cheap Advance Tickets still available

11 people lined up on the platform, incl. - a first I think - one who was going to run the route (and stop at all 3 pubs en route). 1 walked anti-clockwise, the rest clockwise.

The usual white, yellow and blue spring flowers were in attendance, plus lots of wild garlic. The flowers were most impressive on the long descent from the Salisbury Ox Drove, where they lined the steep earthbanks on either side of the track. Then there were carpets of bluebells later in the hanging woods around Castle Ditches hillfort.

The scenery is almost second to none in Southern Britain, although the far views were a bit hazy today.

The 4 pub stoppers amongst the walkers had a longish stay (the often grumpy landlord was quite chatty), so much so that we never saw the picnickers again (they must have gotten the 6 o'clock train). A large nursery pasture was quite impressive, with at least 100 lambs (and mother sheep) in it.

We bumped into the runner in Tisbury, who took the 7 o'clock train, with 4 of us currently on the 8 o'clock one. A very fine day out. sunny with a breeze on the tops

Any thoughts on the chances of lunch at the Ebbesbourne pub? Cheers.

It's a small pub, but with some outdoor tables, and we'll get there for about 13.30. I have not booked a table.

13 walkers, incl. a first-timer (courtesy of Ibex Walking Club), in perfect walking weather, namely sunny with a light breeze .

It's nothing new that I am a great fan of Tisbury and Surrounds, but I think it's fair to say that today no one had a bad word to say about the walk, the route, the scenery, the company, the fine far views (Salisbury Cathedral's spire from a couple of spots, Bournemouth/Purbeck Hills/IoW from the Ox Drove, plenty of very scenic Downs elsewhere), or the lunch stop The Horseshoe Inn, who have made really good use of their large garden to be Covid-secure, and presented us with fine food and beer.

Admittedly, there were two diffcult arable fields to negotiate (one with massive root vegetables [Swedes?] without any path, ie an ankle breaker, the other corn/maize with only the faintest of paths initially, then none), but that were the negatives, as far as I can see. Even the trains ran on time...

Most of the fast group had a drink at The Bennet, about 8 in total bought nourishment from the chippie. 8 on the 19.03, the rest on the 20.01.

Trainline currently says the train gets in at 11.23, with a Salisbury change (20 minutes).

So it does. Same on the rtn, and with a train only every 2 hours. Will have to choose a different walk, sad as it is.

Sadly, the Boot Inn & Beckford Bottle Shop are both closed on Sunday evenings. However the Benett Arms (no food) will be open, as will be the Co-op to stock up on supplies for the long train journey home.

For those travelling from Victoria (changing at Clapham Junction), note that the ticket machines at this station last year did not offer the lowest-priced super off-peak fares for journeys on South Western Railways. I don't know if this has been fixed, but it might be prudent to book tickets online to collect from the machines (which gets round this problem) or to allow time to queue at the ticket office.

7 sunny warm a light breeze

7 off the train at Tisbury. 4 of us took the clockwise route, while 3 opted to test their navigational skills. We bid them a tearful goodbye as it was possible we might never see them again.

Wiltshire put on a good show and the countryside was awash with cow parsley, buttercups, dandelion clocks (I've never seen so many), hawthorn blossoms, many other flowers and can't name, and the last of the bluebells towards the end of the walk, some still looking quite good. Oh, and nettles. Yes, there were some of those.

3 picnicked on Sutton Down and enjoyed the views. One kept going to the Horseshoes Inn where the 3 picnickers caught up with him later. The pub was very welcoming, the food reported as being good, and unprompted offers to fill our water bottles (even with ice, if wanted) was a nice touch. One of the navigators caught us as we left, having taken the shortcut. So, she made it? But what of the others?

2 continued on for the full walk, 2 the shorter option. On the full walk, we crossed paths with the other two navigators. Phew! They made it. On us 2 went, stopping for refreshment at the Royal Oak and not long after catching up with the 2 short-cutters and making it back for the 19:05 back to London. Though time was tight, some had the energy to run to the Co-Op and back for refreshments.

A lovely day out. And having done it both ways, it is equally nice in either direction. Great views.

I should add, that all 7 made it for the same train back.

I don't often leave comments but this is one of my favourite walks completed with a lovely companion on a bright sunny day. With amazing open views, secret valley's, steep climbs and the sound of the birds and the bees (and the odd baaaa!) you really feel you have gone backwards in time. I have never seen such an abundance of frothy white hawthorn but be warned..... as Karen mentions.......there are a few patches of nettles to be negotiated but do not detract from the walk in the slightest.

11 sunny a little cloud in afternoon

11 walkers: 2 on train an hour earlier to walk the full walk following new clockwise directions. 8 off the posted train, with 1 checking the new clockwise directions on the shorter route. 1 regular SWCer joined from visiting friends in the area and arriving before the posted train, set out on the shorter route.

Us two off the early train had a picnic up on Sutton Down with views down to the Fovant Badges and the spectacle of a local drag-hunt to entertain us. Stopped for refreshments at The Horseshoe Inn, hoping to bump into the group walking the shorter route. Thomas, checking his new clockwise directions, arrived not long after us and ordered lunch. We had to continue on before the group arrived, as we had more ground to cover. Word reached us later in the day that the pub landlord got a bit antsy when the group did not show up on time and not all at once. Last food orders time was a strict 1:45 and one walker had to make do with a scotch egg. Those who were lucky enough to get food, reported it as being fine.

Both in the morning and the afternoon, plenty of fine views. Having done this walk a couple of times as per the original directions, it was interesting to walk it in reverse and enjoy the views from a different perspective. Quite a few muddy field crossings slowed everyone down a bit, but the sunshine almost all day helped keep spirits high. A bit of a squeeze trying to get the full walk done at this time of the year maybe, so look forward to coming back when the days are longer. In particular to enjoy some refreshments at The Royal Oak about an hour before the walk's end (on new, clock-wise routing). For research purposes, we managed a swift drink, and the service and attitude of the gentleman behind the bar couldn't have been more of a contrast to the lunchtime experience.

All 11 on the 18:01 back to London. A few newbies to the Tisbury area and they all enjoyed the walk and landscape and might be tempted back...