Newbury
Discover the outstanding roads - and sights - at the heart of historic Wessex
Superb roads and intriguing heritage are both to be found on this route
For some people, Newbury’s no more than a service station on the M4, where the A34 heading north from the south-coast ports crosses England’s east-west corridor at Chieveley. But there’s much more to the county town of Berkshire than that. From its historic town centre to the racecourse, it’s a bustling place — it also has a good beer festival in September!
It doesn’t matter when you go, though (you probably don’t want a big night on the ale before riding anyway.) The surrounding area is packed with great roads you’d never suspect were there if you hadn’t left the motorway — not that the M4 is all bad, as it takes a lot of traffic from the smaller roads.
There’s plenty to see in the area, whether you like the mysterious past (Avebury, Stonehenge and neolithic white horses) or the mysteriously popular (Downton Abbey is filmed at nearby Highclere Castle). But the real attraction, of course, is the riding, darting through some of the prettiest countryside in England.
Our motorcycling route from Newbury
STAGE ONE
Newbury to Avebury35 miles
Leave Newbury on the old A4 heading towards Hungerford. At the third roundabout in Hungerford (by a pub called The Bear) turn left on the A338 to Salisbury. After 10 miles, turn right at the roundabout on the A346 to Swindon and stay on this road through Marlborough town centre. Keep your eyes peeled in Ogbourne St Andrew: you need to take the easily missed left turn towards Rockley. Stay on this single-track all the way to a T-junction and turn right (there’s no sign, unfortunately) onto the two-lane road that crosses Hackpen Hill (the white horse will be behind you as you descend). When you reach the A4361, turn left to Avebury.
Morning coffee: Circles Café, Avebury: The Red Lion in Avebury used to be a huge bike meet (until it was banned). If you go past it down the high street to the museum, you’ll find the café, with plenty of outside seating.
STAGE TWO
Avebury to Amesbury: 30 miles
From the Red Lion in Avebury, set off as if continuing along the A4361, but after 100m when the road passes through the stone circle and bends to the left, carry straight on along the B4003 to West Kennet (past the famous avenue of standing stones). At the A4, turn right towards Calne, going past Silbury Hill. At the roundabout, turn left on the A361 to Devizes. Go into the town centre and pick up the A360 to Salisbury. If you want to go to Stonehenge, look out for the visitors’ centre off the roundabout after Shrewton. Otherwise continue to the roundabout with the A303 and turn left towards London and Amesbury. Take the first exit off the Amesbury bypass and follow the signposts to go into the town centre.
Lunch: The Friar Tuck Café, AmesburyYou have to do a lap of Amesbury’s triangular one-way system (and perhaps be lucky with the parking) to visit this local institution: a proper old-school café serving good-value grub to hungry bikers (and civilians) for as long as we can remember.
STAGE THREE
Amesbury to Stockbridge: 40 miles
From Amesbury head south on the A345 to Salisbury. At the Old Sarum roundabout turn left towards The Winterbournes and follow signs for Marlborough (A338). When you get to Winterbourne Gunner, turn right at the roundabout on the A338 to Salisbury. At the A30 roundabout, turn right and skirt the edge of Salisbury until you pick up the A36 towards Southampton. There are a few miles of dual carriageway as the A36 heads south but thankfully, they don’t last for too long, then two miles after it goes back to single carriageway, turn left on the A27 towards Romsey. Go into Romsey town centre and pick up the A3057 to Stockbridge. At the roundabout in Stockbridge, turn left to go onto the high street.
Afternoon tea: Thyme and Tides Deli, StockbridgeOn the left as you go down the short Stockbridge high street is this classy traditional deli and fishmonger, which does a great line in coffee and cakes at the tables out back.
STAGE FOUR
Stockbridge to Newbury: 30 miles
From Stockbridge high street, return to the roundabout and turn left on the A30 towards Sutton Scotney. After five miles on the A30 turn left on the B3420 to Wherwell. Coming into the 30mph limit, where the road goes left by a thatched cottage, turn right on the B3048 to Longparish. Look out two miles later: you need to turn left to stay on the B3048 (otherwise you end up being shunted onto the dual-carriageway A303). Stay on the B3048 all the way to Hurstbourne Tarrant and then turn right on the A343 to return to Newbury
SEE
Avebury & Stonehenge: Which is the most mind-boggling Neolithic monument? You can decide for yourself on this trip, though you need to book your visit to Stonehenge ahead of time. The gigantic Avebury stone circle is a world heritage site maintained by the National Trust but it’s free to enter. They’re probably best avoided around the summer solstice though, unless you want to hang out with druids...
Donnington Castle: While a guided tour round Highclere Castle (which starred on TV as Downton Abbey) can set you back £100, admission to Donnington is absolutely free. Of course, one’s an immaculately preserved stately home that’s still used as a family abode and the other one’s a ruin... but still, you can only fit a short visit to the free one into part of a day on the bike.
Stay: Hare & Hounds Hotel, Newbury: A proper, traditional coach inn with a proper, traditional tap room and a thoroughly modern menu in the restaurant, it’s an ideal base for our tour with plenty of parking and really comfortable rooms.
Route summary
Start/finish: Newbury
Distance: 135 miles
Riding time: 4 hours
Please note: This page contains the motorcycle touring routes for The RiDE Guide To Great Britain which was published in October 2017. These website pages are not regularly updated, so please check all critical information before you travel. All route files are in .gpx format. Garmin and BMW users can download the main file, which contains all the routes. TomTom users can either download the individual routes or use the MyRouteApp (depending on the age of your device).