We are the South Wiltshire Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Catherine P
4 miles, with some surprises along the way. This route does have some road walking in it.
We leave the cathedral through the Harnham Gate and follow the cathedral wall along to the Avon. A path through Churchill Gardens gives a view of the Sluice House and Eel Trap building that spans one of the many channels of the Avon as it flows through a large wetland wildlife reserve. We walk up past St Martin’s Church (here long before the current cathedral) and down over the railway line, crossing the Bourne at Milford Mill Bridge and then following the boardwalk through the Whitebridge Spinney. We cross into Cow Lane to find the River Bourne Community Farm with its trampolining goats. People may choose to leave the walk here as the farm is open till 1 and the café till 3, however the rest of us will continue north alongside the water meadows and under a pair of railway bridges. A short section of road walking and a useful pedestrian underpass lead us to the north-eastern end of the medieval city streets, and a chance to see the original north porch of the cathedral, now in a city park. We cross back through the grid of streets to arrive at the main square, where there is another opportunity to leave the walk or to come with us back to the cathedral.
The third of series of three walks, all starting (appropriately) from the Walking Madonna, and each following a different river, to fit with the cathedral’s “Spirit of Water” flower festival which is on at the same time.
All of these walks show how it is possible to walk to some lovely countryside quickly and easily from the centre of the city. There are no stiles on any of the walks.
Walking Madonna statue in Salisbury Cathedral Close
