East and West Ilsley (8km) Print

EWIw01 East and West Ilsley Waypoint 1
East and West Ilsley is a 8km (5 mile) waymarked recreational route that joins the Ridgeway National Trail in Berkshire. The villages are renowned for race horse training. There are five stables here that are involved with this and the route follows alongside gallops for some of the way. The route has been described from the car-parking area at Bury Down, although it can be started in either East or West Ilsley. Start east along The Ridgeway. After a 500m the circular route begins. Follow the Ridgeway to Gore Hill (a shorter route is waymarked to the right of the track just before Gore Hill. The A34 road crosses The Ridgeway at Gore Hill but road improvements during 1986/87 placed The Rideway National Trail path under the new section of dual carriageway, removing the need to cross this very busy road. Once through the tunnel, the village of East Ilsley lies to the right in a fold of the downs. Carry on along The Ridgeway.

EWIw02 East and West Ilsley Waypoint 2
After 1.5 km turn right at the second of the two bridleway signposts. This bridleway runs alongside some training gallops, and leads into East Ilsley. At the end of the way, turn right into the village.

EWIw03 East and West Ilsley Waypoint 3
Go through the village and straight on at the road junction and continue past The Swan and The Crown and Horns. Pass under the A34 road-bridge. The next waymark is on the other side of the junction (the track is signposted with a Byway sign). Follow the Byway as it crosses some large fields with hedges.

EWIw04 East and West Ilsley Waypoint 4
The shorter route merges with the main route along this path. At the next junction turn right onto a bridleway (BW) and bear right at the next path junction. This BW passes the West Ilsley stables. After passing the stables, continue down the hill and turn left onto the metalled drive that doubles as a BW. Where the road forks at the end take the right fork. At the road junction, the next waymark is directly in front (signed cart track ) and if the amenities of West Ilsley are required (shop, pub,public telephone etc), turn left.

EWIw05 East and West Ilsley Waypoint 5
The Track climbs up Hodcott Down. More training gallops are on the right of the path. At the top of the hill, The Ridgeway comes into sight. Turn left along The Ridgeway, back to Bury Down car park and the end of the route.