Day three of our guided Kings & Kingdoms Foot Trail brought villages, cottages, a stunning castle ruin and a delicious picnic! To keep everyone safe in the heat, David modified our planned route, shortening the walk to 3.75 shaded miles toward Wardour Castle.
We began our adventures in a beautiful little village in south Wiltshire. As we made our way slowly towards the village church we passed countless English country cottages with roses growing around the doorways. In beautiful hues of pink and red, the roses gave off an attractive scent. We bumped into a local man who shared that he was headed to the opera later that afternoon and would need to dress in black tie in the heat!
At the church we explored the graveyard, much of which is a wild flower meadow, full of clover, oxeye daisies and summer flowers. Inside the church, the temperature was cool, and we read the plaques together of people whose life journeys had ended at the church.
As in the previous days, we stopped regularly to take on water and rest in the shade. Thankfully David’s amended route had plenty of shade and some beautiful stretches of woodland. Here ferns grew, their bright green leaves and tendrils lining our path. And the tall trees stretched up towards the light above. The woodlands really were a refuge for us on our hot summer walk.
We followed the ancient paths towards the castle. Soon the magnificent New Wardour stately home was in view across the fields. And then, not long afterward, the first glimpse of Old Wardour castle.
We met Foot Trails’ team members Emma and Alastair at the castle, who greeted us with our picnic lunch. And we ate cheese, ham, chutney, salad and tomatoes and crackers beneath the shade of a tree and in sight of the castle, followed by fresh strawberries and shortbread.
Then David gave our guests a tour of the castle and shared its many stories and histories. Built in the 14th century, Wardour Castle is England’s only hexagonal castle and it is possible to explore many of the rooms.
We hopped back on the vans to return us to our country inn for the night. A wonderful day.
Alison
To find out more about our hiking trails in this idyllic corner of England, visit our trip page or send us an email. We’d love to hear from you.
