A FIGURE OF EIGHT TO WHITHEYMORE ‑ 3.7 MILES
NOTE: THE ROUGH GROUND BY THE HAMS GULLY BROOK MAKES
THIS A SLIGHTLY MORE CHALLENGING WALK THAN THE PREVIOUS THREE.
From the Chipping walk along Hillesley Road for 350
yds to the first bend. A stile on the right marks the start of footpath 24.
With the hedge on the left, cross a double stile and half way along the next
field turn left. Through a metal gate onto footpath 25. Go through a second
metal gate in the general direction of Upper Barns Farm. Pass close by the
garden of the farm and through a third metal gate. Once past the farmhouse bear
very slightly to the left and pass through another metal gate. Continue in the
same direction to a further gate, by a water trough. The same line continues
across the next field, to a stile lying to the left of a tree and then to a
gate in the next field. There is a choice of paths here. Take the left hand
path, footpath 42, through the gate and head for a stile by a large oak tree.
Cross the drive to Haroldsfield Farm, then the stile and continue on the same
line to a gateway in the far hedge. Forty yards beyond the hedge cross the
drive to Witheymore Farm and continue across rough ground to a line of trees
and a "way‑marked" gap in a wire fence. Pass on through
undergrowth to a bridge across the Hams Gully Brook, taking care, the bank can
be slippery. Once across the gully again pass through rough ground, with a
thicket on the left, until a field is reached. Continue walking alongside the
left hand hedge, footpath 45, until a stile is reached. There are fine views,
first of Wotton and Alderley and then at the stile, of Hillesley. Do not cross
the stile but bear right to the gate nearest Witheymore Farm, footpath 46. Pass
through the next field with first the farm garden then the farm buildings on
the right to a small bridge and stile in the corner of the field. Walk right
down the length of the next field, footpath 24, to a wooden gate at the far
end, just to the right of the buildings of Haroldsfield Farm. From the gate
bear diagonally right across the farm drive to a "waymarked" wooden
stile, footpath 40. Continue diagonally down the field, in the direction of a
large clump of trees, to a double stile in the corner of the field. Head for a
stile just to the left of Upper Barns Farm. This is where the figure of eight
crosses. At the stile bear right, footpath 28, to a second stile in the right
hand hedge of the field. Continue the same line to a first metal gate and
onwards to a second gate at the road. Turn right along the road for 40 yards
and take the road sign posted to Nind. Follow the road through the hamlet. Once
across a small bridge take the path beside the stream back to Kingswood,
footpaths 68 and 16.