11. Fields, Downs and the Shades of Ancient Man

Walk - approximately 7 ½ miles

A mixture of a valley and ridge walking in an area abounding with earthworks, tumuli, cross dykes and Celtic field systems, and with glorious views for much of the way. The walk includes several inclines.

N.B. There are sheep in the fields, and dogs must be kept on a lead.

Leave Shaftesbury on the A30 Salisbury road, and after four and a half miles, turn right on the road to Berwick St. John. The roads in the village are mainly narrow, so park wherever you find a convenient spot. There is a large lay-by on the right as you enter the village.

Start by walking along the Alvediston road, past the pub and several large houses, and then take the concrete track on the left, indistinctly marked “Woodlands” high up on the right hand side of the road. Warning; the track is not cleaned and can be muddy.

After about two-thirds of a mile go through a gate and follow the track uphill. Where it bears left, turn right and walk round the top curve of the field, until you reach a small path on your left (marked by timber posts and rail) going up through the hedge to an almost hidden gate.

Go through the gate and cross the field, keeping the fence on your right, and carry straight on through a gate on a track coming in from the left. When you come to a line of Beech trees on your right, go over a stile and cross the field to the right of a fine house (Norrington).

Go through a gate, cross the track, turn left and go over a stile on the left of a petrol pump. Cross the field, keeping the fence on your left, heading towards an old corrugated iron shed in the distance.

At the end of the field there is a stile to the right of the old corrugated iron shed. Cross and go straight over a concrete track to a narrow path (overgrown in summer). Follow this for approximately 500 metres until you come to a gate. Go through this, and cross the field, with the fence on your left to a stile.

Go over this, cross the road, and go up the drive towards the church.

This has the original old tower and Saxon font but extensive restoration in 1866 unfortunately removed nearly all the architectural features of earlier years. Sir Anthony Eden is buried in the churchyard.

You will probably find the church open and it is worth a visit. There are a number of memorial tablets to members of the Wyndham family, including one who died in 1723/4.

Go through a gate in the fence on your right and ahead to a gate at the end of the field.

Go through this, and straight ahead to go through another gate at the far end of the field. Go down the drive past cottages to the road.

Turn left, and at the bend in the road, carry straight on along an uphill track (signposted to North Hill Farm) which soon becomes tarmac. Continue on this, and just before a sign ‘Private road to farm only’ take the footpath which forks to the right.

You soon get a fine view across the valley on your right.

When you reach a crossing track turn left.

You are now on the Salisbury Way, the old road from Shaftesbury to Salisbury and on to London. There is much evidence in this area of ancient settlements with their earthworks, tumuli, dykes and field systems. You may find a modern settlement, a gypsy encampment, beside the Way.

Keep on the main track, ignoring a grassy fork to the left, and when you come to a road cross over and continue straight ahead on the track.

An old drove road goes along the top of the ridge across the valley on your left.

About one and a half miles after crossing the road, shortly beyond the second small plantation of trees on your right, and just before a stile on the left, turn left down a narrow path in a gap in the fencing.

You are now on the edge of a dyke and, just before the end of it, go right through a small countryside stewardship gate into a field.

Follow the wire fence on your left for approximately thirty metres, and then go through a metal gate diagonally left over the field to a gate in the bottom corner which comes into view once you have reached the rise in the centre.

Go through it on a track, grassy at first then stony, as it goes downhill. Go through a gate, pass in front of a house and follow the lane back to Berwick St. John.

On meeting the road turn left for the centre of the village.

Map 11. Fields, Downs and Shades of Ancient Man