Description:
This 11.3 mile (18.2km) circular walk from Pitton goes through the attractive Bentley Woods and passes Norman Court to reach West Tytherley. The route returns through another section of Bentley Woods. Short sections of this walk are on minor roads which are not devoid of traffic so care needs to be taken.
Walk Grade:
Easy/Moderate
Distance:
11.3 miles / 18.2 km
Time:
4 / 4.5 hours
Parking:
This walk starts from the Silver Plough public house in Pitton (SP5 1DU) (Grid Ref: SU212312). Please only use the pub car park if you intend to stop for refreshments before or after your walk.
Walk Route:
Leave the Silver Plough car park and turn left and then immediately left along The Green. After 100 metres ignore a footpath on the right and continue along the lane for a further 160 metres to reach a second footpath on the right (Grid Ref: SU213314) turn here to head uphill leaving Pitton.
After going through a kissing gate at the top of the hill continue past paddocks and through two more gates to follow the footpath into Church Copse (Grid Ref: SU221307).
When the footpath joins a forestry track (Grid Ref: SU223302) turn right and follow it to a six-way junction of footpaths (Grid Ref: SU224300). Turn left and follow the forestry track passing a metal gate and then continuing straight on along the track for 1.7km, ignoring footpaths to the right and left, to reach a metal gate (Grid Ref: SU238308). The track now becomes a path and skirts a house, The Shooting Box, to join Livery Road (Grid Ref: SU240309).
At the road turn left and then after 50 metres turn right along the footpath heading uphill on a farm track. At the top of the hill continue straight on at a crossing of paths (Grid Ref: SU243311) to follow the track heading towards Bentley Wood. As the track bends to the right (Grid Ref: SU246312) the footpath crosses an arable field to enter Bentley Wood (Grid Ref: SU249312) and goes through Three Sisters Copse.
There are a network of paths and tracks within Bentley Wood, but the route is a straight line for 1km through the trees to reach West Dean Road (Grid Ref: SU259315). Cross the lane and enter woodland on the opposite side and follow the way-markers through the trees to reach an arable field where the path heads diagonally to the top corner and over a stile (Grid Ref: SU263311) into a field that is part of the grounds of Norman Court.
The footpath gives directions through the grounds to the entrance driveway, (Grid Ref: SU266309). Follow this for 450 metres until reaching the entrance of Norman Court Stud, here there is a fork in the drive (Grid Ref SU270307) go right. There is a gate across the driveway but access to the path is to the right of the gate. Following the path passing Norman Court Stud and continue along the driveway to enter West Tytherley at North Lane (Grid Ref: SU275302).
Turn right along the lane and walk through the village passing the community shop and the Black Horse pub. Just after passing the village school turn left into Church Lane (Grid Ref: SU274298) then after passing the church follow the road south to join Red Lane. Stay with this lane as it forks to the right at a junction with Pug’s Hole (Grid Ref: SU274295).
After 600 metres at a junction with Frenchmoor Lane turn right, still on Red Lane and follow this to junction with Dean Road (Grid Ref: SU268290). Turn left into Dean Road and after 100 metres take a footpath on the right leading into woodland. Stay with the way marked path for 550 metres to reach a road, Scouts Lane, cross and take the track opposite into Bentley Wood (Grid Ref: SU264292).
Stay on this track passing a car park in the woods. At the next track on the right, which is blocked to vehicles, leave the main track (Grid Ref: SU256291). Now gradually ascend through the woods. There is a network of paths and tracks in these woods but stick with the main track as it sweeps to the left through Redridge Copse to reach a forestry track (Grid Ref: SU251295). Turn right and follow the track for 350 metres to reach a crossing of forestry tracks (Grid Ref: SU250298). Here turn left and walk through Coalpits Copse.
After 800 metres at a junction of tracks (Grid Ref: SU243297) continue straight on to reach the Livery Gate (Grid Ref: SU239296). Continue down to the road and turn right to pass the houses of the Livery and take a bridleway on the left (Grid Ref: SU238298) leading through the edge of the farmyard. After 125 metres pass through a wooden gate to follow a hedged path to a junction (Grid Ref: SU233297) turn right along the track for 50 metres then take a footpath on the left (Grid Ref: SU233298).
Follow this footpath along the edge of an arable field to cross a junction of paths and continue in a westerly direction along the edge of arable fields. On reaching a gap at the corner of the field go through the hedge line to return to the junction of six paths (Grid Ref: SU224300).
Here take the footpath opposite that runs along the edge of the field besides Church Copse. After 450 metres the way-marked path enters the woodland (Grid Ref: SU220302) and then emerges into a clearing besides a new plantation. Keep on the path to go through a disused pit and then into an arable field.
The path reaches a stile (Grid Ref: SU217305), enter another arable field and cross diagonally to another stile (Grid Ref: SU217307). Continue along a path with a hedge to the left and on entering another field continue with the hedge now on the right to enter a hedge lined path to reach stables (Grid Ref: SU214310).
Turn right and go along the track for 200 metres to reach a crossing of paths (Grid Ref: SU216311), turn left and go through a gate to take the path back to Pitton and the starting point at the Silver Plough.
Toilets:
There are no public toilets.
Toilets are available in the pub on this route during opening hours.
Refreshments:
Pitton: The Silver Plough, Pitton Stores
West Tytherley; The Black Horse, West Tytherley Village Shop
To download GPX and print map click “Learn More” below:
To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Explorer Map 131 – Romsey, Andover & Test Valley.
Additional Information:
A narrative of this walk with pictures, historical information and points of interest can be viewed on my associated Two Dogs and an Awning website.
© Walking Moonraker (2023)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.