Avon Valley Path

• Route: Salisbury Cathedral (Wiltshire) to Christchurch Priory (Hampshire)
• Distance: 34 miles
• Directions: View a map

Leaving The Close by its South Gate the path crosses the Avon at Harnham Bridge, and up the hill to Bishops Walk. Thence across Homington Down, dropping to the Ebble Valley, through Oddstock to Nunton, and on to Charlton All Saints, and Downton.

Along the High Street, to Moot Lane, the path climbs through fields, then descends through woodland and pastures to Hatchet Green on the edge of the New Forest, on to Woodgreen Common then to the Castle Hill road, with views across to Dorset. Joining the Avon again the path crosses a unique suspension bridge. Thence to Lower Burgate and to Fordingbridge.

Through St Mary's Churchyard, the path goes south near the river, with Bickton Mill on the other side. Then onto Harbridge Green and Turmer, and across water meadows to the Bridge at Ibsley, through paddocks to Summerley Hill, through heathland, Mockbeggar and Moyles Court, then between lakes. At the end of Kingfisher Lake the path continues into Ringwood.

Through the town centre to the church where it bears west and leaves by the bridge over the mill stream, past Bickeley Common and onto Kingston North Common. Then via farm tracks and woods and by the stream into Sopley.

Past the Woolpack Inn, and into Sopley Park onto The Lamb at Holfleet, then follow a stream into Burton. Then across the river at the Waterworks Wier, and into the High Street with the Priory directly ahead in the heart of Christchurch.