From the Chilmark road, C.276, at the top of Schoolhouse Lane, leading south and south-east through Touching Head Copse to path No. 8, where it becomes Bridleway for about 59 m and continuing south-east to the Salisbury - Shaftesbury road, A.30, about 137 m north of Gunvilles. Approximate length: 1207 metres. Width: 1 metre.

North to South

The path leaves Tisbury Road by a metal finger post (998291) indicating a Public Bridleway to the A30 at a distance of ¾ mile [1]. Passing the Rainbow Centre on the left, the paved path enters Touching Head Copse to become rather muddy before turning left along an obvious sunken path, which continues to be muddy in patches. After about 300 metres a stile can be seen on the left (999289) which has a Public Footpath disc on it showing the junction with Path 8

After another 60 metres the sunken path turns sharp right by a large tree on which there are two waymarks [2], but you should carry straight on through a gap in a holly hedge (000289) and turn left along the side of an open field, with a wire fence and vegetation to its left [3].

Follow an uncultivated strip along the length of the large field until at the end of the field, by a wooden garden fence, is a V-shaped stile (006284) with a Public Footpath disc on each side [4]. Turn left here down a narrow path, between a garden fence and hedge on the left and a wire fence and scrub on the right. The stile on the A30 at the end of the path (006284) is marked with a Public Footpath disc on the road side. As this stile is in a poor state, and as there is another stile before the field, it may be dismantled in future [5].

South to North

The path starts on the A30 [5] to the west of The Rectory (006284). Take the straight and narrow path (!) keeping the laurel hedge on your right. (The broken stile on the A30 is due for removal). At the top of the slope you will go through a V-shaped stile [4] where you should turn right into a cultivated field. The path follows an unploughed strip along the length of the large field [3]. Keep the hedgerow on your right and walk the length of the field until, at a corner, you will see a small gap, by a holly tree. Go through this gap and, after a few steps, you will emerge into a wider sunken road.

Path 8 branches left at this point [2], but you should go straight on, along the sunken road. After about 60 metres a stile can be seen on the right (999289) which has a Public Footpath disc on it indicating another junction with Path 8 .

You are now passing through Touching Head Copse where the path becomes rather muddy and turns right to pass the Rainbow Centre on your right. You will emerge into Tisbury Road by a metal finger post (998291) which indicates a Public Bridleway to the A30 at a distance of ¾ mile [1].

Page last updated: 25 December 2002 - Photos added.