Martinsell Hill Circular
Wiltshire
Martinsell Hill rises to 289 metres on the northern rim of the Vale of Pewsey, part of the North Wessex Downs, its summit plateau open access land where a dog with reliable recall can range widely, ringed by the banks and ditches of an Iron Age hillfort. The steep chalk grassland is rich in cowslips, orchids and chalkhill blue butterflies. This 4.1km circuit starts from the small car park on Mud Lane, just east of the hill, and climbs gently onto open access land, crossing the plateau to a lone summit tree before looping back. The White Horse Trail and Mid Wilts Way meet on the hill, and you can follow the ridge west to the Giant's Grave promontory fort above Oare for a longer walk. Expect around 80 metres of climbing on grass and chalk tracks, with loose flints underfoot.
This is a dog friendly walk and a good one for dogs who like space. The open access land on the plateau gives real room to run for a dog with reliable recall, but cattle graze the hill at times, so look ahead and put your dog on a lead when they are in sight. There is no water on the hill and little shade outside the patches of woodland, so bring water on warm days. The steep scarp edges are best walked with dogs close. The car park is small and free, with no facilities, and pubs are in Wootton Rivers and Pewsey.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.1 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Peak
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route; pubs in Wootton Rivers and Pewsey.
- Parking
- Small free car park on Mud Lane, east of the hill, between Oare and Clench Common.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Martinsell Hill Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Riverside Cottage - Winchester
Sleeps 8 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £2,570 / 7 nights
Old Stable - Cirencester
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £494 / 7 nights
Rough Grounds Farmhouse
Sleeps 12 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £2,100 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in WiltshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Martinsell Hill Circular dog friendly?
Martinsell Hill Circular earns a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness, and it's easy to see why — the open access plateau gives dogs with good recall real room to stretch their legs across sweeping downland. The main things to keep in mind are seasonal cattle grazing and the lack of water on the hill, but with a bit of planning it's a genuinely rewarding outing for dogs who love space and open air.
Can dogs be off lead at Martinsell Hill Circular?
The summit plateau is open access land, so dogs with reliable recall can roam freely across a good stretch of it. That said, cattle do graze the hill at times, so you'll want to scan ahead and lead your dog whenever livestock are in sight — and it's worth keeping dogs close near the steep scarp edges too.
What should I know before visiting Martinsell Hill Circular with my dog?
There's no water on the hill and limited shade away from the woodland patches, so bring enough water for your dog, especially on warmer days. The 4.1km route involves around 80 metres of climbing on grass and chalk tracks with loose flints underfoot, so it's worth checking your dog's paws. There are no facilities at the small free car park on Mud Lane, but pubs in Wootton Rivers and Pewsey make a good post-walk stop.
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Martinsell Hill Car Park, Mud Lane, Wootton Rivers, Marlborough SN8 4PA
51.3792, -1.7377
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