Part of Avon Valley Path

We set off from where we stayed on Slab Lane, joining the footpath up from the road, along a tree lined footpath which emerges at an open field with views as far as Salisbury Cathedral. Here we turned left along the Avon Valley Path. We kept the hedge on our left and when we met a farm track we crossed it, to walk downhill in another field - this time with the hedge on our right. We continued through woodland then followed a bridleway to our left, then a track to the right, eventually coming out at Hatchet Green. We turned left and over a cattle grid towards Hale Park, and Woodgreen., 

This building is called Hatchet Lodge. We followed the road, turning left at Home Farm, then right at a very long avenue of lime trees. At the end we could see Hale House, a Georgian Mansion.

The path skirts round the mansion and lead through more woodland to St Mary's Church, which was open.

Down the steep footpath, covered in fallen leaves and to the road. A quick diversion to look at the river from the bridge, then we turned left to Woodgreen.  We walked into the village hoping the pub was open for lunch, but it seems to have shortened its opening times. We walked up and out of the village and back to the Avon Valley Path as it goes along a quiet road, Castle Hill.

A fine viewpoint on Castle Hill, over the Avon valley and into Dorset. Then we turned right along a footpath through the water meadows to the suspension bridge at Burgate Manor Farm, and into Fordingbridge.

We caught the bus back to Downton, and walked the mile and a half from there.

On the way we saw swallows and the odd martin, two flocks of long-tailed itts and a couple of egrets.