By road the site can only approached by a single road ascending the scarp slope of the downs from midway along the B4005 between Wroughton and Chiseldon. More options are available by foot or horseback, including the Ridgeway, which runs west to east along the edge of the downs, and a byway south across the downs to Marlborough.

Position: grid reference SU149762

Nearby towns and cities: Swindon, Marlborough

Nearby villages: Wroughton, Chiseldon

Recommended by Peter Struve

Hackpen Hill

Hackpen Hill is accessed by taking the A4361 south out of Wroughton, in the direction of Avebury. The turning for Hackpen is almost opposite the second signpost for Broad Hinton, taking a left to Hackpen rather than the right to Broad Hinton. A typical brown tourist signpost points the way. After turning off the A4631 you will see the hill (as shown in the illustration opposite) about a mile ahead of you (only it will be dark!), and once you drive up the winding part of the hill there is a car park on the left.

Viewing Options

Once at the car park there are a number of choices for viewing. On a quiet night when there are very few or no other members of the public around the car park itself has a good hardcore surface from which to view.

Alternatively you may wish to walk along the path a little, away from the road and away from view.

You can walk in either direction, using the historical Ridgeway Path, and looking predominantly north, west or east you get terrific views and skies towards the vale of Lynham, Wroughton, and in the direction of Marlborough. Swing round and you have great views to the south!

Recommended by Ray Byrne

Photos courtesy of Google Maps

East Kennett - Borham

Travel through Avebury, and after turning the double-bend at the Red Lion head for the A4 instead of turning right towards Devizes. Once you get to the A4 turn left for less than a quarter of a mile then right to East Kennett. Drive through East Kennett until you get to what appears to be a staggered junction (see second picture below). In fact it is a T-junction only and what appears to be the wider road almost opposite the T-juction is a hard-standing access road, very erroded, which gently rises with a good wide parking area and a good place to set up telescopes. The access land belongs to Wiltshire County Council, and leads to thick woods atop the hill (and a telephone mast). Clay pigeon shooting takes place beyond the woods!

Viewing Options

Viewing can be carried out in the area shown below. Further up the hill the road is single track and so it is best to go no further than 150yds, ample space for a couple of cars and telescopes etc.

As I say, the road gets narrow further up so don't block the access road, there's no need to as there's ample space!

Uffcott, near Wroughton, Swindon

Take the A4361 out of Wroughton towards Avebury for about a mile, at the second sign for Uffcott take a left turn towards the village, on the corner is an open aspect farmyard and it will feel like you are driving into the farm complex, but continue driving along the country lane for about half a mile and on the left you will find a layby which is our viewing spot. If you accidently take the first turning to the village then just drive through the village and out again and you will arrive at the same spot, but it will be on your right.

Aerial Photo: Courtesy of Google Maps

Recommemded by Mark Ackland

For Sat Nav users enter SN6 6RA (My Sat Nav said I was there but I needed to go on a couple of hundred yards where there is a large brown sign (Wiltshire Wildlife Trust) and then another hundred yards to a smaller brown sign indicating the access point.)

The site is well signposted at quarter of a mile and then at the entrance (see above)
Courtesy of Google Maps

More Info: Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve

Recommended by Swindon Stargazers Committee

Highworth Community Centre is the perfect viewing spot for beginners, with ample facilities, toilets, kitchen and inhouse rest area and adequate parking in the lower overflow car parks. There are several viewing spots with hard-standing, including the terrace outside the back of the community centre.

Address:

Highworth Community Centre, The Dormers, Highworth, SN6 7PQ

Directions:

Take the A361 out of Swindon. At Highworth, drive over the first roundabout keeping on the A361 towards Lechlade and Burford. At the next roundabout after passing the Shell garage take the second exit (RIGHT) sign-posted Faringdon onto the B4019. At the next (Eastrop) double mini roundabout go straight across in the direction of Haresfield. Once over this take the first turning LEFT into Priory Green. Highworth Community Centre is signposted here. Continue along Priory Green turning third RIGHT into The Dormers and on the bend turn LEFT at the signpost for Highworth Community Centre. There is a concealed newsagent and general store on the right hand corner of the road.

On entering the community centre follow the signs round to the overflow car parks (there are two). Park in one of these as the viewing areas are at the rear of the building.