To Tarrant Crawford via a circular route

About 5 miles - 3 hours and varied scenery, mostly on the level.

Start at the Charlton Marshall Halt on the old railway line (O.S. map ref. 896041), the trailway. The platforms are still visible below the road bridge in Park Hill, near Charlton-on-the-Hill. Any other access point along the trailway can be used such as Church Lane or Hopegood Close.

Start by walking along the trailway for a pleasant mile towards Spetisbury . On your right you get a glimpse of the watercress beds. On your left you will then see Spetisbury School & Church. Just before the school is a road bridge. Past the bridge over the road turn left down the slope to the road. Turn right, along the road, and cross straight over the A.350, with care. Past Clapcott's Farm, follow the foot path signs, to the left of the private garage, over the raised narrow footbridge (over the gardens of "Mill House" - quite a sight in any season). Then pass close by the Mill, over the millpond, & through a number of iron gates.

After the iron gates, and the meadows of the flood plain open out, head straight across to a couple of bridges to cross the River Stour before passing the buildings of Keynston Mill. Opposite the disused farm shop, turn right into a field, and keep to the right of the field for about 50 metres. Turn left at the yellow arrow sign, through a field to a metal gate and road.

Cross the road and gateway opposite, walking diagonally across the field ( a well worn path) and left into a road that will lead you past the remains of Tarrant Abbey, the existing House and Farm. At the end of the farm buildings turn right on to a bridleway (marked with a blue arrow sign).

A short detour of 100m., or so, to Tarrant Crawford church (13th C.) is well worth the time to experience a place to meditate, and step back in time!
Retrace your steps to continue along the bridleway over stiles until the road just north of Crawford Farm is reached. Cross the road and through a gate, keeping straight ahead along the edge of two fields. Cross a concrete track (access to local sewage farm, but don't let that put you off). You will pass under the route of overhead power lines, and over a stile. Follow the blue arrow sign around the field until you reach a road. Turn right and follow the road to cross the River Stour by the Crawford Bridge. Walk up to the crossroads, and cross the main A350 with care, and continue up the road opposite (Louse Lane) for about 50 metres to a gravel track on the right. This is the start of the disused railway trail back to Charlton Marshall. If you want refreshment, retrace your steps to Spetisbury School / Church. Turn right along the A350 (there is a pavement on the school side) to the "Drax Arms", or once back in Charlton Marshall there is the "Charlton Inn".