Get off the beaten track in the
Vale of Pewsey
Explore - Stay - Eat - Drink - Shop
What better place to visit and get away from it all than in the beautiful Vale of Pewsey? Located just north of Stonehenge, east of Bath, in the middle of the Great West Way© and in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this unspoiled landscape is waiting for you!
Explore with our fabulous range of walking and cycling routes, created by local experts and taking you to pretty villages, along the Kennet & Avon Canal and up high on the downland with breathtaking views - and each one includes the possibility of stopping off at a pub or cafe on the way.
Stay in accommodation that is unique - whether it's a shepherd's hut, waterside lodge, canal boat, country cottage, friendly B&B or camping or caravanning.
Eat - Drink at local village pubs, full of history, serving local ales and delicious food, with the warmth of an open fire creating a relaxing and homely ambience. Or stop off at one of our fabulous country cafes dotted all over the Vale.
Shop at local independent stores, like Woodborough Yard, with a friendly welcome and experts on hand to help you.
And don't forget to take advantage of some super offers in this newsletter and on our website - many of them run until the end of November, so don't miss out.
We have plenty more information on our website to help you plan your visit and explore this beautiful part of England - so have a look at www.visitpewseyvale.co.uk - and then come on over, we'd love to see you!
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Discover Woodborough Yard!
This charming collection of cafes and shops is located on the edge of the pretty village of Woodborough, just a few miles west of Pewsey. The location used to be the nursery of W T Ware, who from 1883 grew and distributed daffodils to London and throughout the country.
Combine your visit with a walk along the Kennet & Avon Canal or follow our circular walk from Woodborough Yard - after all, who can resist a walk that takes you to places called Honeystreet and Bottlesford? If you have the energy, then don't miss the views from Woodborough Hill - absolutely stunning, with a spectacular view of the Alton White Horse.
Whether you are shopping for the home, the garden, for gifts or activities, or for yourself, there is plenty to see and enjoy at Woodborough Yard. Including a spectacular Christmas shopping experience at Whitehall Garden Centre and an opportunity to feed reindeer!
Spend some time with the experts who run the businesses - their enthusiasm and interest in their products and what they do makes the shopping experience so much richer.
So, Woodborough Yard ... at your own pace ... no rushing ... plenty of time for brunch, lunch or afternoon tea and some quality shopping.
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Heritage & Shopping!
Thomas Bayly was a silk mercer and a prominent Marlborough citizen. He ran his business and brought up his family at what is now 132/3 High Street in Marlborough. In 1653, Marlborough was destroyed in a huge fire which meant that the High Street was completely rebuilt - including this building.
A rare and remarkable survival, the Merchant's House provides an insight into the lifestyle of a middle-class family during a century when modern Britain was coming into being.
Although the house is closed to the public in November and December, the shop is still open, with the most fabulous gifts and homewares for you to browse. Renowned for their Christmas goodies, it's well worth a visit. Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 9.30am to 5.00pm
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Exploring the Vale of Pewsey!
Our extensive collection of walking and cycling routes is now on our website for download to your phone or other device, and the printed leaflets are available from our members as well as our Tourist Information Kiosks and the Crop Circle Exhibition & Information Centre in Honeystreet.
All the routes contain information about accessibility and distance and include an Ordnance Survey map. The online versions also have information about refreshment stops and, for the cycling routes, you can download the gpx files to use in your favourite cycling app.
We hope you enjoy them!
 
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Last minute Christmas availability!
Delightful Duck Cottage has availability over the Christmas period! Set in the enchanting village of Oxenwood, between Hungerford and Burbage, it is an ideal location for winter walks and cycle rides, with a choice of country pubs in the surrounding villages.
23rd - 30th December is now available. Minimum 3 night stay over this period. Sleeps 4.
Contact hello@theduckcottage.co.uk for more information and rates.
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Events in and around the Vale
We have a really varied events scene in the Vale of Pewsey - for full details of events, go to our What's On page.
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Bonfire Night events across the Vale for 2019
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Father Christmas' Grotto
Meet Father Christmas at Whitehall Garden Centre in Woodborough Yard between 30th November and 24th December!
You must book a slot - they sell out pretty quickly, so don't hang around.
There is plenty of festive shopping to be done as well.
More information can be found here.
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Crafty Courses
With two craft studios in the Vale, there is always something on offer for children and adults, experts and beginners. There is of course lots of Christmassy crafting at this time of year!
The Craft Studio is in the High Street in Pewsey and Karen offers a wide range of enjoyable and skill-building courses.
Paper and Smiles is located at the top of Woodborough Yard and Beeswax Wraps making is just one of the many courses that Kirsty offers,
Or why not buy a gift voucher? It makes a perfect Christmas gift.
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Keeping Up To Date
Why not keep up to date with all the very latest news and information from the Vale of Pewsey by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? |
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 Alton's Horse is All White!
We had a dramatic event that in the end took several weeks to do - rechalking the White Horse of Alton Barnes. Find out more about the amazing RAF logistics and community effort that means the White Horse is now restored back to health!
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And talking of restoring back to health ......
Restorative Yoga - Just the ticket for the Festive season!
Kim Pierpoint from Kalm 'n' Kind Yoga explains why Restorative Yoga may be just the thing to help us through the busy festive season.
For Restorative Yoga, the intention is to relax as far as possible into the postures, using as little physical effort as possible. The mind focuses on the breath in order to cultivate mindfulness and release tension from the body.
Restorative Yoga classes tend to be relaxing and slow paced, using a few postures which are held for long periods of time. Props, such as bolsters, pillows, blankets, blocks and belts, are often used to allow the body to be in the most comfortable and supported position possible. Gentle music may be played and the practice may be combined with guided meditation.
Restorative Yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows the heart rate, regulates the blood pressure and relaxes the body. It is considered particularly beneficial for those suffering from anxiety, insomnia or headaches, as well as other stress-related conditions. It is believed to boost the immune system and accelerate the body's natural healing process.
10 Reasons to Practise Restorative Yoga
Slow down from your everyday life
Benefit from holding the long deep postures
Deepen your self awareness of your mind and body
Feel nurtured
Enhance your flexibility
Boost your immune system
Balance your nervous system
Quieten your mind
Improve sleep
Feel nourished
Does all this sound good?
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Travelling to and getting around the Vale of Pewsey
Getting to the Vale of Pewsey could not be easier.
By car:
We are located just south of Marlborough, so the Vale is easily accessed from the A303 (from either the Durrington or Tidworth junctions) or from the M4 (junctions 14 or 15).
By train:
The Vale has two mainline train stations - one in Pewsey and another in Bedwyn. The line is operated by GWR (Great Western Railways) and you can find the current timetable here.
Once you are here, there are good bus connections to Marlborough and Swindon to the north and Salisbury to the south as well as Devizes and Burbage.
Local Pewsey and Devizes taxi company, Valleywide, has an excellent fleet of fully accessible vehicles and you can contact them on 0800 1707575.
Alternatively, Elite Chauffeurs also offer transport in executive vehicles and you can get 10% off your first trip with them. Contact Elite on 07979 386 952.
Or perhaps you would like a personal, guided tour of some of the main attractions in and around the Vale of Pewsey? Then contact Laurence at Oldbury Tours whose knowledge of the area is exceptional. |
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The Great West Way
It's a route that encourages the visitor to explore, to go off the beaten track and discover quintessential England - the Vale of Pewsey has all this.
You can find lots of information on where to go on their website - www.greatwestway.co.uk
And a great way to explore the Great West Way and the Vale of Pewsey is to have a bespoke tour with Laurence from Oldbury Tours!
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