Dan posted an update
a year ago (edited)
Grovely Wood/ Castle near Salisbury, Wiltshire
Late March 2025
The moment I arrived and entered the grounds via the Roman Road, I felt a buzz. This place made me feel so good. I wasn’t sure why – but I was alone and didn’t see another person until I returned to my car the next day.
I knew nothing about the area beforehand, so when I got home, I looked it up. Turns out it has quite a few eerie and ghostly tales linked to it. I’m not sure if that added to the feeling I had, or if it was just the right place at the right time.
The Roman Road section has some areas with public access and some that are private, as it runs through a private estate. There were plantation trees dotted about and also the famous Handsel trees, which are incredible to see.
Walking further into the woods and through the estate, you eventually reach what I think is Grovely Wood proper – much wilder and more natural. I saw plenty of deer along the way, and in the morning, I caught sight of some small deer I’d never seen before. Someone on social media told me they were Muntjac, a Chinese species that’s been introduced to the UK and spread to this area.
It took me around two hours to walk from where I parked to where I eventually emerged into the Iron Age hillfort of Grovely Castle. The night was cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing and a biting wind blowing through.
I could have camped on the flat grass within the hillfort itself, but I opted for a bit more shelter from the wind – and I thought there might be early morning visitors coming to catch the sunrise.
There were amazing views from the hillfort out over the surrounding hills. I had a great night camping at the edge of the forest, and the next morning brought a cracking sunrise.
I’m still not sure who owns the forest. The track I followed had a lot of fallen trees and as I emerged from the woods onto the hillfort, I spotted some spent shotgun cartridges on the ground. It could be privately owned with public rights of way, or perhaps someone from the nearby farms hunts in the area.
Either way, the forest is incredible and well worth a visit. There are plenty of spots for hammocks, as well as flat areas for a tent or bivi. I didn’t see anyone at the hillfort itself – just lots of flat grass and grassy ramparts/banks that would make great places to set up camp.
Coordinates:
GPS: SU 04730 35464
Google map: 51°07’06.4″N 1º56’01.2″W
What3words: shifting.lightly.telephone
Getting there:
I had a look on Komoot, and there are routes and rights of way leading in from the north and from Steeple Langford, as well as from Great Wishford to the west.
Wilton offers plenty of free on-road parking options. I parked on a road called The Hollows, just on the edge of Wilton, and walked in from there. It’s roughly 1.3 miles (2.09 km) from there to the start of the Roman Road and the edge of the woodland and private estate.
There’s also a Grovely Wood visitor car park located right on the edge of the wood, along Grovely Road. According to Google, the address is:
2 Grovely Rd, Salisbury SP3 4NR.
One review mentioned that the car park is small and not well maintained – but it’s an option if you want to park closer. I don’t know if there are any restrictions regarding overnight parking or whether it is advisable to leave a vehicle unattended overnight.Heads up:
Nothing really to worry about. The only thing I can think of is the blurry lines between private and public land and access – also the shotgun cartridges.
Good mobile phone and internet reception
#wildcamp #tentcamp #wiltshire #grovelywood #grovelycastle #trigpoint
1 Comment
Plenty of flat grass on the hillfort. There are also ramparts/ raised mounds which provide some cover
