Great Bedwyn and Wilton Windmill Walk

From the station car park, return to the T-junction with Brook Street, cross over and turn left along the pavement. Follow the pavement over the two brick arch bridges & over the railway and then the canal. Almost immediately turn right into the wharf car park and go straight ahead to follow the towpath with the canal on your right. Continue along the canal towpath past four locks. At the fifth lock, Lock 60, you will see Crofton Pumping Station on the opposite bank with its very tall brick chimney stack. Crofton Pumping Station was built in 1807 to provide water to the canal summit. It is a grade I listed building housing two Cornish beam engines, one of which is the oldest working beam engine in the world still in its original engine house and capable of doing the job for which it was installed. During the summer the station is open for public access and the engines are steamed on some weekends. Check the website for prices and opening times. To visit the station, cross over the canal via the lock gates and pass under the railway underpass. When you are finished return to the canal towpath.

To continue the walk, retrace your steps back along the towpath for a few paces and then take the footpath off the canal signed for Wilton Windmill. Cross over the small sluice gate and then continue ahead on the mud footpath with Wilton Water on your right. Follow this grass path as it bends alongside the water. At the end of the field, follow the path as it bends to the right onto a small track to reach the village pond ahead. Turn left up the village road with thatched cottages either side. Pass The Swan public house on the right and follow the main road as it bends to the left. Follow the road edge with care (there are no pavements here) going uphill. Go straight on at the cross roads and after a few paces Wilton Windmill will come into view on the right. Shortly afterwards take the right turning away from the main road signposted to The Windmill and Shalbourne. Continue ahead and the entrance track to the windmill is on the right immediately after some tennis courts. Wilton Windmill was originally constructed in 1821 and is the only working windmill remaining in Wessex. It was in operation for 100 years before falling into disrepair. Restored in 1976, it is now used to mill flour once again and as a tourist attraction. The site is open at all times but the mill itself and shop are open limited hours on Sundays during the summer months so check before you set out if you want a guided tour.

When you have finished visiting the mill, return to the road and turn right to continue your route. After about 500 yards, opposite a road signed to Hungerford, turn left up a mud track. Take the next turn into a smaller track on the right (after about 300 yards) along the edge of the woodland. Follow the path between trees and you'll reach a T-junction with a three way signpost, turn right towards Great Bedwyn. After a few more paces you'll come to a T-junction with a stone track, turn left into Bedwyn Brail. Note that dogs should be on leads from this point to protect the game birds. Follow the stone track through the woodland and small grass clearings which give great views in both directions. Eventually the stone track turns into a grass path as you come into a large clearing '€“ keep ahead and then take the left hand path at the fork to follow the footpath into Ivy's Copse. Follow the path snaking through the woods until it emerges into an arable crop field. Go ahead, keeping the field boundary on the left. Eventually, as you start to head downhill Great Bedwyn will come into view ahead. When you are just 100 yards from the canal, bear right down a footpath across the field towards the church and a stone bridge. Pass through the gate and go ahead over the canal bridge to reach a rail crossing. (NOTE: This rail crossing was closed for repair in Summer 2018. If it is still closed when you visit, simply use the canal towpath to head back to Great Bedwyn instead). Cross the railway via the white gates, taking care to listen carefully for trains. Go ahead across the field and pass by St Mary's Church on your right. Pass through the squeeze gap (which is only about one foot high so most people and dogs will be fine) and go ahead through the church yard. Exit via the wooden gate and turn right into Church Street. Follow the pavement and you will pass the impressive post office on the left which houses several commemoration stones and monuments, examples of the work of Lloyds Stonemasons Yard which is next door and was established in 1790. At the end of Church Street, with The Cross Keys public house on the corner, turn right to return to the station.