Footpath
From Green Drove, path No. 17, at East Farm House, leading south-east to the Chalk Pit then east up the escarpment to Chiselbury Rings and round the Camp to its junction with the Herepath, path No. 18. Approximate length: 1005 metres. Width: 0.91 metres.
North to South
The path leaves Path 17 by continuing towards the Down in the same direction as the approach road from the A30 to East Farm, through an unlocked farm gate (012285) [1].
The path follows a wide strip between two fences and heads towards the chalk pit and LRB badge straight ahead. At the end of the strip and to the right of an unlocked gate (014283) note that there is no Right of Way along the path at the foot of the Down, but that the way ahead is one of the entries to the designated Open Access countryside. If you wish to stick to the path, leave the chalk pit on your right and take a narrow, steep chalk path diagonally left across the Down [2], passing directly beneath the chalk figure of Mercury, the badge of the Royal Signals. The path has been well marked by the Fovant Badges Society. and Wiltshire Council
The path itself becomes less obvious towards the shoulder of the Down, and various cattle tracks can be misleading. However, after passing above the badge of the Australian Imperial Force (a ‘sunburst’), you should aim for the left-hand side of Chiselbury. At this point you leave the Open Access area.
Please note that the Fovant Badges have been fenced in for their protection and those areas should not be entered.
The path as marked on the Definitive Map now skirts the eastern side of Chiselbury [4] near a slight ditch and then follows an open track towards the Herepath (Path 18) where there is an unlocked gate and a stile [5] (019280)
South to North
The path starts on the Herepath (Path 18) near Chiselbury (and the Compton Chamberlayne parish boundary) [5]
Go through the gate or over the stile (019280) on to an open track which skirts the eastern side of Chiselbury [4] near a slight ditch, according to the Definitive Map.
Once to the north of Chiselbury you can enter the designated Open Access countryside or start making your way down the slope. The path has been well marked by the Fovant Badges Society and Wiltshire Council, but you can also use East Farmhouse as an aiming point, so that the path can be picked up at the corner of the fence surrounding the ‘sunburst’ badge. [3]
Please note that the Fovant Badges have been fenced in for their protection and those areas should not be entered.
The path will become progressively steeper, particularly after passing directly beneath the chalk figure of Mercury, the badge of the Royal Signals [2].
At the foot of the Down, near the chalk pit, turn right, through a gate (014283) out of the Open Access area and into a wide grass strip leading to an unlocked gate (012285).
The path then ends and joins Path 17 near to East Farm [1].
M.C.L.H.
June 2004