Down, Ditch and Dyke from Pentridge SU034178

About trip

From the lay-by walk past the turning up to the church and cross the stile on the left by the footpath sign. Head up the field to a stile, and cross it to enter a narrow footpath. This leads between hedges, straight up Pentridge Hill. Cross another stile into a field and keep straight ahead. As you pause to catch your breath, you can start to admire the view opening around you, with the green curve of Pentridge Down on the left. Keep straight on to the top of the hill (Penbury Knoll), passing to the left of a clump of trees. At the top tuen left on to the Jubilee Trail footpath, which runs along the ridge of the down beside an ancient hedge line. There are fabulous views on either side. After 0.5 mile the path starts to descend. Turn right, through a gate into a copse, following the Jubilee Trail marker, and descend along the field-edge. Soon bear left across the field to a fingerpost in the hedge, to turn right down a muddy track. There are good views of Bokerley Dyke curving away to your left. Descend through woodland to a gate at the bottom. Go through and turn right, on to a bridleway. Pass a metal gate and immediately hook back left on a chalky track. As you start to descend, curious mounds appear to the right. Cross Grimm's Ditch and Bokerley Dyke on to the nature reserve of Martin Down, and immediately turn left on to the grassy path, which runs along the east side of the ditch. Follow this downhill for 0.5 mile. At the crossroads of tracks turn left on to the Jubilee Trail, by the fingerpost that announces it's only 90 miles fo Forde Abbey. A nettly path runs up the side of mixed woodland. At the end of the woods go straight ahoud, through a gate. Follow the field boundary up to the top and cross the stile. Turn right and go through the farm gate into a green lane. Pentridge Down emerges to the left, with the village hidden by trees. Pass through another gate on to a farm track between high hedges. Continue down to the bottom and follow it round to the left. Walk back into the village along the main street to return to your car.