The slopes of the Wansdyke, old quarry and surrounding grassland are an orchid<\/a>-hunter\u2019s paradise. Up to 11 species can be found here including early purple, marsh helleborine and common fragrant-orchid.<\/div>\n
Just as thrilling are the abundance of butterflies<\/a> such as the Adonis and chalkhill blue, and moths<\/a> like the mother shipton.<\/div>\n
With the imposing Lansdowne Monument a constant companion on the horizon, this is an ideal walk to lift your head up and take in everything the stunning Wiltshire landscape has to offer.<\/div>\n
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Discover more walks in Wiltshire\u00a0<\/h4>\n
Hike along winding towpaths and wooded valleys in one of England\u2019s most beautiful counties.<\/p>\n
- Best walks in Wiltshire<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div>
![\""Dawn\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/10\/Dawn-in-Savernake-Forest-fd214f4-e1665578472584.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Savernake\\"")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section><\/div>\nMorgan\u2019s Hill walk<\/h2>\n
6.5 miles\/10.5km | 252m accent | 4 hours | moderate<\/em><\/div>\n1. Start<\/h4>\n
From the Smallgrain Picnic Area car park, walk up the grass slope towards the byway, turn right and walk uphill for 500 meters until you reach the reserve entrance.<\/div>\n2. North Wilts Golf Club<\/h4>\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 had left Britain.<\/div>\nLook out for butterflies<\/a> such as the Adonis and chalkhill blue, as well as early purple orchids and round-headed rampion.<\/div>\n\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Morgan\u2019s Hill\/Credit: Derek Harper<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n 3. Morgan\u2019s Hill reserve<\/h4>\n
Head through the gate to stay in the reserve. Depending on the time of year you may see either dexter cattle<\/a> or herdwick sheep<\/a> in the meadow, grazing to help improve the quality of the grassland.<\/div>\nStick to the reserve boundary, keeping an eye out for the marsh fritillary \u2013 one of the UK\u2019s most endangered species of butterfly. Follow the path and head left down the slope, you will leave the reserve via a gate at it\u2019s north eastern corner.<\/div>\n4. Roman Road<\/h4>\n
Turn right as you join the old Roman Road. This stretch of the route allows you to enjoy the spectacular scenery, dotted with birds of prey<\/a> such as kestrel<\/a>, buzzard and red kite. Follow the road for roughly 2km until you reach a gate on your left marked White Horse Trail<\/a>.\u00a0There is a long tree line opposite.<\/div>\n\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Cherhill White Horse\/Credit: Michael Dibb<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n 5. Calstone Down<\/h4>\n
Go through the gate and follow the path that takes you up to the Lansdowne Monument.<\/div>\nAs you climb Calstone Down, keep an eye out for red kite below. It\u2019s a rare chance to see them from above and truly appreciate their russet glory.<\/div>\nWhen you reach the monument, built in 1845 by the 3rd Marquis of Lansdowne, carry on down the path a further 100m. As you turn, you\u2019ll be able to see the Cherhill White Horse.<\/div>\n\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Calstone Down\/Credit: Rebecca A Wills, Geograph<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n 6. Return leg<\/h4>\n
Retrace your steps and head back to Morgan\u2019s Hill.<\/div>\n7.\u00a0Car park<\/h4>\n
Rather than enter the reserve where you left it, carry on for a further two gates. Back in the meadow, there\u2019s chance to see the mother shipton moth and bursts of cowslips, primroses and violets.<\/div>\nFollow this path back to where you entered the reserve and make your way back to the car park.<\/div>\n\nMorgan\u2019s Hill map<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Morgan\u2019s Hill walking route and map<\/a><\/div>\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><\/a><\/div>\nUseful information<\/h3>\n
Terrain<\/h4>\n
This route sticks to tracks and marked paths, there is an uphill stretch to reach the Lansdowne Monument.<\/div>\nStarting point<\/h4>\n
Close to the North Wilts Golf Club, The Smallgrain Picnic Area (Grid Reference: SU 020 671), situated on the Bishops Cannings to Quemerford road, is your starting point.<\/div>\nEat\/drink<\/h4>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Calstone-Down-dabef7b-e1676385711835.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C409"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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