Mottisfont estate walk
Discover the diverse Mottisfont estate on a varied walk through ancient woodlands and historic farmland. This walk takes in part of the Test Way and showcases some of the best of Hampshire countryside. Look out for fingerpost signs and waymarkers to guide you along the route. The route is designed to be walked anti-clockwise, but is waymarked in both directions.
Changes to the route
We've recently re-routed this walk to avoid some areas prone to flooding, and may make some minor changes over the coming weeks, following feedback from visitors. Please bear with us - thank you.
Total steps: 11
Total steps: 11
Start point
Spearywell car park, grid ref: SU316275
Step 1
Leave the car park via the gravel track next to the Spearywell information board. Continue on this path through the woods until you come to a T junction. Follow the fingerpost sign pointing left to ‘Estate walk’ to reach Cadbury junction, where a number of footpaths meet.
Step 2
Head straight across Cadbury junction, taking the path next to the map lectern. Look out for the estate walk’s blue waymarkers for guidance. Continue along this path through the woods. It gently slopes downhill and bends to the left.
Step 3
At the bottom of the hill there is another crossroads. Take the right-hand path. On this path you'll see glimpses of open fields through the trees on your left. When the path emerges out onto a grass avenue, turn left, heading out of the woods.
Step 4
As you leave the woods, keep the hedgerow to your left. You'll soon reach another junction. Go straight on and into the field beyond. Walk along this track, through three fields and a wooded area before coming to a metal gate that marks the start of Keeper’s Lane.
Step 5
Carry on along Keeper’s Lane, passing a car park and the Village Hall until you reach a road junction. At this crossroads, turn right down B3084 (Hatt Hill). Walk along the road for 355yd (325m) until you reach a metal National Trust fingerpost signing left to ‘Mottisfont Abbey’. Cross over the road and along Hatt Lane. Alternatively, continue down Hatt Hill into Dunbridge for a trip to the pub.
Step 6
There are two field paths coming off the road halfway down Hatt Lane. Your have several options here. You can take a shortcut and turn left across the field coming out opposite the National Trust estate yard. Or, continue straight on and past the Millennium Orchard. For both these routes, turn left at Mottisfont Lane and head out of the village. Or, turn right at the corner of Mottisfont Lane and walk through the village for a visit to Mottisfont house, gardens and cafés.
Step 7
Walk out of the village, tracing the boundary wall of Mottisfont’s gardens. Walk past the ornamental gates and along Oakley Road. Carry on until you reach a fingerpost signing the ‘Estate walk’ off to right. This path takes you across the back of Mottisfont’s parkland and comes out at Oakley Lane. You can return to Spearywell woods here if you'd like to finish the walk early. Turn left down Benger's Lane, turn left again just before the 60mph sign. Follow the fingerposts signing 'Spearywell Wood' across fields to the B3084 (Spearywell Lane). Turn right at the road and continue along it until you reach Spearywell car park.
Step 8
Turn left at Oakley Lane and head down the road for approximately 218yd (200m) before turning off the road at a field gate. Head round the gate and follow the path between two fields into the woodland. The path skirts around the edge of a woodland enclosure, before it turns right, and through open woodland. Carry on until the path turns off to the left leading out of the woods. To see the Oakley Oak, Mottisfont’s 800 year-old oak tree, you can turn right at Oakley Lane and head over the river. The oak is just off the ‘Oakley Beat’.
Step 9
Follow the hedgerow until you can see a turning off to the left, just before Horsebridge Road. Walk down the field verge for approximately 328yd (300m) and cross over the road at the way marker. Follow the path, keeping the woodland to your right, continuing past three more fields and going downhill. The path slowly bends round to the left and a public footpath joins on the right via a stile. Continue on and into Great Copse.
Step 10
Walk through Great Copse, keeping to the main track, ignoring several paths which branch off to the left. As you near the edge of Great Copse, the path goes through a gate across the track. You'll emerge out at the top end of the B3084 (Jerram’s Hill). Turn left and walk down the road for approximately 185yd (170m) and turn right off the road and into Spearywell wood.
Step 11
As you re-enter Spearywell, the path turns immediately left. Shortly after you reach a fork in the path. Take the right-hand path, heading towards the stacked timber. The estate path re-joins the Spearywell tracks and turns left. You'll emerge out at a crossroads: turn right. Carry on along this path as it winds through the woods and gently climbs back up to Spearywell car park. Please be aware that heavy forestry machinery is often in operation in this area during the winter months.
End point
Spearywell car park, grid ref: SU316275
Trail map
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