The Coombes Hinton Parva trail
This long walk follows parts of the Ridgeway National Trail and takes in the undulating scenery of the downland landscape. Look out for ancient field systems in the steep-sided valley and all kinds of wildlife. You should be able to see red kites, buzzards, skylarks and other farmland birds, as well as chalk grassland flowers in summer.
Near to
The Coombes, Hinton ParvaStart point
Hinton Parva village hall car park. Grid reference: SU 22860 83179Trail information
*Sloping downland, public footpaths and bridleways across farmland. For further details, please see section marked Terrain.
**Uneven and sometimes muddy terrain. Gates on route. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs welcome on leads. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.
The Coombes
At The Coombes you’ll see evidence of strip lynchets – earth terraces found on the sides of steep slopes, thought to be ancient field systems. It’s likely they were dug so the slopes could be ploughed (though some believe the lynchets may have been created naturally). Today the slopes of The Coombes provide the perfect habitat for grassland wild flowers such as orchids. Every year volunteers help clear sections of scrub so wild flowers can flourish here.
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Hinton Parva village hall car park. Grid reference: SU 22860 83179
Stage 1
From the car park proceed through the pedestrian gate into The Coombes (the entrance gate can get muddy at times). Take a look at the interpretation panel on the right to familiarize yourself with this site cared for by the National Trust. Keep left and follow the bridleway up the hill. To your right you can see a traditionally managed hay meadow (well worth a detour if you're visiting in May when it's full of cowslips).
Stage 2
Continue straight on, through the gate ahead. Horses might be exercising on the gallops to your left so please keep dogs on leads. The path carries on between two hedges then, when you reach a gate, walk down the path between the two fences to the road.
Stage 3
Cross the road slightly diagonally to the right (take extra care on this blind bend) and pass through a gate signposted 'To Ridgeway' then carry on up the hill. You should be able to spot a large telephone mast on your right and pass a big barn on your left.
Stage 4
Cross straight over The Ridgeway at this point and enjoy the panoramic views over the surrounding area. Carry straight on and a little further on Charlbury Hill and its neighbouring tree-covered barrow come into view on your left. Continue on this path, to the top of the hill, passing a round covered brick reservoir on your right and then carry on down the hill. Halfway down, the M4 motorway will come into view and then you pass a large barrow on your left.
Stage 5
At the bottom of the hill you'll see a tarmac road and bridge in front of you. Bear right along the fence line, in front of a large green oil tank and pass through a gate up onto the road. Turn left and walk down the road away from the motorway bridge.
Stage 6
When you reach a public bridleway sign on your left, turn left, past an American style mailbox. Continue along this track until you see a gate on the left about 20 yards before reaching a cattle grid. Go through the gate and up a small muddy incline, and rejoin the main track. There are sheep in this field so please ensure all dogs are on leads.
Stage 7
Continue along this track through the bottom of the valley until you reach a group of barns and outbuildings. Do not follow the track around the barns but continue straight on, over the grass, keeping the barns to your left and go through the gate ahead of you. It can get very muddy here in the winter. Follow the field edge, keeping the fence and then the hedge on your left, until you go past a number of burial mounds on your left. Carry straight on at the next junction, ignoring the track to the left which heads off up the hill towards a copse of trees.
Stage 8
When you reach the junction with The Ridgeway at the bottom of the hill turn left onto it. From here you can view an interesting little Coombe just ahead of you.
Stage 9
Continue up The Ridgeway until you pass Charlbury Hill on the right, just past the hill turn right onto a tarmac road signposted 'Public Road'. This road takes you past the entrance gate to Charlbury Hill if you would like to make a detour up to the trig point at the top.
Stage 10
When you reach the end of the road turn right then immediately cross the road to take the road signposted 'Hinton Parva' and continue down the hill.
Stage 11
When you reach the end of this road, turn left, signposted Wanborough and Swindon and continue towards the village. A short detour to the right will take you to the ancient picturesque St. Swithun's Church which dates back to 1172. Re-join the road and continue to Hinton Parva village hall with its distinctive red phone box. Turn left into the car park to complete the walk.
End point
Hinton Parva village hall car park. Grid reference: SU 22860 83179
Trail map
The Coombes Hinton Parva trail map, Wiltshire | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Bodyhorse Hill, Hinton Parva, Wiltshire, SN4 0DH
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