The Ramblers’ walk on Sunday 4^th November – Clyffe Pypard to Bincknoll and return

 

The walk: starts out from, and returns to, The Goddard’s Arm pub at Clyffe Pypard. The route is approximately 6+ miles and initially follows the foot of the lower escarpment of the Marlborough Downs from Clyffe Pypard to Bincknoll (pronounced “Bynoll”), where it ascends the hill to Bincknoll Castle.  For part of the route back we follow the top of the escarpment before descending to the path we took on leaving Clyffe Pypard.  The route takes 2.5 to 3 hours.
 

The conditions:  When we did the walk on Monday the going was generally wet, (morning dew on long grass and recent rain) and there are some muddy areas to go through - so waterproof footwear is highly recommended.  The terrain varies from fairly flat tracks, to lumpy fields, and to undulating paths that cross the lower slopes of the escarpment.  About half-way through the walk there is a steep (300 yards) inclined ramp that takes us to the top of the escarpment to Bincknoll Castle, but the views from the top are worth the climb. There is also a fairly steep path down from the top of the escarpment which we found to be quite slippery.

 

 Meet, and park,  at 10.20 a.m. in the car park of the Goddard’s Arm, Clyffe Pypard ready for a prompt 10.30 a.m. departure so we get back to the pub for lunch in good time.

 

How to get to Clyffe Pypard:

Probably the simplest is:  Take the B 4069 through Sutton Benger, Christian Malford, and Dauntsey Lock to Lyneham. At the roundabout on the outskirts of Lyneham turn left onto the A 3102 to Wootton Bassett.  Follow the A 3102 for about a mile and then turn right into a minor road marked “Tockenham” and “Bushton”.  Follow this road (which is very narrow and twisting in places so please take care) and it will take you to Clyffe Pypard – and the Goddard’s Arms is signposted along a lane to the left.  The distance from Hullavington is 19 miles and takes about 30 minutes.

 

Lunch will be taken in the Goddard’s Arms. The landlord will meet us in the car park at about 10.20 a.m. and take our orders for lunch – which will then be prepared in time for our return. The menu is reasonably varied and priced and there is, amongst others, an excellent beer under the evocatively sounding title: “Ruckin’ Moles”! 

 

Finally, a couple of points.  The car park at the Goddard’s Arms is quite small so perhaps car-sharing would be considerate. There is a notice in the pub requesting that muddy boot be removed before entering – so alternative footwear would be useful.

 

We hope you can join us on this walk.  Please contact me on my mobile (07974 633 072) on the day if you have difficulties or are running late.

 

Kind regards,

 

Bob and Sue Fenner

 

For more info contact Bob on 837320