Peaceful lanes and dry tracks are just some of the

easy-to-manage aspects of this walk, including a visit to the

village of Berwick St John, which has a great pub – just don't

try to pop in on a Monday, says Sue Gearing

IF you want a beautiful circle in Cranborne Chase, easy to

follow and with great views, this is for you. It explores (on

quiet lanes and dry tracks) the chalk downland on the border of

south-west Wiltshire, with sens- ational open downland

views.

Halfway round is Berwick St John, at the western end of the

fertile Chalke Valley, with a welcoming traditional pub.

This area marks some of the most unspoiled countryside in

the South of England and is home to rare species of birds,

butterflies and plants.

You will probably also be able to watch hang gliders

enjoying the thermals from the ridge. The walk starts high up

along the Ox Drove on the downland ridge and drops into the

valley. It's ideal for a morning or afternoon, and perhaps for

those who are not used to longer walks.

The ascent at the end back up on to the ridge is

surprisingly easy – well within everyone's capabilities. A good

walk for dogs.

Part of the Ox Drove can get rather puddly, so wear good

footwear.

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START

Turn right on the lane enjoying the wide-ranging views from

the chalk escarpment over the Chalke Valley. You can see our

destination – the village of Berwick St John. Ignore a left

turn.

1. BYWAY

After about a mile, leave the lane and go ahead on the byway

under trees with good glimpses of the views from time to time.

There may be puddles along here but usually there is a path

made at the side to keep you dry.

This is still Ox Drove, an ancient route along which cattle

were driven to Wilton and Salisbury markets.

2. BRIDLEWAY

After nearly a mile, reach a gate opening on the left. There

is a blue arrow (rather faded) on the left gatepost. Go through

and into the field on the left and here should be a marker

arrow. Head straight down towards the valley with the fence on

your right

On the right are good views over a valley at the side and to

your left you look towards Winklebury Hill, a Site of Special

Scientific Interest with an extensive entrenchment known as

Vespasian's Camp.

Reach a metal gate in the corner, and a gap at the side.

Continue on down the bridleway track. At a bend there is a

grassy track going right towards a metal gate, before the main

track bends.

Leave the track you were on and go down the grassy track. It

goes to the left of the gate and follows a sunken route under

trees. Continue on down and go through another gate joining a

farm track.

Follow this on downhill to a farm, Lower Bridmore. Go

through and out the other side on the farm drive across the

valley until you reach a lane.

3. LANE

Turn left. It should be fairly quiet. The lane goes through

a dark area of trees and then emerges into the light as it

enters into beautiful Berwick St John.

4. BERWICK ST JOHN

Here is the old Priory on your right. Reach the cross and

the Talbot Inn, a very pretty traditional pub (closed on

Mondays). Opposite the pub is an interesting millennium plaque

listing the population – 221 souls, 472ft above sea level and a

stone 1953 bus shelter.

Take the lane at the side of the shelter and bend right past

the village hall and on past pretty cottages along the lane, at

the side of which flows a small stream.

After a few minutes, turn right up a drive following a

footpath sign. Cross a stile into a field and go across to the

far side towards a farm, and out on to another village road.

Turn left. Shortly afterwards, at a bend, turn right on a

marked track and follow it on, past a “graveyard” for old farm

machinery – what an eyesore!

5. FIELD

Go ahead into a field. Simply continue on along the track,

known as Ashcombe Lane, crossing the valley towards the hill

with a great sense of openness with big skies and often the

sound of skylarks.

6. WOODS

Reach woodland. And as the track forks, stay left, so you

are walking just inside the wood. Climb now, but really quite

steadily. Further on up, the path has a rocky base and after

rain may be rather wet and slippery.

Reach the road and turn left to your parking area.

The Talbot Inn, Berwick St John, tel: 01747 828222