Hare Warren Woods, Wilton, Wiltshire

Early October 2025

My original plan wasn’t to camp where I eventually did. The intention was to head this way to bag the two trig points at Bishopstone Down and Compton Hut, then camp near Compton Badge. It didn’t quite go to plan.

I parked on Portfield Road and headed to the entrance of the Lorenzo Trail at Hare Warren. I followed the forest trails for a while before exiting near a pig farm, where I was met with multiple private land and no right of way signs.

I continued into an area known as Punch Bowl Bottom. From there, the path reached a crossroads between farms. Once again, every access point was marked with private land and no access signs.

I couldn’t access the pig farm field, and I’m fairly sure the Bishopstone Down trig point was somewhere within it. I asked a few locals, but none were familiar with the trig points or the rights of way. I had the feeling that some of the signage was not genuine, but I wasn’t prepared to find out.

According to the WhataWalk website, there is a short bridleway in the area. However, the entrance gate was clearly marked as private property with no access allowed.

With the light fading and no secluded spots suitable for a hammock around Punch Bowl Bottom, I took the loss and headed back the way I’d come and camp closer to where I’d parked. The woodland there was larger, more suitable, and it would be less of a walk back to the car in the morning.

I followed the Lorenzo Trail back, crossed Portfield Road, and entered a large area of woodland on the opposite side. I left the paths, and I headed deeper into the forest.

This section of woodland has many footpaths and mountain bike trails running roughly parallel to Portfield Road. There’s no shortage of trees for a hammock, along with plenty of flat ground suitable for tents or bivis.

During the early evening I heard distant voices of people walking along the forest paths, but no one came anywhere near my camp. It was a quiet night, and I slept well.

Getting there:

I parked on Portfield Road, which has several lay-by parking spots. I was a little dubious about leaving the car there overnight, but it was fine. There is also a small car park on Portfield Road at the entrance to the Lorenzo Trail at Hare Warren. I think there’s space for a handful of cars.

Heads Up:

The Lorenzo Trail is in a small patch of woodland that was busy with dog walkers. It has a car park along Portfield Road, and the woodland has many paths through and around the woodland.

Good phone and internet signal.

Coordinates:

GPS: SU 08477 28819

Google Maps: 51°03’31.1″N 1°52’49.4″W

What3words: users.flicks.satellite

#wiltshire #harewarren #woodland #forest #hammockcamp #ddhammocks #wildcamp

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