[1] From the Centre entrance go forward to the road crossing and cross the road, turn right and then immediately left going alongside the side of Morrisons supermarket. At the store entrance continue on the footpath across the car park until joining the footpath at far side. Turn right on the footpath and continue under the underpass, pass the wooded area on your left and cross the footbridge over the brook.
Take care when crossing the road and Morrisons' car park.
[2] After the footbridge turn left and continue along the pavement to the next footbridge and turn left recrossing the brook. Turn right and follow the footpath along the side of the brook keeping it on your right. Continue past the childrens play area until the road. Cross the road and continue on the footpath to the left of the brook. Continue along the footpath for some distance until you reach another footbridge, which you cross and turn left on to the tarmac footpath. Continue on this bridle way until you reach the road at Queen Elizabeth Drive.
[3] Turn left towards the Tawny Owl Pub and then cross the road at the marked crossing.
Take care when crossing the road. You may wish to stop here for refreshments etc.
Continue on the footpath to the right of the Pumping Station, under the bridge, until you reach the Mouldon Hill Car Park on your left.
[4] At the car park turn right towards the Lake. As you reach the lake continue on the footpath, keeping the lake on your left. Go three quarters of the way round the lake to the gap in the hedge. Go through the kissing gate, which takes you into an open field.
Take care in this area as there are often dogs running loose. Swans and geese may also present a danger to small children.
(A) Mouldon Hill Lake is man-made and was established around 15 years ago. The area is continuing to be developed into a leisure area and the Cricklade Railway is due to build a new Station here in the future.
[5] On entering the field, turn to the right and take the grass track which runs alongside the River Ray.You can see the old brickwork of the Canal Aquaduct from the field. Continue until you reach the kissing gate. Go through and across the canal to the opposite bank.
[6] You are now on the Wilts and Berks Canal tow path.
You may wish to take time here to look at the aquaduct to your right which carried the Wilts and Berks Canal over the River Ray.
Turn left keeping the Canal to your left then continue along the canal path until you reach the main road at the underpass.
On the way you will see the River Ray to your right and there are a number of viewing points to explore. You will also see one of the locks which has been partially restored.
Take care of the water in both the canal and the river. There is also a steep drop into the lock which is unfenced. Muddy at times.
(B) The stretch of the Wilts & Berks Canal which you have just walked along has been restored in recent times and the Priory Vale developers were required to build the underpass and the canal path that you can see in front of it just in case the canal was ever used again in the future!
[7] At the junction with the road you will also see an underpass to the left. Take the underpass and continue on the footpath until you reach a directional signpost. Take the footpath off to your right heading towards Swindon Town Centre on the National Cycle Route 45 (blue sign).
Route 45 runs from Gloucester Cathederal to Salisbury Cathederal.
This footpath/cycle path is disused railway track of the Swindon - Cricklade line. To your right you will see the River Ray again and to your left, through the trees, the old cooling lake of the Moredon Power Station which once stood on the site of the housing estate.
Continue on this path, through the wooded area, until you reach the open field on your left, at the marker post on your right and just before the bridge railings.
[8] At the field turn left and take the centre grass path, heading towards the dome, which is Hreod Nova Academy. Go through the gap in the hedgerow to the corner of the school fence. Take the footpath off to the left heading towards the electricity pylon. Take the narrow path to the right at the pylon and then turn to the left following the grass track around the edge of the field following the line of the power cables.
(C) To your left you will see the remaining operations of the Moredon Power Station, built in 1929, which stood on the site until 1979. The coal fired generators were originally supplied coal by the railway track on which you have just walked. Further details can be found on www.swindonsotherrailways.co.uk.
Take care as the path is often very muddy around the base of the pylon.
In the corner of the field turn on to the narrow path heading towards the metal fence. Cross the narrow footbridge and turn left, keeping the fence to your right. At the end of the fence take the pathway that runs up alongside the allotments until you reach the road.
Take care on the bridge as it may be slippery and the fast running water below.
[9] At the road turn left towards the pedestrian crossing. Cross over the road and take the footpath, bearing left between the houses up the slope. Cross over 2 minor roads on this path and at the next electricity pylon turn right. Continue straight ahead on this footpath, past the childrens playground and at the road, Jasmin Close, keep to the pavement on the right until you go between the houses in Safron Close. Continue through the gap with the Park Farm Sanctuary home, in Locks Green Crescent, on your right. Continue up to the main road, The Street. Cross the road carefully and turn left going down the hill past the bus stop.
Keep to the pavement on the right until you reach the just over the top of the brow. Take the path running down the slope, just before the bus stop. At the road junction turn right and keep to the pavement, going past the school entrance and the Sea Scout building.
[10] Just before the bend cross the road and take the footpath off to the left running between the houses. On entering the green area turn right and head towards the road. At the road use the zebra crossing to cross the road. Turn right and then left at the Parish Council building. Continue on the footpath until the childrens play area, turn left and you are back into the car park of the Haydon Centre and the end of your walk.
Cross roads with care and beware of traffic in the Haydon Centre Car Park.
Refreshments and toilets are available in the Haydon Centre.