Top 8 Natural Monuments around Rowde

Around Rowde, you'll find a blend of natural features and historical significance. The area is known for its impressive hill figures, such as the Cherhill White Horse, carved into chalk hillsides, and various viewpoints offering expansive vistas over the picturesque countryside. Many sites also have historical importance, often blending ancient human endeavors with the natural landscape.

Yes, the Devizes White Horse is considered family-friendly. This chalk figure, created in 1999 on Roundway Hill, is easily accessible by multiple footpaths, making it a great option for families to visit and enjoy the views.

The Cherhill White Horse is a significant historical natural monument, being the second oldest white horse in Wiltshire, carved in 1778. Additionally, the View from Roundway Down is located at an Iron Age hill fort, offering both natural beauty and ancient historical context.

For breathtaking views, visit the Cherhill White Horse, which offers expansive vistas over the picturesque countryside. Morgan's Hill, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, also provides commanding views over Cherhill Down and the plains of north Wiltshire. Another excellent spot is Tan Hill on King Alfred's Way, which offers superb vistas of the Vale of Pewsey.

The area around Rowde offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, including routes like the 'Devizes Millennium White Horse – Heddington Byway loop'. For cycling enthusiasts, there are road cycling routes and MTB trails, such as the 'Wessex Ridgeway and Kennet & Avon Canal Loop' or the 'Devizes White Horse – Devizes Wharf loop'.

Yes, many natural monuments are accessible via footpaths and trails. For instance, the Devizes White Horse is easily reached by multiple footpaths. The View from Roundway Down is part of a popular area for dog walkers and offers many trails. You can explore various running trails that are also suitable for walking, such as the 'Caen Hill Locks – Caen Hill Locks loop from Rowde'.

The chalk grasslands around sites like Roundway Down are rich in wildlife. In summer, you can often spot wildflowers and butterflies. The area around the Caen Hill Locks, while not a natural monument itself, is known for its beautiful nature and wildlife, especially with thousands of trees planted for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Visitors particularly enjoy the commanding views and the sense of history. The Cherhill White Horse is appreciated for its breathtaking views over the picturesque countryside. Many also enjoy the extensive network of chalk tracks and trails, perfect for exploring the stunning natural areas like Morgan's Hill.

Yes, Morgan's Hill is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This highlights its ecological importance and makes it a significant location for nature enthusiasts.

While not strictly natural monuments, the broader Wiltshire region near Rowde is famous for sites that blend ancient human construction with the natural landscape. These include the View from Roundway Down, which is an Iron Age hill fort. Further afield, but still within Wiltshire, are sites like the Avebury Stone Circle, Silbury Hill, and West Kennet Long Barrow, which offer insights into prehistoric civilizations amidst expansive natural views.

The natural monuments around Rowde, particularly those on exposed hillsides like the white horses and viewpoints, can be enjoyed year-round. However, for the best walking conditions and to see wildflowers and butterflies, late spring and summer are ideal. Be prepared for wind due to the elevation and exposed locations, especially at spots like Tan Hill.