[1] From the village green, cross to the telephone box and take the Sopworth road, passing the pub over to your right. Just beyond Northend on your left, take the signed footpath left, climbing steps into a field. Turn right at the top, then go half-left across the grass to climb a stile in the opposite boundary? Go ahead now to the next field and from there continue, boundary right and climb a stile at the far side to reach a farm track. Walk right, to the road.
Turn left along the tarmac for a short distance, then climb a stile on the right to enter a field, usually cropped. The right of way goes across the crops to a stile mid-point in the far boundary – you might want to follow the field edge, boundary left, to reach it! Either way, climb the stile then walk diagonally right over the pasture towards the remains of a gate next to a tree, in the right boundary.
[2] Beyond is a track go left along it to a T-junction, turn left and in a few yards go right, over the fence or barbed wire. Head directly over this pasture, either side of an old boundary hedge, aiming for a green metal gate at the far side, marked by a pair of tall wooden poles. Once through the gate proceed, boundary right, to the far right corner and through another gate.
[3] Continue, with the village of Sherston ahead, soon descending to a grass track that swings right, passing a cottage to reach the road.Follow the road towards Sherston, passing Grove Road to your right and following Brook Hill to the village centre. Walk along the broad High Street to the far end, keeping right at the post office to reach the Rattlebones Inn, a suitable mid-walk refreshment stop.
[4] Your return route is right, beyond the pub, along Noble Street, which descends to cross the river. Here, turn right and climb Thompsons Hill, keeping right at a junction and continuing to crossroads. Turn right, then immediately right over a stile into a grassland.
[5] Follow the left boundary to its end where you descend half left to a gate in the hedge just left of the factory. Continue your descent, walking left with the river to your right. Just past a footbridge, go through a kissing gate and follow the rough, riverside path to a further gate and in a short distance, another, where you enter a meadow. Walk ahead now on a level route, to a waymarked pole directing you up and left.
[6] At the top of the meadow, climb the stile into a field and walk to the far left corner, either side of the vegetable patch, to reach a lane. Turn right and follow the lane to its end, where you cross a ford to a junction.
[7] Go left and walk past cottages on the left then over a causeway with stream to your left, and passing a fine house on the right. Beyond here, turn right towards the church with the entrance to Luckington Court ahead.
(A) The church and Luckington Court were used in the filming of the BBC’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Go through the gate into the churchyard. Follow the path around the church, leaving via a gate then following the path ahead with Luckington Court to your right, to reach the road. Turn right and follow the tarmac back to the village, bearing right to the village green and a little further to The Old Royal Ship.