Sue Gearing follows an old railway path and crosses an English country estate on this North Wiltshire walk

T his wonderful wander in Wiltshire starts in Calne and explores part of the glorious Bowood estate before returning via an old railway path and briefly meeting a partially restored canal.

It's a variation on a walk I did here years ago and it's even better than before. What's so special? There's pleasant pastoral views, typical English parkland, views of stately Bowood and the chance to really stride out along the old railway line.

The going is easy to follow – mainly flat, well signed, dry and largely very good underfoot, so you can look around and enjoy it all as you go.

An extra bonus is a good pub, just over half way round, and plenty of great spots for picnics.

For the dog it's ideal, as there are very few stiles, but be warned there are sheep in the Bowood estate.

If you choose the right time there are some great bluebells en route, too.

It's about 7.5 miles/about 3.5 hours walking. Use the map OS Explorer 156, Chippenham and Bradford-on-Avon, grid ref: 997 708. Park near the centre of Calne. Pass the large town hall and Marden House on your right and at a roundabout where the A4 and Melksham road go off, turn right into Station Road. There is good parking along the side here near the start.

START

Continue along Station Road to the Fire Station. Go left up the fenced Tarmac footpath opposite. At the top, turn right and follow this lane, Wenhill Lane, out of Calne, soon leaving houses behind and stepping into attractive Wiltshire countryside.

1. FOOTPATH

Just before farm cottages, follow the footpath arrow left along the right edge of a field. Maintain the same direction and leave the cottages behind, now walking along the left edge of a field. In the corner, cross a footbridge and stile.

At a footpath marker, go left a few yards, over a stile and turn up right. Follow the path round and a stile leads on to a farm drive with a bungalow ahead.

2. DRIVE

Turn left down the drive lined with young trees. At a junction turn sharp right down another beautiful drive on the Bowood estate, passing woods, bluebells and getting the feel of classic English parkland at its best.

It's not long before you get your first view on the right of Bowood House, the home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Landsdowne, famed for its beautiful gardens.

After about 20 minutes, drop down and reach the end of the lake and a stone bridge.

3. BRIDGE

Just before the bridge, go right through a metal gate and follow the water on your left. Cross left over a bridge and follow the arrow right, walking with the water on your right now. There should be plenty of water birds to see along here. After a few minutes look across the water and see the old ice house up on the hill.

Bear off left as you approach a side inlet. There are some good views of Bowood at this point.

4. INLET

Go through a kissing gate and across near the end of the inlet, through another gate and join a stony track, continuing on, climbing. Join another track and turn left.

Shortly, follow the arrow up right, crossing a drive and going ahead through a gate into the open fields of the estate. Turn right along the fence for a few yards and then turn left across the open following the arrow.

5. COPSE

Aim just to the left of a copse of trees ahead and go through a gate. Continue on following the fence. Ahead on the left you can see the large mansion complex which houses the golf and country club.

A gate brings you on to the drive leading to the club. Turn right. There may be some traffic at weekends along here, and golf buggies. The golf course stretches away on the left.

6. WOODS

At a bend and mirror follow the footpath ahead into woodland, passing a beautiful stretch of bluebells in season. Go left under power lines, dropping down. There is a short boggy section. Cross a planked bridge and go left down a track still in woodland.

Cross a small stream in the foot and then rise up the other side. Continue on under fir trees and continue to follow the footpath signs.

Go along a grassy swathe on the flat following the golf course fence on your left. After several minutes turn right through a grassy opening in the woods and go out through the entrance gates to the edge of Derry Hill.

7. DERRY HILL

Turn right on Old Road passing cottages and it leads to the busy A4 main road.

8. INN

Cross. Just to your right is the welcoming Soho Inn, open daily. But to continue our round, turn left on the main road after crossing (don't pass the inn) and just past the pine showroom, go right over a marked stile.

Head straight across the field and through an opening on the far side. Continue ahead but bear left, clipping the corner of a garden wall and then follow the fence along. Cross left over a marked stile and turn right.

9. JUNCTION

Soon reach a junction at Studley and go straight ahead on the lane towards Hazeland and Bremhill, dropping downhill.

Eventually reach a bridge over the old railway line, now a cycle/walkway. Cross and turn down right on to the track.

10. RAIL TRACK

The line between Calne and Chippenham opened in 1863 (November 3 – an unofficial holiday in Calne) because the nearby Wilts and Berks Canal could not cope with the increase in industrial traffic. Calne station became the home station for the Harris bacon company.

It continued to serve industry and passengers for more than 100 years until its closure in 1965.

Nothing remains of the old Calne station. The route is now part of the National Cycle network. There's no need to worry about directions now. Follow the track on (don't go under the bridge you have just crossed) and you will be on it for about 40 minutes to Calne.

It passes through the countryside, sometimes through garlic woodland, or open areas – sometimes up on an embankment and sometimes on the flat.

Pass Black Dog Halt on the way – a special station built for Lord Lansdowne – and cross a bridge over the A4.

Eventually reach the River Marden on your left and follow the old track to ornamental gates which lead to the Castlefields park area in Calne. Go through and reach part of the old canal.

11. CANAL

Cross and turn right along the edge. When you reach a junction with a fenced tree surrounded by a ring of fancy tiles, turn right, crossing branches of the canal and river and reach Station Road and the start.

The Soho Inn, New Road, Studley, Calne, SN11 9LX. 01249 812408. Please call to confirm opening times before setting out.