Swindon Ramblers have been enjoying and helping to preserve the Wiltshire countryside for more than 60 years and this week they are sharing one of their favourite walks with us – a walk within the landscaped areas of West Swindon through Peatmoor, Shaw and River Ray Parkway.

Distance: 3½ miles

OS Maps: Explorer 169 Landranger 173

Start: Car: There are many opportunities for starting this walk but the description which follows starts from the car park by the lagoon just off Peatmoor Way (SU115863).

Bus: Route 19 from town centre stops nearby (see map)

Directions:

1 Leave the car park and follow the edge of the lagoon towards the inlet stream at its western end. Continue on to the tarmac, ignoring the track off to the right. Cross the road at the pelican crossing and follow the track immediately ahead which runs through a small wooded area adjacent to the road.

2 At the junction of the paths, turn left and take the path past the school. Cross the road at the pelican crossing and continue on this path until reaching Old Shaw Lane (note Shaw Farm on the right).

3 Turn left and walk up the lane. Keep to the line of the original Shaw Lane by bearing right, then following Shaw Road, then leaving it again by turning right after crossing Ridge Green. This is now a cycle track which crosses Eastleaze bus link road and is followed to a subway under Whitehill Way.

4 Go through Whitehill Way subway and continue past a children’s playground. Reach Mead Way subway with a stream below. Go through the subway and continue forward with the stream and woodland on the left, industrial buildings on the right. The path becomes National Cycle Network 45 (Western Flyer).

5 Where paths cross, turn left on to the route of the disused Moredon Railway line which runs between two hedges. (The Moredon Railway formed part of the Midland & South West Junction Railway that was opened in 1884 and closed in 1961.) Follow this track until just before the brick bridge, noting Shaw Forest Park on the left.

6 Turn left between a circular building (pumping station) and the Gloucester railway line (active) and follow this path towards Lydiard Brook.

7 At the junction, turn left, noting an entrance to Shaw Forest Park on the left. Follow the tarmac path across the brook and continue with the brook on the left, and some houses on the right. This will lead through a subway to face a Chinese style building.

8 Immediately turn left and follow the path round to the right, keeping to the edge of Peatmoor Lagoon (built as a flood lagoon, wildlife habitat and recreation area in 1986) until reaching the car park from which the walk started.

Refreshments: None directly on the route.

Map reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Licence No. 100033886

Pictures and walk courtesy of Swindon and N East Ramblers

SWINDON Ramblers have a walk to suit everyone.

Walks include many local tourist attractions, some include the history and heritage of the county, some to spot wildlife, and some for the beauty of the Wiltshire scenery.

The Swindon group was founded in 1950. The leaders are trained in First Aid, and have first class knowledge of the area.

Swindon and the North East Wiltshire Ramblers have a committee that meets once a quarter. The annual subscription to join the Swindon Ramblers is £35.85 for a single and £47.85 per couple.

The money goes to the Ramblers central office for funding. There are three free walks before you are encouraged to join. Everyone is welcome to simply join in one of the walks or visit the website on www. wiltsswindonramblers.org.uk