Urchfont and the Vale of Pewsey

In Urchfont a fine 14th century church overlooks a pond surrounded by groups of thatched half timbered cottages and elegant brick built Georgian houses. The path leads beside a small stream through woods in a nature reserve carpeted with wild flowers, then over the fields to return along a green way past the Manor House.

In and around Urchfont village are deep sunken lanes overhung with flowers and ferns in spring and early summer. The route leads past thatched cottages with their old fashioned gardens reaching and growing into the hedges. The village church is mainly 14th century with a 15th century tower and porch. It has some rare 14th century stained glass, fine stone vaulting and a 13th century font.

In the village there is a tree that commemorates the silver jubilee of King George V. It was planted in 1936 by a villager, Mary Alexander, who was born on 3rd January 1835, making her 101 years old on the day of the tree planting ceremony.

Early in the year Peppercombe Wood Nature Reserve is full of snowdrops with carpets of anemones too. Celandines and bluebells bloom in May. Oakfrith Wood, which is also visited during the walk in the Vale of Pewsey is also full of these beautiful flowers at the appropriate time of the year.

The vale is not used by any major roads, but is followed by a railway which can be seen at the northern extreme of this short and pleasant walk. The line is part of the Berks and Hants Railway network and the section you can see during the walk is part of the extension line to Devizes which was opened in 1862.

Urchfont Manor dates from the time of William and Mary. It was once owned by the statesman William Pitt the Elder.