Description:
This 9.1 mile (14.7km) circular walk from Alderbury follows sections of the disused Salisbury and Dorset Junction Railway and visits Trafalgar Park, the home of Lord Nelson’s family before crossing Barford Down. There are cracking 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:
9.1 miles / 14.7 km
Time:
3 / 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:
Leave the car park and turn right along Rectory Lane to reach a junction of tracks, here turn left and soon pass Rectory Farm before continuing to a fork in the footpath to go right across the southern edge of meadows. The path continues besides trees to reach a junction of footpaths, turn right and follow the fence lined route passing Matrons College Farm and then across a disused railway line (Grid Ref: SU196259).
The route is now a clear path between arable fields to a junction of paths (Grid Ref: SU197253], turn right and follow the hedge line and then cross the disused railway line again (Grid Ref: SU194253), turn left to walk besides the railway cutting for 1.4km to reach Four Gates (Grid Ref: SU195239), after going through a gate turn right along the minor road. At a junction with Witherington Road turn right going downhill towards Standlynch Farm, after 500 metres take a footpath on the left that heads into woodland (Grid Ref: SU190240).
On reaching a gate go through and cross the field to the gate opposite to follow a track through woods. Stay with this path until reaching a concrete path, here turn left to pass the to the now disused St Mary’s and All Angels Church and continue along the track reaching a minor road (Grid Ref: SU185234). Turn right and walk along the road with a brick wall to the right. After 550 metres, as the road bends to the right, take a bridleway on the left into the trees at the base of Barford Cliff (Grid Ref: SU188229).
Follow the bridleway through the trees for 400 metres to join a minor road, go straight on following the road under a railway bridge and then turn right along a footpath going uphill (Grid Ref: SU194289). After 450 metres at a crossing of paths turn left taking a path across an arable field to reach a kissing gate. Go through the gate and follow the path along the edge of a field with a hedge to the right. The path steadily descends to a kissing gate (Grid Ref: SU203230).
Turn right climbing uphill besides Langford Lane Wood to reach a crossing of paths (Grid Ref: SU207229), turn left and follow the broad track into Cheyney’s Wood. At a junction of tracks close to Privett Farm turn left and follow a 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, here turn right going north on a path between fields to head back towards Whaddon on the outward route. 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 our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 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.