21: Knapp Down and the Ebble Valley

Glyn’s been so busy since the last episode that he’s not done any walking or taken a single photograph. But that doesn’t mean he’s been shirking his Hidden Wiltshire duties. He’s produced the first draft of the second Hidden Wiltshire book which will be out before Christmas. This one is a joint venture between Glyn and Paul and will feature photographs taken both from above and at ground level. Glyn has also embarked on the mammoth task of editing the footage shot for what will be Hidden Wiltshire’s first YouTube video.

Meanwhile Paul has been slacking insofar as once again he’s been entirely absent from Wiltshire since the last podcast. This necessitated another first for the team. Whilst Glyn was recording from his bunker in Trowbridge, Paul was recording from the depths of south west France – the very north of Dordogne to be precise. So we spent some time talking about the differences in the landscape between south west France and Wiltshire. Both steeped in history but revealing itself in different ways.

The main subject this week was the walk that Paul did with regular walking chum Stu at the end of August. In fact Stu was responsible for putting this route in the Ebble Valley together. But his long career in the army, where he was used to yomping long distances laden with huge loads, resulted in a slightly over-ambitious route of nearly 15 miles including a gruesome 4 miles along the old Salisbury – Shaftesbury turnpike. With a bit of tweaking this was reduced to just over 10 miles with an alternative route coming in at around 9.5 miles. Crucially both options involve a shorter trudge along the turnpike.

The walk starts in the lovely village of Broad Chalke in the Ebble Valley in the south west of the county. An alternative start point is the village hall at Bishopstone, further east along the valley. The walk begins by following the River Ebble through these two beautiful villages before striking north and up to the ridge which once carried the old turnpike road, all the time checking the views as they open up behind you. Whilst the ridge route can be a little boring you do get some fantastic views north and south from time to time. Our goal was the large Iron Age hillfort of Chiselbury Camp. It’s worth walking around its single bank to the edge of the escarpment to the north for the views across the Nadder Valley and the tops of the Fovant Badges at your feet.

For Stu and Paul the revelation of this walk was the stunning Knapp Down. After a leg breaking descent from the turnpike into the head of the combe the going gets easier as you head down towards Broad Chalke. This is a beautiful, peaceful place with scenes reminiscent of Alpine meadows. We threaded our way through the open access land eventually reaching Chalk Pyt Farm via the bridleway to the south west of the open access area. You can’t quite reach Chalk Pyt Farm on the open access land. But from here it’s a short walk back to the village and a well-earned pint in the Queens Head.

A glorious and varied walk for a warm sunny day.

Then on to the wrap up:

Steve Dixon’s piece leading into the discussion about the walk is entitled “Hills Hiding Hangars”. This piece was featured in the interview BBC Radio Wiltshire did with Steve a while ago. It’s such a beautiful piece we decided to play all of it so this segment is slightly longer than usual. As ever the piece in the introduction and at the end of the podcast is entitled “The Holloway”.

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Thanks again to the ever-patient Tim Kington at TKC Sales, the UK distributors of Lowa walking boots and shoes, and for the 20% discount on their products to Hidden Wiltshire podcast listeners. Listen to the show for the discount code. It can’t last forever! You’ll find a link to Lowa Boots’ website below.

And finally, help us keep the lights on by heading to the Hidden Wiltshire Online shop. Link below.

To follow the walk in this episode click on this link Knapp Down and the Ebble Valley

Glyn’s photographs can be seen of course on this website and on his Instagram feed @coy_cloud

Paul’s photography can be found on his website at Paul Timlett Photography and on Instagram at @tragicyclist

Steve Dixon’s sound art can be found on Soundcloud where his username is River and Rail Steve Dixon River and Rail. His photographs can be found on Instagram at @stevedixon_creative and his graphic design business website is at Steve Dixon Creative

You can find Lowa Boots UK at Lowa Boots UK

And finally you’ll find the Hidden Wiltshire online shop here Hidden Wiltshire Shop