The West Grimstead Walking Group was formed in February 2008 by several villagers who felt they could do with some exercise, but didn’t fancy the gym, a keep-fit class didn’t appeal, and they didn’t care to walk on their own. So they thought it would be a good idea to get together to take some exercise. They do not go in for strenuous hikes, but walks at a steady pace on a regular basis, stopping at a local pub for a drink and something to eat.
The group meets once a month and walks start at West Grimstead Village Hall where everyone meets at 10.00am. Maps and GPS .GPX files for our walks can be found HERE – more are being added all the time!
Our Walking Group welcomes people of surrounding villages to walk with them…
They are great doggie people too – they already have four canine members – so do bring your pooch along, he or she will be very welcome.
If you would like to join any of our walks, – you don’t have to walk every time, just come along when you can – or would like information about the group, please contact Gwynneth Doran (01722 710124) or Janice Ford (01722 710805).
You will be very welcome!
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WALKING GROUP
We thought you might like to see some walks we have done over the years which were all very enjoyable and fun. We’ve included some with photographs for you to see taken by one of our group members – Bob Coates.
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October 2011:
We drove to The Radnor Arms, Nunton. We followed the road through the village turning right on to the footpath which led through the private garden of The Cottage and brought us to St Andrew’s Church. Leaving the churchyard, turned left by Church Cottage and then turned right following the path to Elm Tree Farm. Following the farm track, we reached Elm Farm from where enjoyed lovely views towards St Mary’s Church and the rectory at Odstock. Going through gates, along tracks and crossing stiles, we eventually reached Odstock village. Walking through village and past The Yew Tree Inn, we followed the Salisbury road and, turning right, we came to the A338 where we turned right and right again making our way back to Nunton and a good lunch at the Radnor Arms. We all agreed it had been an enjoyable walk, especially our canine member, Buddy, who enjoyed all the wonderful smells he found. Here we all are outside St Andrew’s Church.
(click on photo to enlarge)
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November 2011:
Parking at the Royal Oak, Great Wishford, we walked towards St Giles’s Church where we stopped to look at the bread stones set in the churchyard wall. These stones chronicle the cost of bread from the Napoleonic wars, when bread was sold by the gallon, to the year 2000. Proceeding down the road out of the village, we came to the A36 which we crossed and followed the footpath up into trees coming out into open fields. Our route took us to Asserton Farm and, walking through the farmyard, we follow the track to Berwick St James where we encountered the River Till which we followed to Stapleford. Regaining the A36, we crossed over and returned to Great Wishford and lunch at The Royal Oak. We enjoyed the walk during which we saw red kites, swans and a heron.
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December 2011:
Walking up West Grimstead’s Windwhistle Lane, we crossed the A36 and followed the track over Witherington Down, going through woodland and coming out on to Barford Down from where we came down into Redlynch where we enjoyed a pleasant lunch at The King’s Head. Our return journey took us from Redlynch, through Landford Lane Wood and Cheyney’s Wood, and over Standlynch Down rejoining the track to the A36. Crossing over, we made our way down Windwhistle Lane back to West Grimstead. Everyone enjoyed the walk including our canine members, Buddy and Megan, who found many good smells to investigate. Here we are taking a breather on the downs.
(Click on photo to enlarge.)
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January 2012:
Leaving the car park of The Parish Lantern, Whiteparish, we crossed the A27 and followed the track uphill past a pond and through a 5-barred gate into a field. Continuing uphill towards a farm, we passed the time of day with some of the farm staff on their quad bikes. Leaving the farmyard, we entered Mean Wood coming out into a field which we walked alongside noticing pill boxes which we assumed were to protect the military installation at West Dean during WW11. Our route took us through woodland from which we emerged on to the hillside at the rear of Dean Hill Business Park giving magnificent views over West Dean and the surrounding countryside. We continued past West Dean House and Dean Hill Farm, arriving at Alderston Farm. Passing through the farmyard, we gained our original track and followed it downhill and back to The Parish Lantern for an excellent lunch. Here we are up on Dean Hill.
(click on photo to enlarge)
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February 2012:
We parked at Old Sarum and walked around its base to the Woodford Road which we crossed. Following the footpath across the field and uphill, we came to woodland which we went through. At Salterton Farm, we joined the Monarch’s Way and, crossing the road, following the footpath into Lower Woodford passing The Wheatsheaf Inn. Leaving the village, we turned right and followed the hedge, crossing into a field where trees were being felled. Negotiating a couple of stiles, we continued into Little Durnford Estate crossing the River Avon and passing various animals – camels, llamas, donkeys and horses – who looked at us curiously. Leaving the estate, we crossed the road and proceeded uphill at the top of which we saw Old Sarum ahead and Salisbury in the distance. Following the path back to the Woodford Road, we continued along the base of Old Sarum and on to The Castle where we had lunch. A really enjoyable walk.
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May 2012:
Turning right out of The Silver Plough car park, we then turned left and followed the footpath uphill into Beechy Dean Copse where we joined the Clarendon Way seeing deer and many lovely wild flowers including carpets of bluebells. We arrived at the ruins of Clarendon Palace where we spent time tracing the various parts of the palace and reading the displays. A herd of llamas was grazing near the palace appeared to perplex our canine member, Buddy, who sat looking thoughtfully at them. Leaving the grounds, we went into woodland leading to the other side of Beechy Dean Copse and continued towards the Farley-Pitton road. We turned left at Hound Wood and followed the footpath into Pitton and back to The Silver Plough where we had a good lunch. Despite intermittent rain, we very much enjoyed the walk including Buddy. This is us in the rain reading one of the displays.
(click on photo to enlarge)
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