01. Start
Begin at the car park beside the Devizes White Horse, cut into the chalk hillside above Roundway. The current horse dates from 1999 and is the newest of Wiltshire’s white horses. From here there are immediate views across the surrounding countryside, Roundway village, Bishops Cannings church spire and the town of Devizes. From the car park, head over the wooden style towards Leipzig Plantation.
02.
Leipzig Plantation is a small Victorian beech woodland, short but atmospheric, with a well worn track and trees that arch over the path, creating a tunnel like feel. Rope swings hang from a few of the branches and are always a hit with children.
The plantation is named after the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars. Exit via the wooden stile and continue straight along the ridge.
03.
The path now follows open ground with low, windswept scrub and wide views. You soon reach a small car park beside a long, straight stone track. Cross the track and continue straight across the corn field towards the larger woodland ahead.
04.
Enter Roundway Hill Covert woods and take the right hand fork and follow the path through the woods with glimpses of the corn field to your right. After a while you reach another fork. Both routes lead to Oliver’s Castle, but our favourite option is to take the left path. This route leads you quietly through the trees before before opening out onto a dramatic viewpoint.
05.
This is the first of several viewpoints on the walk. From here the land drops away to reveal wide views across the Vale of Pewsey and Salisbury Plain. Turn right and follow the path along the hill edge as it moves between steep grassy slopes and sheltered woodland.
Eventually you will get distant views of Oliver’s Castle forming ahead as a headland dotted with a few windswept trees.
06.
Leave the woods beside a small car park at the end of the stone track you crossed earlier. Pass through the metal stile on the left and step out onto Roundway Down and the earthworks of Oliver’s Castle.
This is an Early Iron Age hillfort dating back to around 500 BC, likely used as a refuge rather than a permanent settlement. The circular earthworks form a raised ridge that you can follow around along the top, offering exceptional views across Wiltshire.
07.
From the small car park, return via the long stone track and rejoin the path near Leipzig Plantation. Continue back through the woods to the Devizes White Horse car park.
Near by
Devizes is a short drive away and makes a good place to finish the walk. The Hourglass sits beside the canal and is a relaxed spot for food or a drink, with outdoor seating and views across the water on warmer days.
