• Wonders of Wessex Walk

• 1 April - 31 October

• 5 nights: From £530 per person based on 2 sharing
• 6 nights: From £615
• 7 nights: From £710
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

• 7 nights, 6 days independent walking between guest houses. 5 night and 6 night versions of this walking holiday also available

• Visiting a number of exceptional historic sites such as Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, Wilton House and Wardour Castle
• Beautiful English landscape of chalk downland and valleys in the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• A unique and engaging walk which follows quiet paths to link the highlights of this part of southern Wessex
• Historic and picturesque settlements such as Shaftesbury with quaint thatched cottages
• Reasonably gentle walking following ancient routes along valleys and ridge tops on the Wiltshire / Dorset border

• "(We enjoyed) the Wessex countryside and walking to Stonehenge, Old Sarum and through the burial mounds. Some of our favourite B&B's. Thanks for a memorable holiday." J & M. Krieger, USA

• 7 nights B&B in a variety of small quality guest houses with ensuite accommodation. Mixture of inns or pubs, bed & breakfasts and small hotels. They are located in delightful historic properties. Lunches are picnic meals, often provided by your guest house. Evening meals are taken in your guest house or in local pubs and restaurants where you'll have a choice of local cuisine.

1. 7 night's accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
2. 4 lunches
3. Transport of luggage between guest houses
4. Detailed walking maps and notes including information about the place through which you'll be walking

1. Transport to Salisbury and from Shaftesbury
2. 2 lunches, all evening meals and drinks
3. Entrance fees
4. Travel insurance

1. Take a look at our other walking holidays in southern England
2. Take a look at all our independent walking holidays

Walking Profile

A moderate walking holiday with each day's walk averaging 17km or 10 miles with moderate ascents of about 120m at a time, with maximum daily ascent being 400m. The walk follows many different types of paths, tracks and small country lanes. Occasionaly the walking trail is steep when ascending or descending the chalk escarpments, but in general the walking is gentle in nature.

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome in guest house in cathedral city of Salisbury in Wiltshire. You may wish to arrive early in order to have more time explore this lovely city and visit the cathedral with the tallest spire in the UK. Extra nights at Salisbury are possible at the start of your independent walking holiday.

Day 2: Salisbury - Amesbury

Today's walk starts by visiting the earthworks and remains of Old Sarum. Located on a hill just outside of Salisbury, Old Sarum is the site of the ancient city, before a new city was built on its present day site in the 13th century. Afterwards you'll follow the delightful and secluded Woodford Valley with its small quaint villages and manor houses and the clear waters of the river Avon flowing through it. You can stop off at one of the numerous inns on route for refreshment before making your way to the town of Amesbury and your lovely guest house. 20km, +250m

5 night version of walking holiday goes direct to Broad Chalk, whilst 6 night version goes direct to Great Wishford

Day 3: Amesbury - Great Wishford via Stonehenge

Today you'll have the chance to visit a collection of prehistoric sites which are unrivalled in the UK. Visit the world famous stonehenge with its enigmatic stones, as well as other sites such as Woodhenge close by and a plethora of other mounds and earthworks. After walking across open downland you'll pass through the pretty village of Stapleford with its thatch cottages to reach the Wylye Valley. 17-21km, +300m

Day 4: Great Wishford - Broad Chalke via Wilton

Your walking route starts by following a short section of the Monarch's Way (a long distance trail which follows the route taken by Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.) This path climbs onto a chalk down covered in ancient forest at Grovely wood; a great place to see carpets of bluebells in the Spring lighting up the forest floor. Your walking trail follows the edge of the chalk downs with great views of Salisbury Cathedral before descending to the pretty town of Wilton, the ancient capital of Wessex. Chance to visit the impressive Wilton House and its gardens, before crossing over the hills to reach the beautiful Ebble Valley in the Cranborne Chase - an ancient royal hunting estate. 17-22km, +300m. Shorter option available

Day 5: Broad Chalke - Ludwell

The first half of today's walk follows the ancient ridge top track (known as a drove) that linked Salisbury and Shaftesbury. Beautiful views from the chalk escarpment and numerous earthworks accompany your delightful trail. Afterwards you'll descend the downs to reach the haunting ruins of old Wardour Castle, used in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Theives. You'll then follow the Wessex Ridgeway trail through typical English Parkland and the secluded Nadder Valley to reach your accommodation at Ludwell. 16km, +300m

Day 6: Ludwell - Farnham

Your walking trail climbs steadily onto the hills to reach Win Green, the highest point in the area with stunning panoramic views which on clear days reach as far as the Isle of Wight and Glastonbury Tor. You'll follow a beautiful ridge top along an old Ox Drove before a gradual descent takes you to the pretty village of Tollard Royal hemmed in its valley bottom. Afterwards you have the opportunity to visit Larmer Tree Gardens, before the short walk to your next guest house. 13-14km, +210m

Day 7: Farnham - Shaftesbury

Your last day's walking takes you back up onto the hills via the pretty village of Ashmore. Lovely historic cottages surround a large pond set on the chalk plateau. Your walking route will then take you to Melbury Beacon, a great local viewing point before heading to the historic hill top town of Shaftesbury in Dorset. You'll enter the town by the famous Gold Hill with its steep cobbled street lined with thatched cottages. You'll be supplied with a walking route around the town to take all of the best views from the escarpment surrounding Shaftesbury. 18km, +380m

Day 8: Departure

Departure after breakfast