Dan posted an update
7 months ago (edited)
Pepperbox Hill, Wiltshire
Late August 2025
I headed to Pepperbox Hill to bag a trig point and visit the Pepperbox, also known as Eyre’s Folly. From the moment I entered the common and wooded area – which is the whole stretch of woodland, not just the section around the tower- I only saw one dog walker.
The woodland itself is a long, narrow strip between farmland, with a few protruding sections that dangle down into the farmer’s fields. I entered via one of these protruding bits from the village of Whiteparish and Pill Hill.
This led through some dark woodland, then a large open overgrown area with a handful of trees. II followed a path that then joined a wider track. The track is clearly used by farming and woodland vehicles and runs along at least half the length of the spine of the woodland.
It was narrow but had plenty of trees suitable for a hammock. I also came across a well-maintained mountain biking jump-and-dip area. .
The trig point took a bit of effort. After reading up on its location, I found it in a recently harvested wheat field, which did involve hopping over a barbed-wire fence.
By the time I reached the Pepperbox/Eyre’s Folly, light was fading and I was treated to another awesome sunset and a colourful sky. I took some shots and headed to a quiet area on the edge of the woodland, beside a fence which had farmland on the other side.
It was away from the main paths, with flat ground and plenty of trees for a hammock. Around the tower itself there are also wide grass areas, benches and viewing points with level ground beneath the woodland.
There’s a small car park near the folly, and for that reason I chose to camp a little further away, where it was quieter.
Coordinates:
GPS:SU 21557 24749
Google maps:51°01’18.1″N 1°41’38.5″W
What3words:II/bake.delivers.greed
Getting there:
I parked just off the A27 on Common Road by All Saints Church. Whiteparish has plenty of free on-street parking.
From there, I walked along Pill Lane and continued up until I reached the common. The distance from my camp back to where I parked was about 5.43 km (3.37 miles).
There is also a free car park right next to the folly, just off the A36. It isn’t well signposted, but from Google Maps it appears to be a well-maintained gravel track that leads through woodland, with the car park entrance on the right.
I can’t say whether this car park is busy or even safe to leave a vehicle in overnight.
Heads up:
I only saw one person the whole time. The drone of cars from the A36 is constant throughout the night.
Good phone and internet signal.
#wiltshire #pepperboxhill #folly #woodland #trigpoint #wildcamp #bivicamp #eyresfolly #pepperbox
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