Description:
This 9.9 mile (15.9km) circular walk from Alderbury follows sections of the disused Salisbury and Dorset Junction Railway crosses Barford Down. There are attractive downland views around this walk. A short section of this walk is on a minor road, which is not devoid of traffic so care needs to be taken.
Walk Grade:
Easy/Moderate
Distance:
9.9 miles / 15.9km
Time:
3.5 / 4 hours
Parking:
This walks starts from the car park besides the village hall and recreation playing field in Rectory Road, Alderbury (SP5 3BJ) (Grid Ref: SU191267). Please check there are no functions on before leaving your vehicle.
Walk Route
Leaving the car park join the Southampton Road and turn left to head past the village sign. On reaching Lights Lane turn left and follow this minor road uphill to join School Hill. After passing the old School Building turn left onto a track, Old Vicarage Lane (Grid Ref: SU183268). Follow this track to the junction with Witherington Road and turn left (Grid Ref: SU181263).
Stay on the road to pass Alderbury Farm, after 800 metres take a bridleway on the left (Grid Ref: SU183256). Walk besides Treasurer’s Dean Wood and stay with the bridleway as it turns right going through trees and around a reservoir and then emerges from the trees. Continue on the path along the edge of the field to the north eastern corner and turn right to follow a path along the edge of the field (Grid Ref: SU194253).
The route now follows alongside the disused Salisbury and Dorset Junction Railway for 1.5km to reach Four Gates (Grid Ref: SU194239). After passing through a gate turn left to cross the railway line, then turn right and follow a bridleway for 1.1km, with the disused railway line to the right, to reach a minor road besides a railway bridge (Grid Ref: SU194228).
After crossing the road continue on a broad uphill track. At a junction of paths continue straight on and descend to a tarmac lane, Muddyford Road (Grid Ref: SU197221). Turn left and walk up Barford Down on a farm track to a junction of paths (Grid Ref: SU197224). Here turn right to go through a kissing gate and follow the path along the edge of a field. The path steadily descends to a kissing gate and then on to a junction of paths (Grid Ref: SU203230).
Turn right and head steadily uphill besides Langford Lane Wood. At a crossing of paths (Grid Ref: SU207230) continue straight on and pass woodland to reach a junction of tracks and turn left and follow a path heading north besides Long Copse. The footpath continues into Battscroft Copse. At a crossing of paths turn left (Grid Ref: SU215239) and head towards Privett Farm. After passing the farm continue straight on at a crossing of paths (Grid Ref: SU297239).
Follow the stony farm track that soon leads downhill to reach a junction with a minor road (Grid Ref: SU200239). Turn right to take a track heading north below Witherington Down. The path ascends gradually towards the A36. At a junction of paths, before the main road, turn left (Grid Ref: SU204250).
The path now descends besides the edge of a field for 750 metres to a junction of paths (Grid Ref: SU197253). Turn right going north on a path between fields to head towards Whaddon. Cross the disused railway line and pass Matrons College Farm. Ignore the footpath on the left and continue to a track, Castle Lane. At a junction of unmade roads turn left still on Castle Lane and stay with this track as it continues to the Southampton Road. Here turn left and follow the pavement back to the starting point at the Village Hall car park.
Toilets:
There are no public toilets.
Refreshments:
Alderbury: The Village Post Office
To download GPX and print map click “Learn More” below:
To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps OL130 Salisbury & Stonehenge and OL131 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. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.