1. For this photo survey of Sixsal One I followed the route from Sixpenny Handley to the Salisbury meeting point. Due to a closed footpath after Martin Down through Vernditch Chase I had to backtrack and detour adding 1.3km to the route for a total of 26km. Less this diversion the I recorded 24.7km on a Garmin GPS, an acceptable margin of error for the listed Slow Ways distance of 24.1km. This first photo captures the partial paved road at the Sixpenny Handley starting point on High Street. 0 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
2. Rounding the corner from High Street onto Dean Lane the route begins paved. 0.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
3. Dean Lane pavement ends before leaving the residential area. 0.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
4. Leaving the residential area Dean Lane takes on characteristics of typical unmarked country road. Narrow in places but with ample passing places. 1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
5. Turning off Dean Lane through a pedestrian gate onto a old tarmac track with a gentle ascent. 2.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
6. Capture of the track surface and increasing gradient. 2.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
7. Reduction in gradient approaching the farmhouse. 3.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
8. Rounding the farmhouse the track turns gravel ahead of joining a dirt track through meadow with some grass overgrowth. 3.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
9. Surface of the dirt track with overgrown grass. 4.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
10. Garden-style gate leading onto footpath along residential boundaries. 4.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
11. Surface of narrow dirt footpath. Has some overhanging branches. 4.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
12. Footpath ends at unmarked country road road descending to Woodyates. 4.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
13. Surface of road on the descent to Woodyates. 4.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
14. Partial paved route through Woodyates. 4.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
15. Pavement turning left onto A354. This soon ends so crossing the road to the bus stop opposite was required. National speed limit (60mph) applies here but the visibility is good in both directions and there are frequent large gaps in traffic to facilitate safe crossing (tested 11am on a weekday for this photo survey and review). 4.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
16. Capture of the pavement narrowing and soon blocked due to overgrown bushes. Note the bus stop at the top-right. 4.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
17. Capture from the bus stop after crossing the road, illustrating the bush overgrowth and the pavement ending. 4.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
18. Walking along the bus stop is the target verge on the original side of the road. 4.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
19. The mowed verge soon is replaced with longer grass. 4.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
20. Surface of the verge with the target roadside layby in the distance. 5.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
21. Surface of the roadside layby. The turning to continue the route is straight ahead on the left-hand side. 5.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
22. Dirt track from the roadside layby. Join then turn immediately right toward Martin Down. 5.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
23. Entering Martin Down requires going through two bridle gates. 5.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
24. Surface of footpath when first joining Martin Down. 5.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
25. Footpath through the meadow on Martin Down. 5.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
26. Path opens to a dirt/grass track ascent toward junction of footpaths. 5.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
27. Bridle gate ahead of the footpath junction. Surveyor walked around. 6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
28. Crossing the junction to a second section of meadow footpath. This was a little more overgrown that the first section. NOTE that the footpath leaving this next section was closed when surveying. If still closed and the diversion I detail is not suitable then taking the northward footpath here might be prove a viable alternative. 6.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
29. Footpath through Vernditch Chase woods closed due to dangerous trees. Here I backtracked 200m and detoured through the woods proper. 6.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
30. Image illustrating the path of the Slow Ways route in purple with 'X's marking the closed footpath. The diversion I took is marked in light green. Altogether this diversion added 1.3km to the original route. 6.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
31. [DIVERSION] Stile entrance to enter Vernditch Chase woods proper. An alternative route according to OpenStreetMaps with gate rather than stile would involve taking the footpath northward through Kitts Grave from the earlier footpath junction and turning into Vernditch Chase from there. 7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
32. [DIVERSION] Outcrop of stone with roots and woodland debris upon entering the woods. 7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
33. [DIVERSION] Footpath following the outcrop. 7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
34. [DIVERSION] Dirt track following the footpath. 7.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
35. [DIVERSION] Track hardens but with shallow ruts. 7.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
36. [DIVERSION] Track becomes more level. 7.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
37. [DIVERSION] Track condition further along. 7.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
