Liddington: Hill Walks and Village History

For your travel planning, Liddington offers two distinct focal points: the landscape and paths around Liddington Hill, and the historic village centre around All Saints and The Green. This allows you to get to know the area both through its chalk landscape and its architectural and local history.

Getting there by bus

Bus route 46A runs between Swindon and Hungerford, via Wanborough, Liddington, Aldbourne and Ramsbury. On the route to Liddington Hill, buses between Hungerford and Swindon stop at Foxhill Turn; there is no service there on Sundays. As timetables can change, check the current service before travelling.

Landscape and paths at Liddington Hill

The chalk grassland along the path over Liddington Hill is a rare and distinctive habitat for flowers, butterflies and birds. Rabbits, hares and deer can also be seen there throughout the year. Liddington Hill rises to over 900 feet (275 m) and is visible from far away; a group of beech trees stands on the hill.

The Ridgeway crosses Liddington Hill and runs through the parish from east to west. It follows the top edge of the chalk escarpment that forms the hill. As a long-distance walking route, The Ridgeway is one of the 15 designated long-distance routes in England and Wales. This classification places the route within a wider network of trails; the local landscape shapes the section near Liddington.

The Liddington Hill Circular follows the bridleway along The Ridgeway and includes a detour to Liddington Castle hillfort. The route thus combines the long-distance trail with a local historical site. As path conditions can change, it is advisable to check current conditions before setting out.

Another stretch of the walk is the footpath along Liden Brook: it passes through woodland and offers a view of Liddington Manor. In contrast to the chalk landscape on the hill, this walk focuses on the wooded setting. This makes it possible to include two different landscape experiences of Liddington in your travel plans.

Village centre and historic buildings

The Liddington Conservation Area includes the historic village centre around All Saints church and The Green. All Saints is the oldest building in the parish of Liddington. Although the church was restored in the late 19th century, much of the 13th-century building is visible in the chancel and north aisle. Its architectural features also include a 13th-century aisle, an Early English chancel and a short, three-storey Perpendicular-period tower.

The Iron Age hillfort of Liddington Castle is also among the historical features associated with the hill. It is well preserved and designated as a Scheduled Monument. The site contains archaeological and environmental evidence of its construction, the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in which they lived. For a walk where you would like to take in the landscape and history together, the detour included in the circular route offers a tangible point of interest.

Discover more destinations: Highworth, Swindon, South Marston, Broad Blunsdon.

Return to the main travel overview: Swindon.