THE DOWNTON CIRCULAR WALK

From the Borough Cross past the Trafalgar Fisheries river crossings and return.

Walk difficulty: Easy (maybe muddy in the winter)
Start Grid Ref: SU 17510 21516
Post code SP5 3LY

Public transport to start; use the X3 from/to Salisbury/Bournemouth, alight at the Bull Hotel stop and then from the west side of the A338 catch the No 44 into the village and get off by the Goat Inn (can be walked in about 5 mins)

Starting point: Start at the Borough Cross outside the Co-op on the Borough
Finish after walking back down the Borough road to the Borough Café and the Goat Inn.

Cars can be parked to the rear of the Co-op and the start is from the Borough Cross in front of The Goat Inn. Looking north, cross the road via the zebra crossing ahead and then head up Gravel Close to a farm gate with ‘Private Road’ sign.
You will see a finger sign: "Circular Walk". Allow 1.5 - 2 hours.

Route Instructions	Location Comments
Pass through the side gate past a dog poo box and carry on to the gravel track then jinx right and left onto a concrete road still heading north. The New Court Cut (river) is on your right side.	The remains of an ancient Tithe Barn at New Court Farm and an ‘H’ shaped old farm house which you can see to your left.
Follow the concrete path until a farm gate across the road near some barns and cattle sheds, and use the kissing gate to your right into the field and continue north across the field to a small bridge over the ditch and kissing gate marked with a way mark. Now cross the next field to a similar gate, and over the next field to the top left hand corner next to some houses, this is the edge of Charlton All Saints.	Admire the beautiful water meadows and the tranquillity of the carrier, spot heron over the trout farm on your right. The river is particularly beautiful here, as are the trees. Bird spotting recommended.
Leave the field through a kissing gate, cross the farm track to another kissing gate on the other side, and then follow the worn track slightly right towards the river bridges.	At the wooden stile on the second bridge please note the dedication to Dawn Halski, who loved this walk, and the special dog gate passage to the left.
Now after crossing the river, follow the rather muddy path through reeds and undergrowth to a bridge by the weirs and deep pool. Turn right and work your way between the rivers right and left over the river level management sluices. This section is very dramatic it is well worth stopping for a little sustenance after the next bridge before turning left in front of the old mill house and barns.	You will then be facing an old mill, bear left up the hill.
Make your way up the gravel track keeping the garden wall on your right.	On your left is Trafalgar House woods; you could take a short excursion to a lovely viewpoint of Trafalgar House.
Fork right past the family chapel on your left. Still keeping the high garden wall on your right take the path to a kissing gate into the field. Join the gravel farm track heading south towards the farm buildings in the distance.	Look at the old Nelson family graves and admire the spookiness of the chapel! Full of snowdrops in the spring and other beautiful wild flowers. Please note the lovely old oak and ash trees in the park land either side there are usually some horses to say hello to. There are also occasionally some cattle - be careful if you have dogs with you.
Now pass through the farm gate leaving it as you find it, usually closed. The fish farm buildings are on your right. This track takes you to Barford Lane, bear right and keep well tucked in on the right of the road. After 600 metres you will pass the Catholic Church and then you are back into the village.	Enjoy the views of the water meadows and the Church from the village.
Just before the renovated ‘Old School’ buildings, turn right down Snail Creep to the St Laurence Lychgate. Turning left down Church Lane you will find a fish and chip shop ahead, across the High Street, and on your right is the pharmacy. Stay on this side of the road now heading West on the pavements.	The old school buildings have been converted into 3 house units alongside the original caretaker’s house.
The pavement then takes you over the River Avon (Mill Race) which originally fed a number of water mills to your left and then the lovely stone bridge known locally as the iron bridge due to its wrought and cast iron railings.	You might notice that some of the houses have two numbers over their doors. That is because some of the early ‘Rotten Borough’ numbers are still shown from the days when Downton had two Members of Parliament!
You are now on the final part of this walk as you make your way to the Borough Cross with the Borough Green on your left.
We hope you have enjoyed our short circular walk through parts of the village and countryside around.	Do please visit the Borough Café and/or The Goat after your walk.