Fonthill Estate Lake Walk
Enjoy a lovely circular walk around the village of Fonthill Bishop on this circular walk near Salisbury in Wiltshire. There's much to enjoy with woodland trails, countryside views and a waterside section along the pretty Fonthill Lake.
The walk starts in the village and then climbs south east towards Ridge Hill, passing through woodland along the way. It's a moderate climb to a height of over 500ft with great views of the Wiltshire countryside from the high points.
At Ridge Hill you turn south west, descending to Fonthill Lake. The large lake is 1.6 km (1 mi) long and about 100 m (328 ft) wide. It's a beautiful, peaceful spot with Mandarin ducks and Swans to look out for on the water. The lake was used as the location for the filming of all the river scenes in the film Chocolat with Johnny Depp. At the southern end of the lake you can pick up a footpath along the River Nadder and visit Tisbury village if you have time.
This route then follows the lake north past Fonthill Park to the village. It's a lovely section with nice views across the lake to the surrounding woodland and farmland.
Postcode
SP3 5SF - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsFonthill Estate Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Fonthill Estate Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Fonthill Estate OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Fonthill Estate Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To extend your walking in the area you could pick up the Wessex Ridgeway Trail long distance footpath. The trail runs through nearby Hindon and will take you north to the Great Ridge Forest.
The Monarch's Way also runs right through Fonthill Bishop. You could pick up the trail and head west to the pretty Mackintosh Davidson Wood Nature Reserve.
Just to the east of the village is the splendid Dinton Park. Here you will find extensive parkland and woodland surrounding a Neo-Grecian house.
To the south is the Grade I listed Old Wardour Castle. There's some nice footpaths to follow around the woods and countryside surrounding the 14th century castle.
To the west there's the expansive Fonthill Abbey Woods around Fonthill Gifford village.
Just to the south is the pretty village of Compton Abbas where you can visit Fontmell and Melbury Downs, Compton Abbas Airfield and the highest point in the Cranborne Chase AONB at Win Green Hill.
Click here for more walks in the Cranborne Chase AONB.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Fonthill Lake. Looking across the lake towards the parkland.
Dam, Fonthill Lake. The Fonthill Stream cascades down the waterfall to join the River Nadder at Tisbury.
Edge of Little Ridge Wood near Fonthill House. This is the northern edge of Little Ridge Wood looking out over a field to Pinchpenny Clump on a chalk ridge.
Village green at Fonthill Bishop
A pony and alpaca at Fonthill Bishop
All Saints Church, Fonthill Bishop