Get to Know Route 45

This 11 mile route explores some of Swindon’s rich Railway heritage and lovely oak forests.  Winding through the stunning Coate Water Country Park, over the "Helter Skelter" M4 bridge and onto the track bed of the Swindon to Marlborough Railway (now the National Cycle Network path 45).  The route passes the residential area Chisledon and the North Wessex Downs taking in the NCN 482 and the old Marlborough to Chisledon Railway Line.  The Three Trees café makes a great place to stop before returning back to Coate Water Country Park. Some sights of interest include the ancient Roman Road Swindon to Marlborough, a historic railway line which opened in in the 1880s, a WWI and WWII camp and part of an ancient complex network of tracks that have existed since Neolithic times.  We will be riding on Route 45 and 482 of the National Cycle Network. Please note that although much of this route is offroad it is on tarmaced surface but the few files south os Chisledon are on an offroad trail which is suitable for road bike with good tyres. If you are precious about your road bike then perhaps you might want to to leave it at home