Walk Number 4 Wingfield and Back

Map 3 3.5 miles 2 hours

Southwick - Hoggington Lane - The Poplars Inn at Wingfield, returning by St Mary's Church and the Country Park.

Commentary: A good walk for a summer's evening

1. From the Village Hall turn left into Frame Road and after
passing the site of the Blind House cross the road to
Hoggington Lane. Follow Hoggington Lane to its end (near
the chicken farm) and then turn left along the bridle way
sign posted "Wingfield 1.25 miles".

2. From the top of the hill you can see through the gate
Sleight Wood and the Dutch barns of Romsey Oak Farm -
where an oak tree once marked the boundary of monastic
lands owned by Romsey Abbey in Hampshire. Continue
along the green lane on your right with the village of
Wingfield three fields away behind the hedge on your right.

3. After 100 metres, at a slight kink in the lane, climb over the
stile hidden in the hedge on your right and cross the field to
the stile and footbridge in the hedge on the opposite side of
the field. Walk straight across the next field and down
Chapel Lane to the main road running through Wingfield.

4. Enjoy the hospitality at the Poplars or immediately turn right
down Church Lane and past Wingfield School (built in
1852) to the church. The keys to St Mary's Church are
available at Church Farm. It is worth the effort to see the
fine perpendicular architecture and fifteenth century tower.

5. Follow the path to the right, around the south side of the
church and you will find an iron stile in the wall - not the
wooden stile/footpath on the other side of the churchyard
that crosses in front of the farmhouse.

6. Follow the waymarks to the small footbridge over the
Swansbrook that is the Parish boundary between
Southwick and Wingfield and on to the next stile that is built
through the gate.

7. Turn right and cut the comer of the field to the next metal
stile. Turn left and follow the hedge on your left to a double
metal stile and bridge.

8. Walk diagonally across the next field keeping "Strip Woods"
on your right until you reach a double stile. Cross the
middle of the next three fields and enter the Country Park.

9. Then head straight for the Westbury White Horse which
you will see in the distance, and after 4 fields you will reach
the car park. Turn right into Frome Road and walk up Firs
Hill to return to the Village Hall car park. Alternatively to
avoid Firs Hill, you could follow the path that leads to the
end of School Lane.