This scenic 7.7 mile path mostly follows the track of the old Midland and Southwestern Junction Railway, linking Chiseldon and Marlborough. It’s a shared path, and also a bridleway, so expect to encounter horses at times.
Chiseldon to Marlborough Railway Path cycle route overall rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
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Surface on the route
The surface is almost completely unsealed, and varies from good, to a bit bumpy. It can get muddy, after rain.
Refreshments
There’s the Three Trees cafe in Chiseldon, and the Inn With The Well, almost halfway, but nothing else on, or very close to the route.
Bikes
You can use any type of bicycle, but road bike riders will find it a rough and uncomfortable ride. You will be better off with chunkier tyres.
Cargo bikes and trikes will get through, but riders should take care, as in places the path is quite narrow.
Toilets
There are toilets at the Three Trees cafe in Chiseldon, and the Inn With The Well.
Safety from traffic
The route isn’t entirely traffic-free, and by Ogbourne St George, there’s a short stretch of on-road cycling.
The grading system I use is explained here.
Points of Interest
Coate Water Park is nearby, and easily reachable by bicycle from Chiseldon (some on-road cycling required)
- Chiseldon to Marlborough Railway Path
Barriers
There are no barriers along this route, but there are some posts, or bollards that are a bit tight. Despit ethis, trikes and cargo bikes should be able to get through.
Cycle Hire
The nearest cycle hire is from The Bike Works, in Swindon.
Child friendliness
While parts of the route are suitable for even youn kids, given the narrowness of the path, and the on-road section, overall it’s really only suitable for older kids.
Social safety
Significant parts of the route are very isolated, though in summer you can expect it to be busy.
Hilliness
This route is very flat, with a few short sections of mild gradients.
Weather forecast for the route
What this route looks like
Getting to the Chiseldon to Marlborough Railway Path
It is possible to get to the start car-free, by taking your bike on the train, with the nearest station being Swindon. As ever, read my Bikes On Trains guide for useful and helpful tips for taking your bike on the train.
Parking near the path
There is ample parking by the Three Trees Café, post code SN4 0HT.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes that can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle.
Chiseldon to Marlborough Railway Path interactive map
You can download the GPX file from the map below, simply by clicking the GPX button. Hovering over the elevation profile will show the elevation for that point along the route, in both metres and feet. It will also show the gradient.
If viewing the map on your phone, you will also see a Find Me, Navigate and Record Route button, below the map. WillCycle Supporters can have voice turn-by-turn navigation of the route.
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