The best road cycling routes around Royal Wootton Bassett

Beautiful - genuily a stunning little gem of a place on the sides of the busy A road.

If you’re looking for a place that says, "I’m an ancient military mastermind, but I also enjoy a really great view," then Sidbury Hill is your spot. Located deep in the heart of Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, this isn't just a hill—it’s a massive, 2,500-year-old Iron Age fortress that looks like someone tried to sculpt a giant green jelly mold. Here is why it’s a blast (sometimes literally) to visit: 1. It’s a "Giant’s Stepping Stone" From a distance, Sidbury Hill looks like a perfectly symmetrical bump on an otherwise flat landscape. It’s an Iron Age Hillfort, and the people who built it weren't messing around. They dug massive ditches and ramparts that are still so steep today they’ll give your calves a serious workout. 2. The "Forbidden" Vibe Here’s the fun (and slightly spicy) part: Sidbury Hill sits right on the edge of the Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA). This is military territory. While the hill itself is usually accessible via public rights of way, you’re often surrounded by signs warning you not to touch "suspicious metal objects." It’s like being in an Indiana Jones movie, except instead of boulders chasing you, there’s a chance you’ll hear a distant BOOM from a tank range. (Don't worry, stay on the paths and you're golden!) 3. The "Motorway" of the Stone Age The hill is a major "junction" for ancient roads. The Harroway—an ancient trackway that’s arguably the oldest road in Britain—passes right by. Standing on the summit, you can almost imagine ancient traders trekking across the chalk with their flint and furs, probably complaining about the steep climb just like we do. 4. Nature Gone Wild Because the military has owned this land for over a century, it hasn't been touched by modern chemicals or intensive farming. It’s a time capsule of what England looked like hundreds of years ago. The Grass: It’s "unimproved chalk grassland," which is a fancy way of saying it’s a VIP lounge for rare butterflies and wildflowers. The Birds: Keep an eye out for Stone-curlews (very rare, very weird-looking birds) or buzzards circling overhead looking for a snack.

This is a beautiful section of the Wessex Ridgeway just north of Marlborough. The full ridgeway route is 136 miles long and is part of the ancient trade route that once stretched across England.

There a a few pubs and cafes here which make for a good break.

Pleasant village surrounded by quiet lanes with good visibility of oncoming cars

The wonderful views and fast flowing descent after Hackpen Hill heading South-East over the summit toward Marlborough

Busy and blustery road - exposed to the wind and fast lorries!

Silsbury Hill is a local legend, mostly because no one really knows what it was for! First created around the same time as Avebury Stone Circle, it has seen plenty of history since. The Romans built a settlement around it and historians have tried to tunnel into it to discover burial chambers, with no luck. It remains an intriguing mystery but a lovely monument to focus on as you run in the area.