Vale of Pewsey, Valley in Wiltshire, England
The Vale of Pewsey is a broad, flat valley in Wiltshire, England, lying between the chalk hills of Salisbury Plain to the south and the Marlborough Downs to the north. The valley floor sits on soft greensand rock, while the surrounding slopes are formed from chalk, creating a clear contrast between the low ground and the hills above.
People have lived in the valley since at least the Neolithic period, as shown by the earthwork enclosure at Knap Hill, which dates back over 4,000 years. In the 19th century, the Kennet and Avon Canal was cut through the valley, turning it into a key transport route across Wiltshire.
The valley is best explored on foot or by bike, with paths running through fields, along the canal, and between villages. The ground is mostly flat and easy to walk, though some lanes can become muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
The chalk slopes framing the valley are home to two white horses cut into the hillside, visible from a long distance across the flat ground below. One of them is said to have been made in 1812, making it one of the more recent chalk figures in Wiltshire.
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