This is a relatively short walk being approximately 7 miles and it is flat apart from two modest climbs. There are however lots of styles.
The start point is at the car park by the cricket ground just outside Godshill or you could use the one that is about 1/2 Km to the north-east.
Follow the track from the car park that takes you in a south westerly direction towards Hart Hill. Although it does not look like it on the map it is quite a broad path that is easy to follow. When you reach the road turn left for a few yards before turning right onto another well marked footpath. Follow this path until you see the riding school in front of you and then turn right over the syle. Keep along this path and cross the footbridge. As sson as you reach the open ground just before Bliss Hill turn right and keep on this path until you rerach the road. Cross over just by the ford and take the footpath slightly off to your left. This takes you alongside Ditchend Brook and is a good path apart from the last two or three hundred yards just before you reach the road, The path skirts a large nursery and is a bit rough and narrow but still quite passable.
Turn left onto the road and walk to the junction with the Stuckton Road. If you are feeling like spending a little time and quite a bit of money turn right and stop at the Three Lions for lunch. It will be a first class meal! If not carry straight on taking the footpath that leads between the fields toward Redbrook Farm. Make sure you do not miss the right turn that is halfway across one of the fields taking you to the cemetery and the small church, that is now closed, beside the Stuckton Road. Turn left along the road and then find your way across the bridge into Fordingbridge.
After you have crossed the bridge you can follow the Avon Valley Path or take the earlier turning which will bring you to the same point at Lower Burgate close to the Tudor Rose Inn where you can stop for a lunch that will be about a third of what you would have paid at the Three Lions. If however you want quality you will be hard pushed to find anywhere that beats The Three Lions within 500 miles.
Leave the Tudor Inn, cross the road turn left for a few yards and follow the path sign for the Avon Valley Path. This leads between somer farm buildings and holiday cottages and across the water meadows. Do not stray to far from the path, particularly if it has been wet, as this area can be very boggy.
Keep on the Avon Valley path until you walk through Folds Farm. As you cross the cattle grid leaving the farm go half left and pass through the gate into Godshill Wood. Follow the path first round to the left and then back right again and you will join a fairly wide easy to follow track that eventually becomes a cycle track. After crossing the road take the first track on your right and leave the Inclosure close to another car park. Take the path that leads to the west and drop down the hill until you reach another path that takes you directly along the boundary fence and up to the top of Godshill Ridge. When you reach the road you will be at your car park or, if you parked by the cricket ground, you will have to turn right and walk another half Km .
The start point is at the car park by the cricket ground just outside Godshill or you could use the one that is about 1/2 Km to the north-east.
Follow the track from the car park that takes you in a south westerly direction towards Hart Hill. Although it does not look like it on the map it is quite a broad path that is easy to follow. When you reach the road turn left for a few yards before turning right onto another well marked footpath. Follow this path until you see the riding school in front of you and then turn right over the syle. Keep along this path and cross the footbridge. As sson as you reach the open ground just before Bliss Hill turn right and keep on this path until you rerach the road. Cross over just by the ford and take the footpath slightly off to your left. This takes you alongside Ditchend Brook and is a good path apart from the last two or three hundred yards just before you reach the road, The path skirts a large nursery and is a bit rough and narrow but still quite passable.
Turn left onto the road and walk to the junction with the Stuckton Road. If you are feeling like spending a little time and quite a bit of money turn right and stop at the Three Lions for lunch. It will be a first class meal! If not carry straight on taking the footpath that leads between the fields toward Redbrook Farm. Make sure you do not miss the right turn that is halfway across one of the fields taking you to the cemetery and the small church, that is now closed, beside the Stuckton Road. Turn left along the road and then find your way across the bridge into Fordingbridge.
After you have crossed the bridge you can follow the Avon Valley Path or take the earlier turning which will bring you to the same point at Lower Burgate close to the Tudor Rose Inn where you can stop for a lunch that will be about a third of what you would have paid at the Three Lions. If however you want quality you will be hard pushed to find anywhere that beats The Three Lions within 500 miles.
Leave the Tudor Inn, cross the road turn left for a few yards and follow the path sign for the Avon Valley Path. This leads between somer farm buildings and holiday cottages and across the water meadows. Do not stray to far from the path, particularly if it has been wet, as this area can be very boggy.
Keep on the Avon Valley path until you walk through Folds Farm. As you cross the cattle grid leaving the farm go half left and pass through the gate into Godshill Wood. Follow the path first round to the left and then back right again and you will join a fairly wide easy to follow track that eventually becomes a cycle track. After crossing the road take the first track on your right and leave the Inclosure close to another car park. Take the path that leads to the west and drop down the hill until you reach another path that takes you directly along the boundary fence and up to the top of Godshill Ridge. When you reach the road you will be at your car park or, if you parked by the cricket ground, you will have to turn right and walk another half Km .