Description:
This 14.5 mile (23.3km) circular walk from the Silver Plough in Pitton goes through attractive woodland to reach West Tytherley. It then heads to Broughton Down with cracking views and follows tracks and paths to Winterslow. From there it heads across Pitton Down on the Clarendon Way to return to the start point.
Walk Grade:
Moderate
Distance:
14.5 miles / 23.3km
Time:
5.5 to 6 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 Routes:
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). 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 past Norman Court Stud and continue along the driveway to reach enter West Tytherley at North Lane. (Grid Ref: SU275302).
Turn right along North Lane for 100 metres and then take the next left to head up Chalk Pit Lane (Grid Ref: SU275301). [If planning to visit the Community Shop or the Black Horse public house continue along North Lane for another 100 metres.]
Chalk Pit Lane heads steadily uphill to pass an old chalk pit. Keep with the lane as it sweeps to the left (Grid Ref: SU280302) to head north passing a cottage. Continue along the footpath as it heads into trees. On reaching Stony Batter Lane (Grid Ref: SU285312) turn left and follow the road for 350 metres to a T-junction (Grid Ref: SU286315). Continue straight on along a hedge lined path.
After 725 metres this path crosses the route of the Clarendon Way footpath (Grid Ref: SU287322), continue straight on and pass the entrance to Broughton Down Nature Reserve. The path soon starts to descend. At a junction of tracks (Grid Ref: SU289333) take the hedge lined track on the left. After 1.3km this track reaches a minor road (Grid Ref: SU284346) turn left, look for a trig point tucked inside the hedge 600 metres along the lane (Grid Ref: SU278345).
Continue along the road for a further 800 metres, as the road bends to the left (Grid Ref: SU270343) take a footpath on the right leading down along a track. After 300 metres leave the track to take a footpath on the left which crosses a stile (Grid Ref: SU269345). Head steadily uphill through fields to reach Ashley’s Copse (Grid Ref: SU260345).
The footpath crosses a stile to enter the edge of Ashley’s Copse and continues besides the trees to pass Howe Copse and reach the driveway to Ramshill House (Grid Ref: SU254334). Here the path divides, take the right fork to head besides arable fields to reach the outskirts of Middle Winterslow and cross a road (Grid Ref: SU249329) to join a fenced path going between houses.
On reaching an unmade lane (Grid Ref: SU249328) turn right and continue along this track. Where the track divides (Grid Ref: SU247329) take a footpath through a kissing gate to cross a field of pasture in a westerly direction. Go through another kissing gate (Grid Ref: SU244329) and cross the track to take a footpath between houses on an estate and follow this downhill to reach a road (Grid Ref: SU243326). Turn right and then quickly left to follow a tarmac path behind houses and the village hall.
This path leads through the village to emerge close to the Lord Nelson pub (Grid Ref: SU237329). [To visit the Winterslow Central Store turn right here and follow the road for a short distance.] Turn left and pass the village school then go through a gate (Grid Ref: SU 237327) to diagonally cross the playing field. Go through a kissing gate (Grid Ref: SU235327) and then walk on the clear path through arable fields, ignore the first kissing gate on the left and continue uphill for a further 200 metres to reach a another kissing gate (Grid Ref: SU 230325). Walk diagonally across the pasture to reach a kissing gate besides All Saints Church.
At the church the path joins the route of the Clarendon Way and follow this across the road (Grid Ref: SU 229324) crossing with care, it is on the brow of a hill. After crossing the road join a track and within a few metres fork right to join the waymarkerd footpath running besides a barn and farm house. Now follow the Clarendon Way as it heads along the edge of the downland. A footpath leads to the right over a stile, ignore this and stay on the permitted path along the edge of the field.
On reaching a track (Grid Ref: SU219318) turn right and head downhill. Leave this track on reaching a bridleway on the left (Grid Ref: SU216316), continue along the bridleway to reach the Pitton and follow The Green to return to 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
West Tytherley: The Black Horse, West Tytherley Village Shop
Winterslow: The Lord Nelson Arms, Winterslow Central 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.