Morgan’s Hill<\/h2>\n\n

Distance: 6.5 miles\/10.5km | Time: 4 hours | Grade: Moderate | Total ascent: 252m<\/p>\n\n

Walked by Duncan Haskell <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Built in 1845, the Lansdowne Monument stands 38m tall <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Morgan\u2019s Hill Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest that bursts into life in spring. <\/p>\n\n

The slopes of the Wansdyke, old quarry and surrounding grassland are an orchid-hunter\u2019s paradise. Up to 11 species can be found here, including common fragrant-orchid and marsh helleborine. Just as thrilling is the abundance of butterflies, such as the Adonis, and moths including the Mother Shipton. With the imposing Lansdowne Monument a constant companion on the horizon, spring is the ideal time to enjoy this Wiltshire landscape. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
1. START <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

From the Smallgrain Picnic Area car park, walk up the grass slope towards the byway, turn right and walk uphill for 500 metres to the reserve entrance. <\/p>\n\n

2. 0.2 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Follow the path that traces the southern edge of the nature reserve, bordering the North Wilts Golf Club. This path forms part of the Wansdyke, a defensive earthwork built shortly after the Romans left Britain. Look out for butterflies, such as the chalkhill blue, as well as early purple orchids and round-headed rampion. <\/p>\n\n

3. 0.6 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Head through the gate to stay in the reserve. Depending on the time of year, you may see either Dexter cattle or Herdwick sheep in the meadow, grazing to help improve the quality of the grassland. Stick to the reserve boundary, keeping an eye out for the marsh fritillary \u2013 one of the UK\u2019s most endangered butterflies. <\/p>\n\n

Follow the path and head left down the slope to leave the reserve via a gate at its north-eastern corner. <\/p>\n\n

4. 0.9 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Turn right as you join the old Roman Road. Enjoy the spectacular scenery, looking out for buzzards and kestrels. Follow the road for roughly 2km until you reach a gate on your left marked \u2018White Horse Trail\u2019. There is a long tree line opposite. <\/p>\n\n

5. 2 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Go through the gate and follow the path that takes you up to the Lansdowne Monument. As you climb Calstone Down, keep an eye out for red kites below, a rare chance to see them from above. When you reach the monument, built in 1845 by the 3rd Marquis of Lansdowne, carry on down the path for a further 100m. As you turn, you\u2019ll be able to see the Cherhill White Horse. <\/p>\n\n

6. 3.3 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Retrace your steps back to Morgan\u2019s Hill. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

7. 5.7 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Rather than enter the reserve where you left it, carry on for a further two gates. Back in the meadow, look for carpets of cowslips, primroses and violets. Follow this path back to where you entered the reserve and return to the car park. <\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

USEFUL INFO <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Starting point <\/strong>
Close to the North Wilts Golf Club, start at the Smallgrain Picnic Area, on the Bishops Cannings to Quemerford road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terrain <\/strong>
This route sticks to marked paths. There is an uphill stretch to reach Lansdowne Monument. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Map <\/strong>
OS Explorer 157 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat\/drink <\/strong>
The Dumb Post Inn gastropub is a 13-minute drive away. thedumbpost.co.uk<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay <\/strong>
Blackland Lakes has pitches for caravans, tents and motorhomes. blacklandlakes.co.uk<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

Photo: Alamy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SOUTH WEST 02. Wiltshire Morgan’s Hill Distance: 6.5 miles\/10.5km | Time: 4 hours | Grade: Moderate | Total ascent: 252m Walked by Duncan Haskell Morgan\u2019s Hill Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest that bursts into life in spring. The slopes of the Wansdyke, old quarry and surrounding grassland are an orchid-hunter\u2019s paradise. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":25240,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"83","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"83","purple_seq_number":"2","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"2","purple_source_article":"article_83-2.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_83-2.xml","purple_source_issue":"May-2023","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"May-2023","purple_external_id":"May-2023-83-2","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"May-2023-83-2","purple_issue_code":"|0000084068||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000084068||","purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.202","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.202","purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.202","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.202","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"91da22fd-9e7f-40d1-a93f-fc46e9516d91","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2023-04-06T10:57:09Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"48211db0-62a8-4edf-a86d-5c6fca97f66b","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2023-04-06T10:57:09Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/ASCEdsGKoTt-obVxvypf2aw","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[135],"tags":[14],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/A4AGXK_preview.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"3","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/A4AGXK_preview.jpg",1575,2362,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/A4AGXK_preview-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/A4AGXK_preview-200x300.jpg",200,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/A4AGXK_preview-768x1152.jpg",768,1152,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/A4AGXK_preview-683x1024.jpg",683,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/A4AGXK_preview-1024x1536.jpg",1024,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/04\/A4AGXK_preview-1366x2048.jpg",1366,2048,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"SOUTH WEST 02. Wiltshire Morgan’s Hill Distance: 6.5 miles\/10.5km | Time: 4 hours | Grade: Moderate | Total ascent: 252m Walked by Duncan Haskell Morgan\u2019s Hill Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest that bursts into life in spring. The slopes of the Wansdyke, old quarry and surrounding grassland are an orchid-hunter\u2019s paradise.…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24878"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24878"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24878\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26398,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24878\/revisions\/26398"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24878"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}