[Geography - Path 3]

Path 3

Footpath

From the southern end of path No. 2 leading east for about 137 m, then north and north-east for about 24.6 m and east for about 39.3 m to the Fifield Bavant - Dinton road, C.64, and continuing south-east through the allotments to its junction with path No. 1 at the south-east corner of Fir Hill Plantation, then south-east skirting the field edge, across path No. 6 to the Salisbury - Shaftesbury Trunk Road, A.30, at the Pembroke Arms Hotel. Approximate length: 1370 metres. Width: 0.91 metres. Part subject to ploughing.

West to East

Start where the footbridge over the stream near Church Lane leaves Path 2 and go east to a double step stile (998294) beside a locked gate [1]. Cross an open field on a faint footpath towards a 3-bar stile at the rear of a group of houses. The path has been diverted around the houses until it emerges on the Dinton road. (TAKE CARE HERE).

On the opposite side of the road a metal finger post (000294) indicates a Public Footpath to Compton Chamberlayne showing a distance of 1½ mile. Cross the stile leading to an open field [2] where the path goes diagonally to the southern corner of Fir Hill Plantation and turns left along the boundary of the Plantation until a stile is reached (002293) with a wire gate to one side [3].

Now you should turn right in a south-easterly direction keeping a wire fence on your right-hand side and a cultivated field on your left.

At the junction with Path 5 there is a two-bar stile (004291) where the way ahead is confirmed by a Public Footpath disc pointing through a slightly open farm gate [4]. Now carry on with an open field on the left and a wire fence, with vegetation, on the right. The fence on the right is interrupted occasionally with private stiles, but one waymarked stile (005290) indicates Path 6 leading down to High Street.

Our path enters a large paddock through a two-bar stile and across another stile with farm buildings on the left and then across another paddock to a stile near the A30 (007286). A flight of steps leads to the road where there is a metal finger post indicating a Public Footpath to Compton Chamberlayne at a distance of 1¾ mile [5].

East to West

From the start of the path [5], near the Pembroke Arms (007286), climb the steps and over the stile and then follow a rather indistinct path up through the nettles, keeping the farm buildings on your right.

Cross a paddock, entering and leaving it across stiles. The fence on the left is interrupted occasionally with private stiles, but one waymarked stile (005290) indicates Path 6 leading down to High Street.

At the junction with Path 5 there is a slightly open farm gate (004291) where the way ahead is confirmed by a Public Footpath disc pointing across a two-bar stile [4]. Now carry on with an open field on the right and a wire fence, with vegetation, on the left.

When you come to Fir Hill Plantation, turn left across a stile (002293) with a wire gate to one side [3] and keep the boundary of the Plantation on your right. At the corner of the Plantation cross the field diagonally to the right, aiming for the stile (and the speed limit and footpath signs) on the Dinton road [2] (000294).

Cross the road bearing slightly right (TAKE CARE HERE) and then follow the path which has been diverted around the houses. At the end of this diversion, climb the stile into the field and cross it on a faint footpath. At the bottom of the field you have to cross a double step stile (998294) beside a locked gate [1], where you find yourself at the end of the path on the footbridge across the stream, where you join Path 2 .

M.C.L.H.
July 2002

Content last updated
6 February 2006