From the Salisbury - Shaftesbury Trunk Road, A.30, at New Barn Cottages, leading south-east past New Barn, and continuing south-east and south to the Herepath, path No. 18 at Fovant Hut. Approximate length: 1609 metres. Part subject to ploughing.

North to South

The path starts on the A30, opposite Dean Lane [1], where there is a metal Public Footpath finger post (996281). Take the wide farm track passing a pair of cottages before coming to farm buildings. A waymark has been fixed to sleepers there.

Go through the farmyard and then take the track leading towards the Downs between two cultivated fields [2]. On reaching a small tree on the right, head towards a stile at the western end of a hedgerow at the foot of the downs. The direct route is often affected by cultivation, but the line of the path should be reinstated by the farmer.

The stile (001271) is in a wire fence running south at the foot of the Downs and is marked with a yellow arrow on each side indicating the path in each direction [3]. Now you should follow the sunken road that traverses the hill and which leads to the north-west boundary of Fovant Hut. The more trodden path is on the west shoulder of the sunken road.

A double-headed yellow arrow has been fixed to the boundary fence of Fovant Hut and the way to go is to follow around the old boundary hedges [4]. You will then have to cross a small patch of rough ground before crossing a stile [5] on the Herepath (Path 18) near a telephone pole (002266)

South to North

The path starts at a telephone pole to the east of Fovant Hut [5] where there is a waymarked stile (002266). Cross this stile and some rough ground, around the old boundary hedges of Fovant Hut [4]. Follow the new boundary around the corner until the sunken road down the hill comes into view. You will find that the more trodden path is on the west shoulder of the sunken road. At the foot of the Downs [3], cross the stile (001271) and head for a small tree in the distance, bearing slightly left. This route is often affected by cultivation, but the line of the path should be reinstated by the farmer.

From the small tree you can take the track [2] which heads towards the farm buildings. Go through the farmyard on to a wide farm track passing a gate and two cottages. You will then be on the A30 [1], opposite Dean Lane, where the path ends (996281).

Page last updated: 2 June 2004 - Corrections to text.