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Home> Walks> England> Wiltshire> Avon Valley from Downton

Avon Valley from Downton

Recommended by
Walk directions

Walk up the lane between the King's Arms and the pharmacy to the church. Turn right in front of the church along a path beside a cob wall. At the end turn left and walk along the road for about 0.5 miles (800m).

Before the road swings right, turn left on to a track, signed to Trafalgar Fisheries. Continue on the track, between a farm and the fishery, to a cottage. Turn left here, passing the chapel on your right.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Riverside paths, downland tracks, metalled lanes, several stiles
  Landscape  - River valley, woodland, downland pasture, village streets
  Dog friendliness  - Keep dogs under control across pasture; care needed at A36
  Parking  - Plenty of roadside parking in High Street
  Toilets en route  - None on route
Walks in Wiltshire Dog-friendly walks in Wiltshire Family friendly walks in Wiltshire
About the walk
Close to the Hampshire border and straddling the channels of the River Avon south of Salisbury, Downton has the air of a small town about it. Despite this, the central area, known as The Borough, with its wide and pretty green and thatched timber-framed cottages, has not lost its village feel. This...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

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About the area
Wiltshire’s charm lies in the beauty of its countryside, with expansive chalk landscapes of the Marlborough and Pewsey downs and miles of uninterrupted views deep into Dorset, Somerset and the Cotswolds. Stroll through quaint timbered and thatched villages in the southern Woodford and Avon valleys and explore the historic streets of the stone villages of Lacock, Castle Combe and Sherston.
Explore Wiltshire
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Self-Catering
Undercastle Cottage
★★★★★
awardaward
"Dog-friendly luxury cottage in the New Forest with sun terraces, lush gardens and private fishing...."
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
Self-Catering
Undercastle Cottage
★★★★★
awardaward
"Dog-friendly luxury cottage in the New Forest with sun terraces, lush gardens and private fishing...."
  • Total units: 1
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
Holiday Park
Sandy Balls Holiday Village
★★★★★
awardawardawardawardaward
"Discover a charming site set in the lovely New Forest...."
Nearby places to stay
Undercastle Cottage
Undercastle cottage is a dog-friendly, luxury cottage in the New Forest that sleeps 4 to 6 people. It has sun terraces, lush gardens and 2,500m of private fishing on the Hampshire Avon....
★★★★★    Rating
Undercastle Cottage
Undercastle cottage is a dog-friendly, luxury cottage in the New Forest that sleeps 4 to 6 people. It has sun terraces, lush gardens and 2,500m of private fishing on the Hampshire Avon....
★★★★★    Rating
Sandy Balls Holiday Village
Nestled in the beautiful New Forest, Sandy Balls Holiday Village is a world away from the day-to-day. There are resident alpacas, family-friendly restaurants and a serene spa, along wit...
★★★★★    Rating
The Kings Head
The Kings Head is a beautifully restored 16th-century, Grade II listed building that opened as an inn in 1786. Inside, the restaurant is open daily offering a menu showcasing the best l...
★★★★    Rating
Wayside Apartment
This property is a modern, self-contained extension to the owner's residence with its own private outdoor spaces. It will comfortably accommodate a family of four or two couples. Locate...
★★★★    Rating
Wayside
This property is a modern, self-contained extension to the owner's residence with its own private outdoor spaces. It will comfortably accommodate a family of four or two couples. Locate...
★★★★    Rating
Summerlands Caravan Park
A quiet family-run campsite off the beaten track. The site affords peace and tranquillity with panoramic views and level grass pitches. Situated within the Cranborne Chase, an AONB, six...
★★★    Rating
Sarum College
Yards from Salisbury Cathedral, Sarum College offers excellent guest accommodation in a Grade I-listed building whose oldest section – designed by Sir Christopher Wren – dates to 1677. ...
Quality Assessed
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Great Bustard
   AA Rosette Award
The Crown Manor House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Hartnett Holder & Co
   AA Rosette Award
Rhinefield House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Great Bustard
   AA Rosette Award
The Crown Manor House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Hartnett Holder & Co
   AA Rosette Award
Rhinefield House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Acorn Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Greyhound on the Test
   AA Rosette Award
The Greyhound on the Test
The Three Cups Inn
View all
Route details
2hrs 30min
Dog-friendly Family-friendly
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Gentle


Distance:
4.5 miles (7.2kms)

Ascent:
229ft (70m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
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If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Avon Valley from Downton

Recommended by
Walk details
2hrs 30min
Dog friendly Family friendly
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Gentle
Distance:
4.5 miles (7.2kms)
Ascent:
229ft (70m)
Walk directions

Walk up the lane between the King's Arms and the pharmacy to the church. Turn right in front of the church along a path beside a cob wall. At the end turn left and walk along the road for about 0.5 miles (800m).
1 of 6

