Wilsal one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Wilsal here.

Update June 2024:

Having checked part of this route again there were a number of fallen trees between Netherhampton and Harnham. I have added details and photographs of these obstacles at the end of this review.

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I feel this route is well-suited for those who would prefer a less urban/residential path between Wilton and Salisbury as found in Wilsal Two and Three, but find Wilsal Four a little too indirect.

It does include a road section which has been rightly flagged for safety in the other reviews. Providing users are comfortable navigating this, Wilsal One is a worthwhile addition to the Slow Ways network.

Impressions and Observations:

For this review I followed this route as indicated on a clear summer's evening, from Wilton to the Salisbury meeting point. I was keen to review it for Slow Ways as for the most part it follows the "usual" course I take when walking between the two settlements several times a year.

In contrast to another review, I found the section along Home Farm Road quite peaceful aglow as it was in the setting sun. No doubt this was heightened following the somewhat uneventful ascent leaving Wilton proper. On previous occasions here I've spotted the odd raven from Wilton House perched upon a fence post which brings some joy also.

I do wholly agree with the other reviewers that caution should be exercised for the 100m section of the aptly-named Race Plain Road that follows, with traffic in both directions, plus the "slip road" joining it being blind on the approach. Though I saw little traffic when I walked it at half past 8 on a Saturday evening, I was conscious to bear in mind the layout and position myself such that any vehicles would be aware of my presence in good time.

Entering Netherhampton there isn't any signage indicating there is a pedestrian underpass for the A3094 – in fact until I saw it on this Slow Ways route I had no idea it existed. This would be a boon if it weren't for some parked vehicles which forced me onto the road in order to get past them. That said depending on the time of day it might well still be preferable to crossing over the A3094 as it is a fairly busy road.

Netherhampton after the A3094 is quite pleasant to pass through. Leaving the village, as one reviewer mentioned, the diagonal footpath across the two fields following does feel more inviting than circumnavigating as per the Slow Ways route. Now having tried both the diagonal path firmly remains my preference all things being equal, as it feels (and is) more direct, adds another dimension to the route, and at this time of year the path less arduous. That said the first wooded section is by no means unpleasant if a little uneven, so it is good to have options.

Taking the Town Path through the Harnham Watermeadows is a final mark firmly in this route's favour - it is a superb and unique way to enter the city at a leisurely pace I thoroughly recommend taking.

Original Photographs:

1) View along Home Farm Road 1
2) View along Home Farm Road 2
3) Passing a footbridge on the footpath under tree cover between Netherhampton and Harnham

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Update June 2024:

4) Large fallen tree across the footpath running the perimeter of the field following Netherhampton

Under tree cover between Netherhampton and Harnham:

5) Fallen tree across the footpath
6) Fallen tree over the footpath with around 5.5 feet clearance underneath
7) Branches from a fallen tree across the footpath.

I walked and surveyed this route yesterday, and found it great. I would have given it 5 stars but for the 0.17 mi section of road between Home Farm Road and the A3094. At the time of day I walked it, it was very quiet, but I am aware it is a rat run to the South Coast ( as I used to regularly use it myself ), cars travel at speed, but it is straight. I ignored the underpass bit, by just crossing the A3094. Shame the Victoria and Albert pub has bitten the dust. I also failed to see why the route went from the A3094 down to the 'Aqueduct', I did it because I was surveying the route, but it was most disappointing, the path diagonally across the field looked far more inviting( plus save 0.10 mi ). As a non local I defer to the other reviewers about other options.

Walked on a sunny morning in May. pleasant EXCEPT section near Netherhampton turning left on to the B road and then right on to A3094. There is no avoiding this and no footpath. I spoke to the landlady of V and A pub opposite the church who says there is a local campaign for a walking route from the village into Wilton. If the foxhounds are in their field there is a couple of hundred metres of a pack of digs barking at you behind a high wire fence. ( maybe only if you have a dog with you as I did?) The long straight walk on the road from Wilton beside the wall of Wilton house is also a bit of a drag but at least there’s a footpath.
I’ve walked this route in Nov-Feb and best avoided as diagonal path across the fields can be too muddy. Harnham and the town path’ into Salisbury is a nice walk with good views of the cathedral Personally though I would take the route vie Broken Bridges and round the back of the industrial estate-although no route shown on map it is a beautiful walk beside the river ( again no good after weeks of heavy rain as can be underwater) and it finishes at the train station (again a shout unpleasant bit 500 metres or so beside the road on pavement)
No stiles, one ‘kissing gate’ one other gate. Too dangerous for a buggy and my dog got spooked by the recycling lorry working
The photo is taken on the diagonal path- imagine it after weeks of rain!.

The difficulty of finding a good Slow Ways route between Wilton and Salisbury is the busy Churchfields Industrial Estate at the Salisbury end and the large private Wilton Estate at the Wilton end. WilSal 1 skirts the West and South side of the Wilton Estate and goes to the South of the Industrial Estate.
PLEASE NOTE I WALKED THIS ROUTE IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION i.e. SalWil, from Salisbury to Wilton, on Sunday 1st May.
Although I walked the route as shown, my choice for the Salisbury end of the route would be along Butcher Row, left hand side of Silver Street, across High Street at the pedestrian lights, along Bridge Street to the pub and then turn left along the path beside the river to Crane Street. Turn right on Crane Street, across the river and then cross Crane Street at the zebra crossing and go straight ahead along the footpath beside the river until this path meets the WilSal 1 route to cross the bridge in Queen Elizabeth Gardens. The Town Path is good and interesting. Beware on Lower and Middle Streets that there are parts with no pavement and a section is on a bus route. There is a footpath in the field to the North of Middle Street that can be used for part of the way. Once you get off the road and onto the tracks/footpaths, it depends exactly which one you walk along, as there are several possibilities, but I think all of the possible paths have at least two metal kissing gates - into/out of woods/fields and from path onto A 3094 Netherhampton Road. This part of the route is interesting for plants, birds, butterflies etc. and there is a choice of whether to walk directly across the fields or to keep in the woods or along the edge of the fields. Between this point and Wilton, the route is entirely along roads, apart from a tiny detour on a track that goes UNDER A3094 Netherhampton Road. At this point the WilSal 1 line looks as if the detour goes around the edge of a small field to the South side of the Netherhampton Road. This is NOT so. The track goes under the road and then directly up beside the road on the other side. Then comes the most 'dangerous' part of the route, as one has to cross the Race Plain Road and walk along the edge of it before turning off right around the South side of the Wilton Estate. Although Race Plain Road is not a 'main' road it is busy, vehicles travel along it fairly fast and it is not very wide. I was very glad when I turned off. The road along the Southern edge of the Wilton Estate is a private road with gates at two points along the way. Clearly these are sometimes chained shut - one was shut when I walked. There is just a small slip-track beside each gate, for pedestrians, when the gate is shut. Although this road is quiet it is not very interesting to walk along. On turning right onto Portfield Road there is a long section where you have to walk on the pavement between busy road and high Western wall of the Wilton Estate - not what I would choose. The route then goes along South Street and left into West Street Wilton.
I tried to add some photos, but the system only seemed to be able to accept one and I wanted to put in several. It would be good if the system could show all the photos and then one could edit them.
I will suggest another possible route, which, I have to admit, is not perfect, but I prefer it.

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