38. [DIVERSION] Muddier section with deeper vehicle ruts. 7.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
39. [DIVERSION] Surface of the track representative for the remainder of the detour. 8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
40. [DIVERSION] Arriving at the edge of the woods to rejoin the original route. Somewhat narrow exit. 9.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
41. Other side of the closed footpath. NOTE to maintain the integrity of this photo survey I will include the backtrack and subsequent diversion in the 'km from start' counter in the photos that follow. Should the footpath reopen and be followed then subtract 1.3km for all subsequent photos to remain true to the Slow Ways route. (Formula: backtrack and detour 2.2km - original route footpath 900m = 1.3km.) 9.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
42. Quiet Hogware Road crossing to the footpath the other side. 9.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
43. Overgrown section joining the footpath after Hogware Road. 9.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
44. Footpath opening and ascending. 9.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
45. Footpath widens and takes on undulating gradient. 9.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
46. Fallen tree branch which required navigating around. 9.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
47. Reverse side of the fallen tree branch. 9.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
48. Some sections of the footpath were uneven and narrower with tree roots as pictured. 9.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
49. Upon leaving the footpath at Knighton wood, signage indicates risk of falling trees and branches in poor weather. 11.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
50. Here the Slow Ways route suggests maintaining the trajectory of the earlier footpath, crossing the road traversing a sheep enclosure then a field through a gap onto the Ox Drove. Passing through the enclosure requires climbing two unstable stiles the first being pictured, the second with no fencepost/handrail within reach. The gap onto the Ox Grove is also quite overgrown. If this is not suitable then a detour could be taken following the road left then turning right onto the Ox Grove. 11.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
51. Surface of the enclosure after the first stile. 11.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
52. Second stile leaving the enclosure and the RoW beyond mowed to stubble. The fencepost on the stile would not be within arm's reach for most. 11.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
53. Gap onto the Ox Grove quite overgrown and can be missed. It is around 5m on the left after turning right where the RoW meets the field edge. 11.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
54. Gap onto the Ox Drove. 11.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
55. Following the same trajectory is another gap on the opposite side of the Ox Grove. This too is quite overgrown. 11.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
56. Surface of path leading to an open field system. RoWs have been mowed into the crops with stubble underfoot. 11.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
57. Surface of the RoW. 11.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
58. More forgiving crop stubble. There is also a small section (<100m) of level, soft earth further along (unpictured). 12.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
59. Final section of the field thick with ripening rapeseed. The RoW is still defined but not at all inviting, so instead I just followed the field boundary around to the target junction of footpaths. 13 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
60. [DIVERSION] Surface of the field boundary circumnavigating the RoW. 13.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
61. Reaching the junction of footpaths and leaving the open field system the gap in between the tree-lined field boundary is quite overgrown. Note the signage for Cranborne Chase Drove which the Slow Ways route follows for a time. 13.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
62. Footpath following the junction over stubble turnips. Just beyond this there is a 150m section of uncropped earth which is quite even (unpictured). 13.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
63. The footpath soon joins a gravel and chalk track as it passes Faulston Hole with at quite a steep descent with a gradient of approx. -11% (unpictured). This levels and the surface changes to the dirt track above. 14.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
64. The route takes a right turn and passes through a livestock gate. The open meadowed footpath that follows has a descent up to -11% for 350m. 14.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
65. The meadowed footpath arrives at a concrete track. The Slow Ways route turns right and ascending the grass slope seen in the distance upon the right. After ascending it then gently undulates, running parallel to the concrete track later rejoining it. As such this grass section is not essential. 15 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
66. After rejoining the concrete track, toward the end is a manor house residential estate. Enter as pictured through to the circular drive. There is a grass slope leading to the footpath visible on the right-hand side of the far house. 16.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
67. Footpath surface. Somewhat overgrown in places. NOTE toward the end of this section the Slow Ways route seems to suggest taking a shortcut off the footpath via a couple of stiles - I'm not sure if this is intentional or poor plotting. Assuming it was a plotting issue I followed the path to the end where it meets the gravel road, avoiding the stiles. 16.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
68. Footpath ends at a gravel road. Turn left and round past the church and continue along the font of the cottages at the bottom. 16.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
