Ancient Monuments, Gratis
The first half of A Wiltshire Way comes to an end in Salisbury. A city that makes the remote plodding and below average pub scene worth the effort.
Today, it's an easy walk and with the twin highlights of Stonehenge and Old Sarum - real highlights. Both are paid for tourist attractions but both can be experienced gratis.
Stonehenge especially so - approach from the Avenue and you find yourself on the other side of a low fence, where the patrons have paid £30. I'm up there with Martin Lewis for money saving techniques.
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| Come over here and save yourself £120 |
Geocaching trail and fine walking through Wilsford Cum Lake (make your own jokes) and refreshment found in the unlikely place of Great Bustard. From a distance, I thought it meant Boris Johnson. A posh eponymous gastro-pub, where people feel it acceptable to hold job interviews in public. I groaned at some of the answers and saw through her bull at some of her answers. The interviewer was a goon too.... often answering his own questions. By the time I had finished my Hop Back Summer Lightning, he had given himself the job.
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| A literal barn of a pub - the sign is more interesting |
Every step getting me closer and closer to my goal - through fields of blue wildflowers until eventually, Old Sarum comes into view. An impressive hill fort, abandoned town with a castle and cathedral. The forerunner to Salisbury.
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| The track to Old Sarum |
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| The ramparts - Google aerial views for the dramatic views of the Cathedral footings |
And there lies Salisbury - endless history, a delightful Cathedral court and 6 Good Beer Guide ticks to attack.
It's taken me four days to get here. I fully intend to kick the arse out of it.
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| A spire to inspire Russian tourists with exact measurements |
Walk Details
Distance - 13.5 miles
Geocaches - 56
Previous Stages on "A Wiltshire Way" - Day 1 - Swindon to Marlborough, Day 2 - Marlborough to Pewsey, Day 3 - Pewsey to Amesbury
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