The Alice Lisle Walking Guide

Using some local knowledge we have been able to design some great walks starting and finishing at the Alice Lisle.

If you’re planning a group walk, please get in contact with us to hear all that we can offer.

1.7 Miles Distance

The Alice Lisle Rockford Green, , BH24 3NA Tel: 01425 474700 Email: [email protected]

A tour of Rockford, Ivy and Lakes

Time 40 minutes non-stop but allow up to 1.5 hours for wildlife spotting.

Distance 1.7 miles Easy - gentle, flat walk suitable for children. Wellies/boots advisable during and after wet spells. Take binoculars if possible.

With your back to the pub head down the left hand side of the car park. At the junction with the road turn left on to the Avon Valley Footpath heading for Salisbury.

Follow the footpath for about 200 yards then turn left leaving the . The new path runs parallel with Dockens Water an important tributary of the River Avon.

A quarter of a mile further down the path you will see the angling club’s car park (and portable toilet) at the edge of Rockford Lake. Part of the car park is made up of the concrete slabs, which formed part of the runway extension at RAF Ibsley a WWII base for the RAF and USAAF. The base opened in 1941 and ceased flying operations in 1946. In 1952 the airfield was converted into a motor racing circuit. In the early 1960’s the land was sold to Amey Roadstone who used the old runway for hard core aggregate and extracted the rich sand and gravel deposits from what are now the lakes.

After another 100 yards (ignoring the new bridge to the right) keep straight on entering the Blashford Lakes Wildlife Area.

Keep on this path signposted to Main Car Park and Other Hides until you reach a left turn signposted Ivy Lane and viewing scree

The path follows the western edge of Rockford Lake and offers lots of opportunities to view the abundant bird life on both Rockford and Ivy Lakes on the right hand side. There are two viewing screens overlooking Ivy Lake. The fence around the lake is designed to prevent a growing otter population from feasting on the fish.

The path ends on reaching Ivy Lane.

Here with the sign for the Roach Pit directly opposite, turn left and after a few yards turn right into the lane leading into Spinnaker Sailing Club. Go left on to the Avon Valley Path, which at first follows the edge of Spinnaker Dinghy Park and then the edge of Blashford Lake until you reach the Gorley Rd at Ivy Cottage.

Go through the gate and keep straight on crossing the cattle grid before reaching your starting point in The Alice Lisle Inn car park.