69. Past the cottages route joins a tarmac farm road. Bear left through the wooden livestock gate to a sheep enclosure. 16.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
70. This section of footpath undulated quite a lot. Pictured shows a narrow section with roots and overgrown nettles. 17.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
71. Sloped section leading up to stile leaving the enclosure. 17.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
72. Stile is quite unstable so care need be taken. Following this is a 500m footpath along a field boundary which is quite overgrown but still defined. 17.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
73. Exit through a pedestrian gate onto a level, well-maintained dirt footpath under tree cover. 17.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
74. The footpath toward the end gives way to a dirt track and meets a livestock gate without catch. The track becomes more compact turning to tarmac as it meets the A354 into Coombe Bissett. 18.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
75. The A354 through Coombe Bissett. This is a 30mph zone that pedestrians regularly traverse, but care should still be taken. Look to cross the road to the opposite pavement here when able. 18.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
76. Cross Homington Road to take the paved bridge over the river. NOTE the pavement along the bridge is quite narrow at approx. 50cm and will feel quite close to the traffic, so if preferred you can enter Homington Road and around the corner take the step-free pedestrian path footbridge over the river just before the shop instead. 18.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
77. [OPTIONAL] Step-free pedestrian bridge crossing the river, accessible via Homington Road. 18.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
78. Continue past the pub along the well-maintained compact gravel footpath until you are level with the junction where Stratford Tony Road and the A354 intersect. 18.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
79. Once level with the footpath across the junction verge, cross the road when safe and follow the pavement to Startford Tony Road. NOTE that there is no pavement after the verge so care needs to be taken when moving out onto the road. A short section of pavement does follow before heading onto Drove Lane (unpictured). 18.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
80. Ascent up Drove Lane. It's a country road with occasional traffic including small lorries in the first 700m, but there are handful of passing places to help. NOTE the Slow Ways route is badly drawn at the end of Drove Lane where it seems to cut off the topmost part of the road. Just follow the road until it meets Old Shaftesbury Drove instead. 19 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
81. Surface of Old Shaftesbury Drove. Most of it is quite even but some sections are muddy with deep vehicle ruts as pictured. 20.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
82. Look out for a bridleway sign on the left-hand side. The path joining is quite narrow overgrown but soon opens up. 21.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
83. Bridle path giving way to loose gravel track. Undulating at first then involving a reasonably steep, stony descent. 22 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
84. Leaving the gravel track onto a field boundary footpath. 22.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
85. Surface of footpath. 22.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
86. Rounding the field boundary footpath becomes more even as it ascends. Following this around it becomes very uneven, only to return to a solid footpath again on the decline (unpictured). 22.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
87. Exiting onto the footpath under tree cover south of Harnham. 23.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
88. Steep section of footpath with a few roots underfoot. 23.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
89. Undulating surface of footpath. 23.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
90. Turning left heading toward Harnham footpath becomes concrete for a period. 23.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
91. Path returns to dirt. Somewhat uneven in places with overgrowing nettles. 23.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
92. Turning right to join the tarmac path into Harnham. Cycle barriers. Remainder of route remains level tarmac hereon. 23.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
93. Second cycle barriers leaving the path onto Neverhampton Road. When reaching the road turn right and follow the pavement and cross at the zebra crossing (unpictured). 24 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
94. Path after crossing Neverhampton Road. Behind is a pair of cycle barriers (unpictured), with another at the far end as seen here. Next crosses a residential cul-de-sac (Old Meadows Walk) where the path continues exiting onto Lower Street. 24.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
95. Lower Street. Cross the quiet road following the signage to the Old Mill pub. 24.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
96. Path toward the Old Mill pub. Anti-vehicle barriers. 24.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
97. Path heading toward Harnham Watermeadows. 24.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
98. Harnham Watermeadows. 24.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
99. Footbridge exiting Harnham Watermeadows onto Queen Elizabeth Gardens. 25.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
100. Path through QE Gardens. There are a couple of step-free short footbridges along the route (unpictured). 25.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
101. Pavement surface through Salisbury itself (Crane Street pictured here). 25.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024