SU1575 : The Ridgeway on a lane passing Upper Herdswick Farm

Barbury Down

270m Elevation
39m Prominence
England Country
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Good walks are even better shared.

SU1575 : The Ridgeway on a lane passing Upper Herdswick Farm

Rob Purvis Photo source

Explore routes near Barbury Down

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Donkey Walk

7.9 km ~1h 34m Easy

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Chiseldon to Barbury Shooting School Circular Walk

13.6 km ~2h 43m Easy

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Shotover Country Park Circular

6.1 km ~1h 30m Easy

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Ashton Court Circular with Quarry

13.8 km ~3h 30m Moderate

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Barbury Castle Loop

A gentle loop starting at the car park leading through lovely countryside trails, circling around the ancient hill fort of Barbury Castle before reaching the summit.

3.2 km ~1.5 hours Easy
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

200-299m hill

Elevation

270m

887 ft

Prominence

39m

Coordinates

51.4821, -1.7764

SU156759

OS Map

173

Explorer: 157 169

At the Summit

The summit boasts a prominent trig point, which is the cherry on top of this lovely hill, offering a great spot for selfies.

Terrain & Geology

Grassy with some chalky paths mostly flat with gentle inclines.

Predominantly chalk downland, Barbury Down features a typical geology of soft white chalk, with flint nodules, creating a unique ecosystem that supports a diverse array of flora and fauna.

Views & Scenery

On clear days, you can see as far as the distant spires of Oxford and beyond to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Barbury' is derived from the Old English 'Birch hill', referring to the birch trees that once adorned its slopes.

Historical Significance

The area is rich in archaeological significance and is home to Barbury Castle, a scheduled ancient monument that dates back to the Iron Age.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Barbury Castle car park, located off the A4361. This is the ideal spot to start your adventure, unless you fancy doing a bit of unauthorised off-roading.

Public Transport

Regular bus services run from Swindon to the nearby village of Ogbourne St. George, followed by a scenic 30-minute walk.

Nearby Facilities

There are limited facilities on-site, but the nearby village has small cafes, and public toilets can be found in Swindon.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Farming machinery in fields nearby; be cautious when walking close to active farming areas.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Barbury Down?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Barbury Down through the maps

Are there other walkers around Barbury Down?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Barbury Down search or of course create your own walk for Barbury Down

Can I organise a walk to Barbury Down?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Barbury Down.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Barbury Down?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Barbury Down here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: SU156759

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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