Great Outdoors

Extract from Pub Walks in Wiltshire by Nick Channer

THE walk follows several quiet roads before returning to the park on the homeward leg.

With its charming weavers' cottages, mellow stone period buildings and historic almshouses, Corsham is one of Wiltshire's prettiest towns. At the heart of Corsham stands the fine church of St Bartholomew, which dates back to the 12th and 15th centuries and can be seen at different points on the walk. In the churchyard is the grave of Sarah Jones, who died in 1753 at the grand old age of 107 - a remarkable achievement in those days.

The Flemish Weaver is an ideal watering hole for walkers. Food is prepared and cooked in-house and appetising lunchtime dishes include ham, egg and chips and a range of salads and baguettes. On Sunday there is even a choice of two traditional roasts. Other options might include smoked haddock, cauliflower and broccoli cheese bake, free-range gammon steak and grilled mackeral fillets. No food is available on Sunday evening. There is always a choice of real ales at the Flemish Weaver, including Bath Gem and Hopback GFB, plus a great guest beer. Call (01249) 701929.

HOW TO GET THERE: Follow the A4 west of Chippenham and turn off at the sign for Corsham. Use either of the two car parks located on the left as you enter the town. Walk through the shopping area to the High Street, turn left and head for the pub, situated on the left beyond the tourist information centre.

Parking: The Flemish Weaver does not have a car park. There are two main car parks, both fee-paying, in the centre of Corsham.

LENGTH OF WALK: 4 miles. Map: OS Explorer 156 Chippenham and Bradford on Avon (GR 873705) From the pub cross the road and head for St Bartholomew's church, Corsham Court can be seen on the left. As you approach the church, turn right to a gate and follow a tree-lined avenue for a short distance. Turn left onto a concrete path, go through another gate and walk ahead across Corsham Park, aiming to the right of Corsham Lake. Merge with an obvious path and follow it as it runs along the right-hand boundary of the parkland. Look back along this stretch for a superb view of Corsham Court and the parish church. Keep parallel with the lake and make for a gate and stile. Cross a track to join an enclosed path running to a field and cross it to a stile leading out to a lane.

Turn left, pass Park Farm and continue along the road. Soon you are in the depths of the countryside, surrounded by sprawling farmland and a network of hedgerows. Follow the lane round a right-hand bend and keep left at the fork. At the next junction turn left along the road, passing a remote stonebuilt house on the right. One of Corsham Court's imposing entrances can be seen on the left as you approach the A4.

Turn left at the junction to pass through a galvanised kissing gate. Follow the footpath, heading diagonally across parkland. A broad curtain of trees is seen over to the left. After some minutes go through a gate and continue across the parkland; along this stretch look for a wooden gate among the trees. Pass through the latter gate, cross a stone bridge and go through a gate to reach a sign Please keep to footpath'.

Bear right to a stile and maintain the same direction across Corsham Park. Corsham Lake, seen in the early stages of the walk, edges into view. Pass a footpath sign and keep alongside a hedge and ditch to the reach the field corner. Go through another kissing gate, obscured by trees and bushes, and follow the boundary to the next gate. Corsham Court and St Bartholomew's Church are clearly seen on this stretch. Keep the ha-ha on your right and follow the path along to the churchyard. Enter it and then retrace your steps back to the pub.