Tisbury Circular via Donhead St. Andrew walk

This walk explores the Upper Nadder Valley (also known as the Vale of Wardour) in the south westerly parts of the West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is spectacular walking country with some breath-taking open vistas in a varied landscape. The route heads west from Tisbury along the Nadder Valley and through Wardour Park with its large mansion. After lunch at an award-winning gastro pub in Donhead St. Andrew, a series of ascents through some large estates and several woods take you all the way to the Nadder Head in another large country estate. Looping back, the route passes a Neolithic hill fort site on a ridge right on the boundary with Dorset, with occasional views through trees to surrounding steep downs.
An exhilarating descent and an equally exhilarating route through the wooded Barkers Hill lead back down to the Nadder. The return route then leads right past the romantically ruined 14th century Old Wardour Castle and through High Wood back into Tisbury, a remarkably unspoilt village.

OS Explorer: 118 (Shaftesbury & Cranborne Chase)
OS Landranger: 184 (Salisbury & The Plain)

Tisbury Station, map reference ST 945 290, is 20 km west of Salisbury, 145 km south west of Charing Cross, 94m above sea level and in Wiltshire. It is on the London Waterloo to Exeter St. Davids West of England Main Line. Journey times are 106 minutes Monday to Saturday (hourly) and 114 minutes on Sunday (hourly).

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take the train closest to 9.20 hours.

The Forester Lower Street, Donhead St. Andrew, Shaftesbury, Wiltshire, SP7 9EE (01747 828 038). The Forester Inn is located 7.0 km (4.3 mi) into the walk. Originally called "The New Inn", The Forester has been a public house since the 15th century and is housed in an old thatched building made from greensand stone with a large inglenook fireplace and original beamed ceilings. It has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award for 2013 and every year since.

Plenty of options in Tisbury. See the Walk Directions pdf for details.

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Start SP3 6JT Map Directions

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Apr-22 Thomas G