Lambley and Woodborough

Step 1

We start in Woodborough, parking free at the Village Hall by the school on Lingwood Lane, near the village centre. The nearby ‘Four Bells’ pub could be used if you’re eating or drinking there later. (See later below for a short cut)

Turn right from the car park and right again at Main Street by St Swithun’s Church for a beautiful display of snowdrops in February. Well-tended gardens brighten your way through the village to the Nag’s Head pub at the east end. Follow the road right then left, passing the end of Old Manor Close. About 120 yards further, turn right at a bridleway signpost at the Old Manor Cottage, taking this path to the main track via a gate. (This is a change)

Step 2

Just before the caravan site ahead, bear left on to a rough farm track up to a gate at Point 1. On the hilltop left lies Ploughman Wood, worth a detour at bluebell time by climbing from this point with the hedgerow left. Return the same way unless you have a reliable map. (NOTE There is a short cut to this gate from the Village Hall car park. Bear right across the playing field behind the Hall (avoiding a cricket pitch), across a footbridge, turning right on the path then left at the field corner to this very spot. Much shorter, but may be muddy).

Step 3

Continuing, pass over two fields with a deep ditch on your right, then at the third field continue ahead uphill. You will soon see a liquid fertiliser silo ahead, beside a signpost. Turn right here on a path towards the road. (If crops block the climb, take the longer path right, by the hedgerow, to the same point at the road)

Step 4

If returning to Woodborough, turn right along the road about 500 yards to Point 3 on the map. If going via Lambley, don’t go on the road, but turn left, inside the hedgerow, where a grassy track soon takes you past a grass runway to the aircraft hangar of a private flying club. You may see several gleaming light aircraft outside – a fine sight. On to the road via the open gate or over a stile in front, to the road.

Step 5

A few yards ahead, to the left of the large ‘Lambley’ road sign, find the narrow gap between hedges, continuing over 2 stiles (single file) to a field entrance. Continue across this, on the path straight ahead just left of houses in front of you. After passing the ends of a few gardens, you reach a stile and gate, to pass through several more, peering guiltily down into kitchens right. You can’t help wondering if you’re on the right footpath – but you are. This foot path is a very old right-of-way, existing before these gardens were enlarged. Nevertheless, walk with a confident smile and consideration. Someone may be watching…

Step 6

Eventually, you will see this green path ahead which becomes fenced on your left. You can definitely smile confidently at anyone you meet here – they’re used to it! Where the fence starts to curve left, go down the two flights of steps right, to the road – Green Lane. Take care at the bottom – it’s fast downhill for traffic. Turn left down to the left bend where the Woodlark Restaurant may tempt you. 250 yards further left, a diversion to Lambley Church may offer a quieter, more contemplative atmosphere—or you could do both!

Step 7

For a shorter, easier walk, from The Woodlark turn right on to The Dumbles, a wide lane passing delightful gardens for about 400 yards, up to a field-gate on the right at Point 2.

See below Alternatively, an even more interesting route takes you up the narrow path just to the right of the Woodlark, over a stream and up to the first road. Turn right here, to the end where a glance back shows Lambley Church.

Step 8
A sign and stile leads you round a field corner, then left along a hedgerow beyond which lies the deep gorge of Lambley Dumble. During Spring you may hear a cacophonous cawing from the large rookery in the trees above.

Step 9
Continue for about 300 yards parallel to this gorge, until you reach an interesting information sign about the area. Pass to its right, down the steps and over the wooden footbridge for a close-up view of the gorge. Up to the path on the other side, you’ll see the same gate that The Dumbles lane reaches at Point 2. The sign must be taken seriously – give cows with calves a wide berth, especially if you have a dog with you. Do not push your luck here!

Step 10
Through the gate to a field sloping up to a white gate on the far side. Pass through to two further fields with a blackberry hedgerow left, on to a corner in the third field where the track bears left to the road. Exit via a kissing-gate left on to a bend on Lingwood Lane at Point 3.

Step 11

Time for a drink? It gets easier now. Go through the small gate left on to Hungerhill Lane, continuing for just half-mile (3/4 kilometre) to a well- signed bridleway. Turn right between trees where roots and mud demand care. Uphill for 2 fields to another bridleway sign turning you right on to a grassy path with a fine view over Wood Barn Farm to Ploughman Wood.

Step 12
Go straight on over 2 fields with a hedgerow left, where you may see small tortoiseshell butterflies playing games – or even a peacock.

At a third field, through a gate to put the fence on your left, on to a gate then a kissing gate out to Lingwood Lane.

Step 13
If tired, go the short route to the Village Hall, left down the road for half-a-mile. Shortly before the Village Hall you will pass The Old School House with a history back to 1878 – Woodborough’s first free school after the 1870 Education Act.

Step 14
For almost the same distance, another short alternative is go through both gates, turn right on the road, down to the first sign post on the left. Follow this clear path through {past a zig-zag) until it exits at a gate in the corner of the field where you may have taken the short cut from the start. See the map. If game for another mile, don’t go through the two gates on to the road, but turn left in the field. With the hedgerow on your right, you can follow this path up and back to edge of Woodborough.

Step 15
At the top of the hill, go through two gates, then down past Bank Hill Farm, where you’ll exit, turning right, opposite the former frame knitters’ cottages. Down to the T-junction, then right again through the village to The Four Bells left, or Lingwood Lane and the Village Hall up right. Interesting and a bit different, wasn’t it?