[Geography - Path 16]

Path 16

Footpath

From Green Drove, path No. 17, at East Farm House, leading south-east to the Chalk Pit then east up the escarpment to Chiselbury Rings and round the Camp to its junction with the Herepath, path No. 18. Approximate length: 1005 metres. Width: 0.91 metres.

North to South

The path leaves Path 17 by continuing towards the Down in the same direction as the approach road from the A30 to East Farm, through an unlocked farm gate (012285) straight ahead [1]. There is a waymark on the right-hand gatepost.

The path goes through an open field, usually containing horses or cattle. There may be an electric fence in place, but it is equipped with an insulated handle. Follow the hedgerow on the right to another unlocked gate (014283). This is one of the entries to the newly designated Open Access countryside, but if you wish to stick to the path, leave the chalk pit on your right and take a narrow, steep chalk path diagonally left across the Down [2], passing directly beneath the chalk figure of Mercury, the badge of the Royal Signals. The path has been well marked in both directions by the Fovant Badges Society.

The path itself becomes less obvious towards the shoulder of the Down, and various cattle tracks can be misleading. However, after passing above the badge of the Australian Imperial Force (a ‘sunburst’), you should be able to see the gap in the fence (018283) to the north of Chiselbury. At this point you leave the Open Access area.

The path as marked on the Definitive Map now skirts the eastern side of Chiselbury [4] near a slight ditch and then follows an open track towards the Herepath (Path 18) where there is an unlocked gate and a stile [5] (019280)

South to North

The path starts on the Herepath (Path 18) near Chiselbury (and the Compton Chamberlayne parish boundary) [5]

Go through the gate or over the stile (019280) on to an open track which skirts the eastern side of Chiselbury [4] near a slight ditch, according to the Definitive Map.

Once to the north of Chiselbury you will see a gap in the fence (018283) which you can go through to enter the newly designated Open Access countryside and also to start making your way down the slope. The path has been well marked by the Fovant Badges Society, but you can use East Farmhouse as an aiming point [3], so that the path can be picked up at the corner of the fence surrounding the ‘sunburst’ badge. The path will become progressively steeper, particularly after passing directly beneath the chalk figure of Mercury, the badge of the Royal Signals [2].

At the foot of the Down, near the chalk pit, turn right, through a gate (014283) out of the Open Access area and into an open field, usually containing horses or cattle. Follow the hedgerow on the left to another unlocked gate (012285). There may be an electric fence just before the gate, but it is equipped with an insulated handle.

The path then ends and joins Path 17 near to East Farm [1].

M.C.L.H.
June 2004

Content last updated
7 February 2006