Mill Copse & ROfford Marsh

5.5km / 3.5 miles | 1hr 30mins

Starting at Off The Rails follow the former railway line towards Freshwater. After a short distance you will reach a gate on your left signposted Y1, take this and follow the path to a large wooden gate. Enter Mill Copse and continue straight ahead until you reach a T junction in the footpath. 

Bear right through the woodland, you will soon see a wooden stile which you need to cross, take the footpath along the field boundary going down hill. Continue on this footpath through the hollow between fields until you reach the road.

Taking care, cross the road at Wilmingham Lane, follow green finger post Y1 towards Broad Lane keeping the hedgerow on your left hand side.

Once you reach Broad Lane, turn left and walk the road heading downhill towards the village of Thorley. At the crossroads, continue ahead on Hill Place Lane. Follow the lane as it winds past New Close Farm, just after the second bend you will see a stile on your left hand side. Look for a green finger post Y5 to Thorley Road, heading directly over the field.

The footpath cuts behind some private gardens and brings you out on an unmade road. Follow the sign towards Thorley Manor and Church Ruins. The footpath has a fenced orchard on the left hand side.

The footpath narrows as you approach Thorley Manor with a tall conifer boundary hedge. Make a left dog leg to stay on the footpath and avoid walking through the Manor’s front garden. This path leads you out onto Thorley Road. Turn right towards the barns walking the grass verge at the road side. 

Just past the yard on your right you will see a green finger post ‘Y4 Church Ruins’. This is an optional short detour and takes in the old ruins of Old St Swithun's Church - built in the 13th century and demolished in 1871. Just the cemetery and mortuary chapel remain.

Continue on Thorley Road walking the right hand verge. Past the lay-by you will see a green finger post Y2 on the opposite side of the road. Carefully cross the road and go over the stile towards Yarmouth with the copse on your left and the marsh on your right.

Follow the footpath until it starts to turn North.  Head towards the telegraph pole in the field to find a footpath marker, continue through thicket and over two small wooden bridges. You will soon emerge from the path and arrive back at Off The Rails.