Description:
This 8 mile (12.8km) walk from the Silver Plough in Pitton goes through Houndwood to reach Bentley Wood. It returns to Pitton along the edge of arable fields.
Walk Grade:
Easy
Distance:
8 miles / 12.8km
Time:
2.45 to 3.15 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 for 250 metres to a six-way junction of footpaths. 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, but rather than damage crops stay on the track until reaching the edge of Bentley Wood (Grid Ref: SU 749310), enter the trees and immediately turn left along a well used path besides the edge of the wood.
After 175 metres turn right to enter Bentley Wood (Grid Ref: SU249312) and go through Three Sisters Copse. After 330 metres the path, meets a forestry track (Grid Ref: SU252313) turn right and follow this gravel track heading south through the woods. Ignore a track on the right and continue on to pass Hooping Oak Copse. At a five-way junction of tracks (Grid Ref: SU254307) take the route heading south and stay with this track for 1km until it reaches a crossing of gravel tracks (Grid Ref: SU248300).
Turn left heading in a south-easterly direction. After 225 metres at a crossing of paths (Grid Ref: SU250298) turn right and head through Coal Pit 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).
Take the footpath opposite running 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) into another arable field and goes diagonally to another stile (Grid Ref: SU217307). Continue along with a hedge to the left and in the next field a hedge to 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, turn left and go through a gate to take the path back to Pitton and your starting point at the Silver Plough.
Toilets:
There are no public toilets.
Toilets are available in the pubs on this route during opening hours.
Refreshments:
Pitton: The Silver Plough, Pitton Stores
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.