All Cannings Down

Downs, Moorland in Wiltshire

England

All Cannings Down

A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [17] Seen from Rybury, atop Clifford's Hill, is this sweeping view of downland. Hill Barn is in the distance with Milk Hill on the right.
The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [17] Credit: Michael Dibb

All Cannings Down is a picturesque area located in the county of Wiltshire, England. It is situated within the village of All Cannings, which lies on the northern edge of Salisbury Plain. The Down is a prominent feature of the local landscape, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Covering an area of approximately 500 acres, All Cannings Down is characterized by its gentle slopes and rolling hills. The landscape is predominantly composed of open grassland, interspersed with patches of heather and gorse. This combination of vegetation creates a diverse habitat that supports a variety of wildlife, including numerous bird species and small mammals.

The Down is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts, offering ample opportunities for walking, hiking, and birdwatching. There are several well-maintained footpaths and trails that provide access to the area, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty at their own pace. The panoramic views from the highest points of the Down are particularly breathtaking, showcasing the expansive countryside and distant hills.

In addition to its natural beauty, All Cannings Down holds historical significance. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence of Bronze Age settlements and burial mounds found in the vicinity. These archaeological remnants further enhance the allure of the Down, inviting visitors to delve into its rich past.

Overall, All Cannings Down in Wiltshire offers a tranquil and picturesque setting, perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat amidst the natural wonders of the English countryside.

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All Cannings Down Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.389182/-1.8624316 or Grid Reference SU0965. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [17] Seen from Rybury, atop Clifford's Hill, is this sweeping view of downland. Hill Barn is in the distance with Milk Hill on the right.
The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [17]
Seen from Rybury, atop Clifford's Hill, is this sweeping view of downland. Hill Barn is in the distance with Milk Hill on the right. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [21] Seen, from the bridleway, is this view of the downs. Hill Barn is just right of centre with Milk Hill beyond.
The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [21]
Seen, from the bridleway, is this view of the downs. Hill Barn is just right of centre with Milk Hill beyond. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [22] Alongside the bridleway is this covered reservoir.
The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [22]
Alongside the bridleway is this covered reservoir. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [24] The bridleway climbs Tan Hill. The ascent is fairly gentle, but very long.
The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [24]
The bridleway climbs Tan Hill. The ascent is fairly gentle, but very long. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [26] Having descended slightly from the crest of Tan Hill, Wansdyke is reached.
The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [26]
Having descended slightly from the crest of Tan Hill, Wansdyke is reached. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [27] At this junction of tracks, there are three ways to go. This way, after crossing Wansdyke, leads to Allington.
The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [27]
At this junction of tracks, there are three ways to go. This way, after crossing Wansdyke, leads to Allington. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [28] At this junction of tracks, there are three ways to go. This way, leads across Allington Down to Beckhampton.
The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [28]
At this junction of tracks, there are three ways to go. This way, leads across Allington Down to Beckhampton. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [29] At this junction of tracks, there are three ways to go. This way follows Wansdyke eastwards.
The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [29]
At this junction of tracks, there are three ways to go. This way follows Wansdyke eastwards. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [32] The well surfaced track, a public bridleway, rises slightly before descending to Allington.
The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
A walk from Allington to the Wansdyke and back [32]
The well surfaced track, a public bridleway, rises slightly before descending to Allington. The walk leaves Allington and goes south to run along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal before turning north to cross the minor road at Cannings Cross. Ascending steeply, the path leads to the causewayed enclosure and hillfort of Rybury atop Clifford’s Hill. After a short descent, there is a long climb up Tan Hill to the Wansdyke. A short way along the dyke, the return journey starts, a long descent down a well surfaced track, a public bridleway, to Allington. Just over 4½ miles.
Wansdyke from the northern shoulder of Tan Hill
Wansdyke from the northern shoulder of Tan Hill
Wansdyke running east towards Milk Hill
Wansdyke running east towards Milk Hill
Wansdyke - view west towards Tan Hill
Wansdyke - view west towards Tan Hill
View towards Hill Barn from western side of Milk Hill Before the rain set in for the day.
View towards Hill Barn from western side of Milk Hill
Before the rain set in for the day.
The Wansdyke, East of Tan  Hill This is an extremely impressive ditch and earthwork running across the Pewsey Downs. It is up to some 30 feet deep in places and was probably dug (futilely) by the Britons in the 6-7th Century to try to fend off Saxon invasion from the north.
The Wansdyke, East of Tan Hill
This is an extremely impressive ditch and earthwork running across the Pewsey Downs. It is up to some 30 feet deep in places and was probably dug (futilely) by the Britons in the 6-7th Century to try to fend off Saxon invasion from the north.
Downland West of Milk Hill. Rolling grassy fields north-west of Pewsey lead up to Milk Hill which has a white horse carved on the other side of it.
Downland West of Milk Hill.
Rolling grassy fields north-west of Pewsey lead up to Milk Hill which has a white horse carved on the other side of it.
Tan Hill from Rybury Hillfort. In the foreground is the flat path which runs around prehistoric Rybury. The path is flanked in most areas by earthworks. The fort is an Iron Age camp built upon a Neolithic Hillfort and within the ring it is extremely hummocky and has numerous burrows. The path in the distance leads up to Tan Hill and the Wansdyke runs E-W over the skyline.
Tan Hill from Rybury Hillfort.
In the foreground is the flat path which runs around prehistoric Rybury. The path is flanked in most areas by earthworks. The fort is an Iron Age camp built upon a Neolithic Hillfort and within the ring it is extremely hummocky and has numerous burrows. The path in the distance leads up to Tan Hill and the Wansdyke runs E-W over the skyline.
The Wansdyke on Tan Hill. This is taken looking along the bottom of the ditch with earthen ramparts very evident on both sides. Sheep enjoy the shelter from the wind within the confines of the ditch.
The Wansdyke on Tan Hill.
This is taken looking along the bottom of the ditch with earthen ramparts very evident on both sides. Sheep enjoy the shelter from the wind within the confines of the ditch.
The Wansdyke, North-west of Tan Hill. This is a particularly impressive section of the Wansdyke which was built by the Britons in the 6-7th Century in an attempt to repel the Saxon invasion from the north. The earthwork is far more imposing than its Welsh counterpart, Offa's Dyke - the ditch reaches about 30 feet deep here in this long section.
The Wansdyke, North-west of Tan Hill.
This is a particularly impressive section of the Wansdyke which was built by the Britons in the 6-7th Century in an attempt to repel the Saxon invasion from the north. The earthwork is far more imposing than its Welsh counterpart, Offa's Dyke - the ditch reaches about 30 feet deep here in this long section.
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All Cannings Down is located at Grid Ref: SU0965 (Lat: 51.389182, Lng: -1.8624316)

Unitary Authority: Wiltshire

Police Authority: Wiltshire

What 3 Words

///polar.central.hulk. Near Avebury, Wiltshire

Nearby Locations

All Cannings Down

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.389182,-1.8624316
Archaeological Site: tumulus
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 51.390133/-1.8639379
Archaeological Site: tumulus
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 51.3856388/-1.8609097
Archaeological Site: tumulus
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 51.3856238/-1.8607407
Archaeological Site: earthwork
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 51.3853175/-1.8603223
Archaeological Site: tumulus
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 51.385982/-1.8604832
Archaeological Site: tumulus
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 51.3853158/-1.8608534
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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