Description:
This 16.8 miles (27km) circular walk from the Silver Plough, Pitton passing through Farley and East Grimstead before climbing to Pepperbox Hill to visit Eyre’s Folly. It then goes along Dean Hill before descending to East Dean and West Dean, passing the stunning Borbach Chantry and heading to Bentley Wood before returning to Pitton.
Walk Grade:
Moderate
Distance:
16.8 miles (27km)
Time:
6- 6.5 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 you 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 and leave 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), here continue straight on along the track to Farley. On reaching a road (Grid Ref: SU225295) turn left and then after 80 metres take a footpath on the right leading over a stile between gardens. After crossing a couple more stiles (Grid Ref: SU226293) turn right along the road and walk 175 metres uphill to the Hook and Glove pub. Opposite the pub (Grid Ref: SU224292) take a footpath heading into Farley Copse and keep straight on through the woods to reach Brown’s Copse.
After crossing a stile (Grid Ref: SU226283) walk through paddocks to reach a road, Long Drove, turn left and after 50 metres take a footpath on the right (Grid Ref: SU227281) to cross a field of pasture and then after crossing a stile enter Bugmore Lane. Turn right and walk up to Grimstead Road (Grid Ref: SU226279). Here turn left and walk down through the village taking the hump back bridge over the River Dun and then passing the attractive Holy Trinity church (Grid Ref: SU224272).
The road now turns sharply to the left but the route continues straight on taking the drove opposite and soon crosses the route of the old Salisbury to Southampton Canal and a railway line. Carry on along the drove for 1.4km to reach a minor road (Grid Ref: SU227259). Turn right and follow the road for 160 metres to reach the junction of two tracks on the left. Take the right fork on the track, this steadily ascends to Pepperbox Hill. On joining another track at the top of the hill (Grid Ref: SU220254) go right and follow the lane along to reach a kissing gate on the left (Grid Ref: SU214250) leading onto the access land around the Pepperbox, which is also known as Eyre’s Folly (Grid Ref: SU212248).
From the folly retrace the route back along the ridge, keeping an eye out for the OS trig point in the field to the right (Grid Ref: SU217252). Keep on the track ignoring the route that led up to the ridge. Continue along Dean Hill, after 4km from the Pepperbox the track reaches a road, Ashmore Lane (Grid Ref: SU249257). Turn left and after 50 metres take a footpath on the right by a metal gate. Now follow this path along the top of Dean Hill above the Royal Naval Armaments Depot Dean Hill.
On reaching Dean Hill Barn (Grid Ref: SU274259) take the footpath on the left which heads down a track to Dean Hill Barn Farm, besides this track in the fence line is an OS Trig Point (Grid Ref: SU277260). Stay on the track going through the farm buildings of Dean Hill Barn Farm to reach a road (Grid Ref: SU279267) turn left to walk along this country lane 1.2km to pass the disused Old Brewers pub then turn right to head down Frenchmoor Lane (Grid Ref: SU268267).
The lane reaches the railway line (Grid Ref: SU267269) cross with care and “Stop, Look, Listen”. Frenchmoor Lane continues on the opposite side of the line and crosses the River Dun, then as it approaches Park Farm follow the lane as it sweeps to the left to continue besides the river (Grid Ref: SU267270) .
As the road bends to the right take a footpath on the left (Grid Ref: SU266271) the path crosses fields to reach a belt of trees where it turns briefly to the left and then to the right to follow a driveway into West Dean. On reaching a road (Grid Ref: SU257273) cross to continue on the footpath as it follows an unmade road, passing houses to reach the entrance to the Borbach Chantry (Grid Ref: SU256274).
Keep on the footpath following waymarkers that initially lead besides a wooden fence and then after crossing a stile (Grid Ref: SU255276) cross fields to reach a stile leading into Bentley Wood (Grid Ref: SU248278). Way-markers indicate the route over fields of pasture to reach the forestry track close to Keepers Cottage (Grid Ref: SU241287). Turn left and after 275 metres take a path on the right to follow a track leading through Barnridge Copse.
On reaching the Livery Gate to Bentley Wood (Grid Ref: SU239296) turn left and walk down to the road. Turn right and follow the road for 160 metres, passing the houses of the Livery, then take a bridleway on the left (Grid Ref: SU238298). This path leads through the edge of the farmyard and passes through a wooden gate to follow a hedged path to a track (Grid Ref: SU233297) turn right and then after 65 metres turn left to follow a footpath along the edge of the field.
Stay on this path as it crosses another footpath and then after going through a gap in the trees join the forestry track at the junction of six paths (Grid Ref: SU224300). Here take the route north along the track after 250 metres take the path on the left sign posted to Pitton (Grid Ref: SU223302) now follow the way markers to return to Pitton and the starting point at the Silver Plough.
Toilets:
There are no public toilets.
Toilets available in the pubs on this route during opening hours.
Refreshments:
Pitton: The Silver Plough, Pitton Stores
Farley: The Hook & Glove
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. 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.