The West Wiltshire area comprises five main towns i.e. Bradford-on-Avon, Melksham, Trowbridge, Warminster, Westbury, and many villages. The open spaces of Salisbury Plain and the West Wiltshire Downs - chalk downland to the east and south of Westbury - offer walking opportunities well away from traffic. Bradford-on-Avon dates back to Saxon times and is a popular centre for walking, particularly along the Kennet & Avon Canal towards Bath.
The West Wiltshire group continues to thrive, endeavouring to provide walks throughout the year every Wednesday and Sunday thanks to the goodwill and contribution of its members. Distances can range from a 4-mile stroll to a more demanding 15-mile walk. On the all-day walks we always break for lunch, so please bring a picnic. Our programme of walks continues to be very popular with between 20 and 30 members participating each week. Details of our walks, which are publicised widely in the local press, can be found on the Group Walks Finder. Additionally, on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the summer, we help organize a series of railway walks from stations on the Bristol to Weymouth service, with many of our members taking part or leading.
We regularly organize self-booking weekends away, as well as longer breaks with Ramblers Holidays. Recent venues have been Derbyshire, Dorset, Pembrokeshire, Crete, Majorca and Southern Italy.
The Ramblers exists to facilitate, for the benefit of everyone, the enjoyment and discovery that walking outdoors can bring; and to promote respect for the life of the countryside. The association encourages walking; protects rights of way; defends the beauty of the countryside; and has campaigned for many years for the freedom to roam over uncultivated, open country.