Athelhampton

22/3/2017

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22 March 2017
Athelhampton
Ray
Ray, Clive, Peter
6.3 miles
Athelhampton House
Worlds End ★★★☆☆

It looked rather unpleasant when we were driving towards Athelhampton, persistent light drizzle with harder rain at times. The forecast promised it would brighten up later and "in spite of Brexit", as the BBC would say, it turned out to be a very pleasant day and our walk was very pleasurable.

The inspiring conversation destroyed Ray's concentration and we strode past the intended turn at Park Farm. The path goes into a small filed at Southover Farm and then we turned right at the road by Southover House. The house, which sleeps 14, is available to rent for three nights for between £1000 and £1500 depending on the season.

Southover House

There was a fair bit of water flowing down the path going up towards Southover Heath but it was not too bad. More inspiring chat caused us to overshoot the next turn but we back tracked to walk along the field edge turning in to Mansel's Plantation at the top. Leaving Southover Heath Plantation it looks, on the map, as if there is a bridleway straight in front of you. This is shown as continuing down to Pallington and back up again. We were unable to find it anywhere and, as you can see from the map below, we followed the "other tracks" which are well established and signed in various places. There are one or two interesting and unusual signed which we spotted around Pallington Heath - see pictures below. Forest Enterprise England is apparently an executive agency, sponsored by the Forestry Commission.
Earlier memories of a muddy experience at Admission Farm also led us to remain on a similar path through compound wood. A short downhill stroll saw us back at the car after a very enjoyable walk.

We had a fairly good lunch at the Worlds End. It is a bit on the pricey side with rather a limited menu but it is open for food all day.