Instructions for those wishing to walk. Two choices, you can start from my home, No. 18, RG24 9SA or you can drive to Sherborne St John Pavilion, park there and meet us at the lane next to St Andrews Church at 10.45 a.m.
The plan is to walk across the fields to The Vyne, have a coffee there, walk around the site and then walk back. We weren’t asked for our National Trust card, but I would advise bringing yours if you have one in case. We could call into The Swan at Sherborne for a drink before finishing the walk back to Florence Way.
The paths are straightforward although we do have to cross the Tadley Road next to the Ambulance Station so care will be taken.
The path surface was good when Carolyn and I did the recce, but it may be a little muddy now, so I would recommend boots.
The walk overall is about 7 – 8 miles there and back, but obviously less if joining us at Sherborne.
Please get in touch if you have any queries.
Lynn Martin 07485 475372 lemartin351@gmail.com
| Description | Information |
| Day & Date of Walk | Wednesday, 8th October 2025 |
| Location of walk | Rooksdown to The Vyne, Sherborne St John and back |
| Distance of Walk | 8 miles approximately, circular walk |
| Start Time & Place (Meet 10 mins before start) | RG24 9SA Number 18. Start at 10.00 a.m. |
| Leader | Lynn Martin |
| Leaders’s Contact Details | 07485 475372 lemartin351@gmail.com |
| Walk description / difficulty | Not difficult – good paths, 1 field with 2 small horses, short section of road. Care to be taken crossing the Tadley to Basingstoke road at the Ambulance Station and on the return |
| Terrain | Good paths, spinney, mainly farmland, woods, uphill on the return from Sherborne to Rooksdown |
| Number of Stiles | No stiles, several gates |
| Distance to start | 3 miles |
| Where we are parking | Park at Number 18 Florence Way, Rooksdown, Basingstoke RG24 9SA, space for 3 cars/4 small cars, car share please |
| Sat Nav Reference | |
| Directions to start of walk | Oakley to Basingstoke B3400 to roundabout 1st left Roman Road to end of road, roundabout 2nd exit into Rooksdown Way, left into Gilles Way, 1st right into Florence Way, keep left to end of cul de sac number 18 on left. |
| Where we can eat/drink (If applicable) | The Swan public house, toilets, we could eat there on return journey and the café at The Vyne, National Trust, toilets |
| Other notes | If anyone wants to meet at St Andrews Church instead of walking from Florence Way, we will aim to be there by 10.45. I would advise parking at the Recreation Ground at Sherborne St John and walk back to the church. Dogs are allowed on a lead. |
| Please note: Walkers are responsible for their own safety when walking. Slips, falls and other mishaps are bound to happen occasionally. Neither the Oakley Ramblers Club nor individual walk leaders can accept responsibility for accidents that may occur on walks. | |
| Please inform the walk leader if you suffer from a condition that may require intervention, eg. Angina or Diabetes etc. | |
See attachment below for a downloadable/printable version of the walk.
Oakley Ramblers 