The Sarum Way
Encyclopedia
Old Sarum Way is a 32 mile long-distance footpath
in Wiltshire
, England
that does a complete circle around Salisbury
.
The route uses existing public roads, public rights of way and some newly created permitted paths. Some sections of the footpath are waymarked by a metal plate attached to wooden posts which show a picture of the cathedral spire.
This is the best guess of the route (clockwise) based on surviving waymarks
:
Unfortunately the waymarks for the western section are missing. The most likely route is that the path crosses the A30 between Wilton and Burcombe then heads north into Grovely Wood
.
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
that does a complete circle around Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
.
The route uses existing public roads, public rights of way and some newly created permitted paths. Some sections of the footpath are waymarked by a metal plate attached to wooden posts which show a picture of the cathedral spire.
This is the best guess of the route (clockwise) based on surviving waymarks
Waymarking
Waymarking is an activity where people locate and log interesting locations around the world, usually with a GPS receiver and a digital camera. Waymarking differs from geocaching in that there is no physical container to locate at the given coordinates. Waymarking identifies points of interest for...
:
- SU074337 head down the hill on the footpath, under the railway line then across the river into South Newton.
- SU088344 Climb the hill, passing the communication tower and crossing the A360.
- SU124353 Join the Monarch's WayMonarch's WayThe Monarch's Way is a long-distance footpath in England that approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester.Most of the footpath is waymarked...
. - SU167337 Turn south.
- SU162329 Turn east into Old Malthouse Lane.
- SU170330 Turn south onto the bridleway; The path crosses the A30A30 roadThe 284 miles A30 road from London to Land's End, historically known as the Great South West Road used to provide the most direct route from London to the south west; more recently the M3 motorway and A303 road performs this function for much of the route and only parts of A30 now retain trunk...
and passes south on the hill above Laverstock. - SU160297 Join the Clarendon WayClarendon WayThe Clarendon Way is a recreational footpath in England. It starts beside the waters of the River Itchen in the centre of Winchester and ends near the River Avon at Salisbury Cathedral. The path passes through the Clarendon Estate and close to the 12th century ruins of Clarendon Palace...
. - SU185302 Follow the footpath then the permissive path though Clarendon Estate.
- SU193280 Turn south and follow Clarendon Lane then Folly Lane.
- SU183268 Turn onto the bridleway and pass south of Whaddon to SU195261. Turn south following approximately the disused railway line
- SU194238 Turn west then join Witherington Road.
- SU189239 Turn onto the footpath through the woods and cross the river.
- SU176238 Join the Avon Valley PathAvon Valley PathThe Avon Valley Path is a long-distance path in the English counties of Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset.The path takes its name from the River Avon. From Salisbury it passes through the towns of Downton, Fordingbridge and Ringwood as well as the villages of Odstock, Nunton, Charlton-All-Saints,...
northwards. - SU129282 Turn left and head towards Salisbury RacecourseSalisbury RacecourseSalisbury Racecourse is a flat racecourse in the United Kingdom featuring thoroughbred horse racing. It is located four miles from Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. Fifteen races a year are held here between early May and mid-October...
.
Unfortunately the waymarks for the western section are missing. The most likely route is that the path crosses the A30 between Wilton and Burcombe then heads north into Grovely Wood
Grovely Wood
Grovely Wood is one of the largest woodlands in southern Wiltshire. It is situated on a chalk ridge above the River Wylye to the south of the village of Great Wishford, within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
.