Before the road swings right, turn left on to a track, signed to Trafalgar Fisheries. Continue on the track, between a farm and the fishery, to a cottage. Turn left here, passing the chapel on your right.
2 of 6

Where the lane bends left down to the mill, take the signed footpath, right, into the trees. Follow the main path right to a wooden gate on the woodland edge. Bear half right across a field to a metal gate (Trafalgar House is on your right), and follow the woodland path for 0.25 miles (400m) to a metalled lane. Turn right uphill, then left at the junction opposite a lodge.
3 of 6

Cross the bridge over the disused railway and take the arrowed bridle path right. Continue beside the old railway, following the right-hand edge of two fields to reach a road.
4 of 6

Turn right under the bridge, then left to follow the old embankment. When this peters out, maintain direction over the hill and descend to cross a track.
5 of 6

Descend into the valley and, as you start to ascend, take the path to the right of the embankment. At the top of the rise, turn left over a stile and continue beside the old railway. Cross a stile and keep ahead along an enclosed path to a residential road. Keep ahead for 50yds (46m) and turn right down a signposted path to a gate. Walk down the drive and turn left back to the High Street.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Riverside paths, downland tracks, metalled lanes, several stiles
  Landscape - River valley, woodland, downland pasture, village streets
  Dog friendliness - Keep dogs under control across pasture; care needed at A36
  Parking - Plenty of roadside parking in High Street
  Toilets en route - None on route
Walks in Wiltshire Dog-friendly walks in Wiltshire Family friendly walks in Wiltshire
About the walk
Close to the Hampshire border and straddling the channels of the River Avon south of Salisbury, Downton has the air of a small town about it. Despite this, the central area, known as The Borough, with its wide and pretty green and thatched timber-framed cottages, has not lost its village feel. This...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Wiltshire
Wiltshire’s charm lies in the beauty of its countryside, with expansive chalk landscapes of the Marlborough and Pewsey downs and miles of uninterrupted views deep into Dorset, Somerset and the Cotswolds. Stroll through quaint timbered and thatched villages in the southern Woodford and Avon valleys and explore the historic streets of the stone villages of Lacock, Castle Combe and Sherston.
Explore Wiltshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Self-Catering
Undercastle Cottage
★★★★★
awardaward
"Dog-friendly luxury cottage in the New Forest with sun terraces, lush gardens and private fishing...."
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
Self-Catering
Undercastle Cottage
★★★★★
awardaward
"Dog-friendly luxury cottage in the New Forest with sun terraces, lush gardens and private fishing...."
  • Total units: 1
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
Holiday Park
Sandy Balls Holiday Village
★★★★★
awardawardawardawardaward
"Discover a charming site set in the lovely New Forest...."
Nearby places to stay
Undercastle Cottage
Undercastle cottage is a dog-friendly, luxury cottage in the New Forest that sleeps 4 to 6 people. It has sun terraces, lush gardens and 2,500m of private fishing on the Hampshire Avon....
★★★★★    Rating
Undercastle Cottage
Undercastle cottage is a dog-friendly, luxury cottage in the New Forest that sleeps 4 to 6 people. It has sun terraces, lush gardens and 2,500m of private fishing on the Hampshire Avon....
★★★★★    Rating
Sandy Balls Holiday Village
Nestled in the beautiful New Forest, Sandy Balls Holiday Village is a world away from the day-to-day. There are resident alpacas, family-friendly restaurants and a serene spa, along wit...
★★★★★    Rating
The Kings Head
The Kings Head is a beautifully restored 16th-century, Grade II listed building that opened as an inn in 1786. Inside, the restaurant is open daily offering a menu showcasing the best l...
★★★★    Rating
Wayside
This property is a modern, self-contained extension to the owner's residence with its own private outdoor spaces. It will comfortably accommodate a family of four or two couples. Locate...
★★★★    Rating
Wayside Apartment
This property is a modern, self-contained extension to the owner's residence with its own private outdoor spaces. It will comfortably accommodate a family of four or two couples. Locate...
★★★★    Rating
Summerlands Caravan Park
A quiet family-run campsite off the beaten track. The site affords peace and tranquillity with panoramic views and level grass pitches. Situated within the Cranborne Chase, an AONB, six...
★★★    Rating
Sarum College
Yards from Salisbury Cathedral, Sarum College offers excellent guest accommodation in a Grade I-listed building whose oldest section – designed by Sir Christopher Wren – dates to 1677. ...
Quality Assessed
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Great Bustard
   AA Rosette Award
The Crown Manor House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Hartnett Holder & Co
   AA Rosette Award
Rhinefield House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Great Bustard
   AA Rosette Award
The Crown Manor House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Hartnett Holder & Co
   AA Rosette Award
Rhinefield House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Acorn Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Greyhound on the Test
   AA Rosette Award
The Greyhound on the Test
The Three Cups Inn
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby