Ascent/Descent:
465 m
Net
Walking Time: ca. 5 hours
Toughness:
7 out of 10
[Sunset
out there in the west will be at 16.05, giving sufficient light for walking
to 16.30 at least. With a short lunch therefore, it shouldn’t be a problem. But
the walk can be cut by 3 km in the p.m., should you fall behind schedule.]
Take
the 09.20 Exeter St. David's & Bristol Temple Meads train from
Waterloo (09.27 Clapham J., 09.46 Woking), arriving Tisbury at 11.06.
Return trains: 17.01, 18.01, 18.27, 19.03, 20.01, 21.01, 22.03.
This walk leads mostly around the very large Fonthill Estate in the West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is spectacular walking country with some breath-taking views. You’ll find picturesque villages and excellent pubs in the beautiful undulating countryside, as well as plenty of woodlands and some dry chalky U-shaped downland valleys. The morning route is a steady ascent out of Tisbury along the scenic Oddford Vale to the highest point of the walk. This stretch is also characterised by some slack way-marking though, and a map and a compass are recommended.
The walk then leads through a grassy valley and across a wooded ridge to lunch in Hindon, where the two recommended pubs are right opposite each other. Most of the ascent lies before lunch, but there are still two climbs through woods in the afternoon. The final part of the walk is a scenic descent into the Nadder Valley and then passes one of Britain’s largest thatched buildings, followed by a stretch along the river back into Tisbury, a remarkably unspoilt village.
Return trains: 17.01, 18.01, 18.27, 19.03, 20.01, 21.01, 22.03.
This walk leads mostly around the very large Fonthill Estate in the West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is spectacular walking country with some breath-taking views. You’ll find picturesque villages and excellent pubs in the beautiful undulating countryside, as well as plenty of woodlands and some dry chalky U-shaped downland valleys. The morning route is a steady ascent out of Tisbury along the scenic Oddford Vale to the highest point of the walk. This stretch is also characterised by some slack way-marking though, and a map and a compass are recommended.
The walk then leads through a grassy valley and across a wooded ridge to lunch in Hindon, where the two recommended pubs are right opposite each other. Most of the ascent lies before lunch, but there are still two climbs through woods in the afternoon. The final part of the walk is a scenic descent into the Nadder Valley and then passes one of Britain’s largest thatched buildings, followed by a stretch along the river back into Tisbury, a remarkably unspoilt village.
Shortcut
I just after lunch
reduces the walk by 1.8 km (1.1 mi), Shortcut II at the end reduces the
walk by 1.3 km (0.8 mi) (and the last 10 mins of walking would then be along
residential roads).
For
walk directions, a map, a height profile, gpx/kml files,
and photos click here.
Lunch:
The Angel Inn (under new management and
re-opened 18 Nov) or The Lamb in
Hindon (10.4 km/6.4 mi, food to 15.00).
There are several other good pubs en route in the afternoon, see the webpage or the pdf for details.
There are several other good pubs en route in the afternoon, see the webpage or the pdf for details.
Tea: Tisbury has a
tearoom, a deli, a supermarket, two pubs (one may be shut for the afternoon
when you get there) and a bistro/wine bar. See the webpage or the pdf for
details. T=swc.248
1 comment:
n=8 off a packed train (6 carriages instead of the usual 9) in w=dry-cold-with-short-sunny-breaks weather.
The mud wasn't as bad as feared, although there was one farm track crossing where the 'leader' was in it ankle-deep, the kind of stuff where you sometimes read people loose their boots, but he could warn the others and they then skirted it. The cold crisp air made for fine far views over the enchanting landscape of rolling downs, the leaf colour was still ok, sheep and dairy cows were in attendance, some quite cute.
We got to Hindon around 13.25 and chose the newly taken over (and renamed) Grosvenor Arms (the ex-Angel Inn), which - some teething problems aside - was a very pleasant experience: friendly staff, ambitious food menu, tasty fare and very sympathetically refurbished premises.
There was some bolshy talk about people definitely taking the afternoon shortcuts, because: Who'd want to finish in darkness?, but when it came to the decision point for Shortcut I, all turned left to follow the main route. Darkness really only hit at 16.40, by which time we were starting the final descent into the Nadder Valley, with Messums Gallery in full light guiding us down, who were preparing for an evening dinner reception.
We crossed the Nadder by Tisbury Mill in the glow of headtorches, startling the resident dog, and then saw the delayed 17.02 train leaving. But The Bennet pub was the aim anyway, where we met the two that had taken Shortcut II. The Co-op then provided some supplies for the 18.01 train.
A fine day out in very fine company.
Post a Comment