hello! Just wondering what the riding is like in the Westbury/Bratton area of Wiltshire. Mother in law lives there and I'm thinking about taking my bike when we go visit. Can anyone give some pointers/advice on places to ride in the area?
Cheer
Simon
I believe these people also do rides...
Salisbury Plain is a military training area, don't go exploring.
There isn't a huge amount. There is the Imber Range Trail which you can pick up from Bratton/Westbury. It's metalled roads and chalk tracks. It's not too exciting but it's a ride. Over in Warminster there is Shearwater and the woods around the western side of town. It's not Swinley but you can cobble something together. If you fancy getting out when you're down and timings work out my email is in my profile.
Salisbury Plain is a military training area, don't go exploring.
From gov.uk
The numerous rights of way remain open during military training, even when tanks are manoeuvring
Red flags are flown or lamps lit at night around the danger areas, at which time public access is prohibited. When the flags are down or lamps unlit at night you may enter this Danger Area.
Do go exploring but use a map and stick to the rights of way 🙂
Yeah! an excuse to place my videos:
if you are going from Westbury, toward Longleat, here what to expect:
From Westbury toward Erlestock Wood (I suspect the bluebells are still out):
If you need some gpx files, just let me know, I will download some of my latest rides from Strava.
But please don't steal my KOMs.
As beaker mentioned there is the Imber Range path which affords nice scenery, atmospheric when raining and blowing a gale! You could do an out and back or you can now do a circular route on Larkhill thanks to new tracks being opened up to the public.
Firing times for May:
Firing times for June:
New tracks? Got any links? Sounds like a job for a tripster..
Not that I'd recommend Larkhill as a tourist destination..
Just avoid all the dull gravel on top of the plain that gets used for the Salisbury plain challenge ,it`s sleep inducing !
brassneck - follow the Imber Path past Casterley Camp, at this point you used to have to exit the Plain here. You can now use the range road that heads South through Wexland to Larkhill. It's not flat either!
Very useful when it's foggy or grotty weather as you'll stay off road the whole time.
Edit: perfect for a Tripster, keep meaning to take mine out there.
There are some downhill runs at Tidworth bit of a way from Westbury.Look up Tidworthfreeriders.Wilts is many open going watch the the wet chalk it can catch you out.especially on a motorbike I know have the cracked rib to prove it from Mayday.Hay Ho.
Thanks for all the replies!
Nicely, thanks CG. Would be heading in from Netheravon direction, that might open up a few options for loops over that way. Possible shortcut for the Solstice too, if I can get out of bed this year 😀
Used to ride with spam biking around there - places like shearwater valley, up to longleat. Lovely part of the world. We used to get reasonable access round some of the longleat estate on bikes as well - avoid the lion enclosure, or at least make sure you are not the slowest....
Thee is also Westbury wheelers, mainly road club but a few do do MTB and they have regular rides.