Tisbury Circular via Hindon walk

The Nadder Valley, picturesque villages, some dry chalky U-shaped downs of the West Wiltshire Downs, wooded ridges and one of Britain’s largest thatched buildings

Descent into the Nadder Valley (with Place Farm) SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon
Descent into the Nadder Valley (with Place Farm)

SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon

Aug-15 • thomasgrabow on Flickr

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Alpacas in Ridge hamlet SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon
Alpacas in Ridge hamlet

SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon

Mar-15 • thomasgrabow on Flickr

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Rolling Hills near Knoyle Corner SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon
Rolling Hills near Knoyle Corner

SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon

Aug-15 • thomasgrabow on Flickr

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Fonthill Estate Entrance Arch (Rear View) SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon
Fonthill Estate Entrance Arch (Rear View)

SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon

Aug-15 • thomasgrabow on Flickr

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Trees, Fonthill House SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon
Trees, Fonthill House

SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon

Aug-15 • thomasgrabow on Flickr

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Often overgrown path in Oddford Vale SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon
Often overgrown path in Oddford Vale

SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon

Aug-15 • thomasgrabow on Flickr

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Oddford Vale (I) SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon
Oddford Vale (I)

SWC Walk 248 Tisbury Circular via Hindon

Aug-15 • thomasgrabow on Flickr

swcwalks swcwalk248 20764210880

Length 21.9 km (13.6 mi), with 428m ascent/descent. For a shorter or longer walk see below Walk Options.
Toughness 6 out of 10, with 5 hours 10 minutes walking time. For the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 10 hours.
Walk Notes 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.
Walk Options A westerly extension via East Knoyle adds 5.7 km (3.6 mi), 2.1 km to the tarmac count and 92m ascent/descent (8/10).
Shortcut I just after lunch reduces the walk by 1.8 km (1.1 mi), but adds 0.4 km to the tarmac count.
Shortcut II at the end reduces the walk by 1.3 km (0.8 mi) but adds 0.4 km to the tarmac count.

Maps

OS Explorer: 118 (Shaftesbury & Cranborne Chase) and 143 (Warminster & Trowbridge)
OS Landranger: 184 (Salisbury & The Plain) and – only for the extension via East Knoyle – 183 (Yeovil & Frome)

Travel

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.

Lunch

Pythouse Kitchen Garden Cafe West Hatch, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6PA (01747 870 444). The Pythouse is about 700m off-route and located 5.2 km (3.2 mi) into the walk.
The Fox & Hounds The Green, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, SP3 6BN (01747 830 573). The Fox & Hounds is located 9.8 km (6.1 mi) into the extended walk.
The Grosvenor Arms High Street, Hindon, Wiltshire, SP3 6DJ (01747 820 696). The Grosvenor Arms is located 10.4 km (6.4 mi) into the walk and 16.1 km into the extended walk.
The Lamb High Street, Hindon, Wiltshire, SP3 6DP (01747 820 573). The Lamb is located 10.4 km (6.4 mi) into the walk and 16.1 km into the extended walk.
The Beckford Arms Fonthill Gifford, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6PX (01747 870 385). The Beckford Arms is a late lunch option if taking Shortcut I and is then located 15.1 km (9.4 mi) into the walk.

Tea

The Beckford Arms Fonthill Gifford, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6PX (01747 870 385). The Beckford Arms is located 4.9 km (3.0 mi) from the end of the walk if taking Shortcut I, and 3.6 km if also taking Shortcut II.

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 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Version

Apr-22 Thomas G

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Walk Directions

Full directions for this walk are in a PDF file (link above) which you can print, or download on to a Kindle, tablet, or smartphone.

This is just the introduction. This walk's detailed directions are in a PDF available from wwww.walkingclub.org.uk