From Wadswick we head towards Chapel Plaister and Hazelbury Common and Manor, skirting woodlands then return over fields to Wadswick. We look for limestone flora and fauna with an expert in the subject.

From the car park we head SE to Chapel Plaister which takes its name from an Anglican chapel, traditionally founded c1235 by Sir John du Plessis, Earl of Warwick and rebuilt 1340 by Richard Plaisted of Castle Combe.

The Pilgrims’ Chapel at Chapel Plaister is a tiny, but unique part of our national heritage. It dates to the 13th Century and stands beside what in previous times, was the principal route to the southwest. This chapel is one of the few remaining examples of roadside havens, which would have provided shelter and a place of worship to pilgrims journeying to Glastonbury to visit the shrine of Joseph of Arimathea. The chapel has been adapted for numerous secular uses over the years, but it was restored back to a place of worship in 1893, with a more recent and comprehensive restoration, taking place in 1999.

We explore Hazelbury Common before continuing along the drive to Hazelbury Manor. The south front contains a C15 Great Hall (with minstrel’s gallery), marked by a large, canted bay and a two-storey entrance porch, both reconstructed by Brakspear in 1920-5. The Manor was visited by Queen Elizabeth 1 on 23 August 1575. The garden dates from C17.

From Hazelbury Manor, we turn east to the drive to Wadswck Green and the start point.

The underlying geology is Mid-Jurassic Cornbrash. Cornbrash is a local name for a rubbly limestone, forming a soil extensively cultivated in Wiltshire for growing cereals. Stratigraphically, this rock is the highest member of the Lower Oolite. The small stones in the soil create a microclimate which enhances germination of cereals.

The walk takes in two different soil types. The soil under the woodlands is lime-rich loamy and clayey with impeded drainage. It is generally highly fertile with classic ancient woodlands, arable and some grassland.

‘Cornbrash’ soil is shallow and lime-rich over limestone, loamy, and freely draining. Typically, it is herb-rich downland and limestone pasture with Beech hangers and other lime-rich woodlands, arable and grassland.

The biodiversity of Cotswold limestone grassland makes it very important. A typical patch can contain over 40 species of flowering plants. Wildflowers support a huge variety of invertebrates. In turn, the invertebrates support a variety of mammals, bats, and birds higher up the food chain.

There will not be a lunch stop, but you are welcome to use the Forage Café (closes 4pm) at the Wadswick Country Store at the end of the walk (bring money/card).

Please bring a snack.