Langley Wood - Pepperbox Hill - Redlynch - Lover

Peter Harper

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Langley Wood - Pepperbox Hill - Redlynch - Lover - Langley Wood

This is a pleasant walk starting at English Nature's nature reserve nine miles south-east of Salisbury. The walk takes you northwards through mainly woodland to Pepperbox Hill, owned by the National Trust, where there is a splendid folly built in 1606 by Giles Eyre, reputedly so that he could look down on his neighbours.

The walk then returns south, again through woodland and across downland, to the villages of Redlynch and its romantically named neighbour, Lover.

There are a couple of short stretches along this walk where the paths are indistinct and brambles and nettles have been allowed to encroach. However, nowhere is this so serious that you will need a machete (although I would advise against doing the walk in shorts). However, you are rewarded for your efforts with an abundance of wildlife and some fine views. According to English Nature, 'dormouse and five species of deer are found in the wood together with breeding birds such as wood warbler, woodcock and lesser-spotted woodpecker'. I have yet to see any dormice, but I did see a profusion of deer, young pheasants and squirrels last time I did the walk.

England - South England - Wiltshire - Woodland or Forest

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Great Views, National Trust, Pub, Restaurant, Wildlife, Woodland

11/14/2016 - Paul and Tracy Dawson

A superb walk I'm sure anytime of year, but in Autumn the trees are stunning! Muddy in places but been in worse! The folly is well worth a visit as there are views for miles around and a good spot for a picnic break. The section through the tunnels of trees and shrubs after visiting the folly is lovely. No stiles left and a few missing gates, but other than that the guide is still good and it's a nice flatish walk considering the length, certainly one to do again! Thank you Peter

12/18/2012 - Keith Annand

I did this walk in the opposite direction, starting from the car park at Pepperbox, and can recommend it although it was very muddy in many places. Also the public footpath was blocked by a locked gate, missing stile, electric fence and barbed wire at Gill's Hole. It may be that there is an obvious alternative coming at it from the opposite direction. Doing it this way means that you can enjoy refreshment at the King's Head in Redlynch before an easy stroll back to Pepperbox.

11/25/2011 - Jill Larby

Thank you Peter for posting this lovely walk. We did this on a foggy Sunday morning in November & were treated to beautiful sights & smells, the best of autumn in the english countryside. Mushroom & toadstool rings of so many different varieties pushing up through the carpet of multi-coloured fallen leaves. The going was quite muddy in places especially the last stretch from the road section back to the lay-by, nothing that good boots or wellies couldn't cope with. We missed out the Pepperbox section, not wanting to risk life & limb on such a busy road in the fog, it really is a tricky obstacle. There are several alternative signed routes through Langley wood which are worth looking at another time.

10/30/2011 - Pete Steele

A most beautiful walk. If you like woodland then this is definitely for you. Although the A36 is dangerous, 'Pepperbox Hill' is worth the visit. Please be very careful when crossing. This is an absolutely stunning walk with wonderful scenery. The dogs loved it too.