Travel Directions The Brails (formerly known as Copse Wood) is located between Hungerford and Marlborough. It will be signed from the A338 between East Grafton and Shalbourne. Parking is at Hillbarn Farm approx 600m east of Wilton Windmill. Grid Reference SU 282 618. The nearest postcode is SN8 3SW. (What3Words:
conforms.helpless.animals).
Car Share
The Car Sharing Scheme is available on the signup page where you will find full details about how it works.
Parking
Parking will be on hard standing or along the track heading towards the Start, but is limited. Please park sensibly and do not obstruct access. It would be appreciated if you could car share where possible and avoid using large vehicles such as campervans.
Overflow parking will be vergeside on the minor road between Wilton Windmill and Assembly or at the windmill carpark (approx. 700m away) if verges are too wet.
The Start and Finish are a short walk from Assembly and those parked vergeside must take care on the short road walk and follow the signs to the Start via Assembly.
Please follow the guidance from the marshals.
Start Times
Start times: 11:00 - 12:00
Courses close: 14:00
Assembly/Download is approx. 500m from Start and Finish.
Facilities
No toilet facilities are providedFirst Aid kit available
Entry
On-line entry only - standard entry closes at 23.59 on 01-02-2026.
THERE WILL BE NO ENTRY ON DAY
You can amend your entry to change course until 23:59 on 01-02-2026 if maps are still available for the course you want to change to.If you have entered as a Senior Novice (O/Y) please do not change to one of the more difficult courses as the fees are higher.Late entries may be available while map stocks last until 23:59 on 05-02-2026, but will incur an additional fee of £2 on all courses.
Refund Policy
You may withdraw from the event up until 23:59 on 01-02-2026 Your entry fee will be held as a credit to be redeemed when you next enter an NWO event.
Timing System
The timing system being used is SportIdent (SI).
Controls will be SIAC enabled for those with compatible dibbers (unless otherwise notified on the day of the event). Hire dibbers will be SI-Card 8 (non-SIAC).
Competitors with their own SI Dibber can proceed directly to the startHire dibbers can be picked up from the table next to downloadIt will be a punching START and FINISH for all competitors.
Map
Scale 1:10,000, 5m contours. The map has recently been fully updated by The MapWorks for this event and the area renamed "The Brails".
Overprinted with course on waterproof paper with control descriptions on the front. Yellow and Orange courses will have written descriptions; Green and Blue courses have pictorial descriptions. Loose control descriptions for all courses will be available at the start.
Terrain
Mature broad leaved woodland with open areas and some conifer plantations. Some areas have dense bramble cover. Courses have been planned to avoid the worst of this. However, full leg cover and gaiters are recommended.
Timber stacks may be present and must not be climbed on.
Cultivated fields are out-of-bounds apart from the marked grass verges and public footpath.
Results Results, Splits and Routegadget will be available on the
North Wiltshire Orienteers website as soon as practicable after the event
Clothing and equipment
Full leg cover MUST be worn. Whistles MUST be carried and will be checked at the start.In adverse weather we may ask you to wear a cagoule or similar waterproof top
Bio-security
Please come to the event with clean and dry shoes and clothing. Before leaving the event check your clothing and equipment and remove any mud, soil or leaf litter. Once home thoroughly clean your footwear and clothing and leave it to dry for as long as possible. Please take home any litter with you.
Dogs
Dogs permitted on a leash.
Hazards The minor road is marked as out-of-bounds apart from crossing points.
Please be aware of the risk of ticks and
Lyme disease. Ticks are active above 3°C and can survive sub-zero temperatures so there is no 'off-season' for them!
Safety
All competitors MUST report to Download even if retiring from the event. Lone competitors are recommended to leave car keys at Information/Download.Participants to bring their own water and ensure adequate hydration pre and post event. Hand sanitisers will be available; however, we encourage participants to bring their own.Orienteering is a physically challenging sport, and competitors take part at their own risk.The nearest A&E Hospital is at Swindon Great Western Hospital SN3 6BB.
Insurance
PLEASE NOTE: As of January 2026 participants who are not members of British Orienteering are no longer covered by British Orienteering’s public liability insurance. By entering this event as a non-member, you acknowledge that you are taking part at your own risk. For example, if you were to accidentally injure a member of the public or damage property during the event, you would not be covered. Please make sure that you have renewed your membership or consider joining if you are not already a member. Non-members will still be charged a supplement to cover increased levies payable by NWO.
Medical Conditions If you have a high risk medical condition you want the organisers to be aware of please download and complete
this form and place it in a sealed envelope with your name on it. This can be left at registration. Envelopes will only be opened if required for a medical emergency. Unopened envelopes should be collected after the event. Any unclaimed envelopes will be destroyed after the event.
Event Officials Organiser:
Andrew Law (NWO)
Planner: Thomas Down (NWO)
Controller: John Orton (NWO)
Personal Information
The personal data you give when you enter will be used by the event organisers and their agents, but only for the purpose of processing/publishing entries/results, conducting safety checks and as required by our insurers to validate our cover and managed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Cancellation Policy
NWO will make every effort to ensure the event goes ahead as planned. However, should the event be cancelled, NWO reserves the right to retain part of the advance entry fees to meet costs already incurred or committed.