After the wet end to yesterdayâs walk I wake to an overcast day, but hopefully it will stay dry for day three on the Wayfarerâs Walk which will see me travel from Alresford to Soberton. After two days of walking over twenty miles todayâs section is relatively short at around fifteen miles.
Leaving my overnight accommodation at The Bell I head up West Street and just after passing the Community Centre turn right at a waymarker for the Wayfarerâs Walk. This path goes through the churchyard of St Johnâs church. Parts of the church date back to the 13th century but most of it dates from 1898 when in was virtually rebuilt.
The path passes cottages and reaches a recreational area above the railway track of the mid Hants Railway Line, this heritage railway is better known as the Watercress Line.
In 1865 a new line was constructed by the Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway Company that connected Alton to Winchester. The line provided an alternative route between London and Southampton and alongside the passenger service, which included the military from their barracks at Aldershot to embarkation at Southampton port, it was used to transport locally produced watercress. The route survived the âBeeching cutsâ of 1963 but declining use led to its closure by British Rail in 1973.
Two years later the section of line between Alresford and Alton was purchased from British Rail by The Watercress Heritage Railway Trust and they set about restoring the line and rolling stock. It is now a major tourist attraction running steam trains on a ten mile journey between Alresford and Alton.
On reaching Sun Lane I turn right and cross the railway and pause to look back along the track towards the station.
I now head south along Sun Lane which is currently on the edge of the town. I say currently because there is a major housing development under construction to my left which will see three hundred and twenty new homes built.
The road bends sharp to the right and then I soon spot the waymarker for my route on the left, crossing the road I go through a belt of trees and then head over a bridge crossing the A31.
On the other side of the bridge I find myself on the edge of Alresford Golf Club and follow the waymarkers across fairways. Back in the day when I was playing golf I had an enjoyable round on this course.
After crossing the course my route goes uphill following a hedge line on the edge of a field then enters a copse.
The path leads to the B3046 opposite the entrance to Tichborne Park, here I turn left and walk a few hundred metres beside the road then after passing a cottage I leave the road and follow a track on the left, Hinton Lane.
After 700 metres I reach a junction with Prite Lane and turn right to head downhill to another junction with the B3046, this time I cross the road and take a lane which crosses the River Itchen and reaches Cheriton Mill, here I turn left and head south.
The route now takes me through a number of pasture fields connected by wooden stiles with the River Itchen to my left.
After crossing a lane I continue across fields towards St Michaelsâs Church.
After following the Wayfarerâs Walk waymarkers through the village the route heads uphill and crosses the route of the Itchen Way and then at the next junction of paths I turn right towards the A272.
The fields I have been walking around since leaving Cheriton are the site of the Battle of Cheriton which was fought on the 29th March 1644 and was a key English Civil War victory for the Parliamentarians.
Crossing the A272 I take a lane opposite which leads into Hinton Ampner and head uphill towards Hinton Ampner Park. When the road bends to the left I follow a footpath into the park. Just before reaching the church I take a path on the left which leads into a field and passes in front of Hinton Ampner House.
This house was built in 1793 to replace a Tudor manor house built in the 1540s. The Dutton family lived in this house from 1803. The final member of the family to own the house was Ralph Dutton, the 8th Baron of Sherborne. He died in 1985 and gave the house and estate to the National Trust.
The route now passes through the estate parkland heading south towards Kilmeston Manor.
After passing Kilmeston Manor I continue south and pass through a belt of trees before reaching the village.
It is time for lunch and conveniently there is a large bench circling a tree on the village green.
Resuming my walk I go towards Kilmeston Village Hall and take the footpath on the left which soon heads across fields towards Kilmeston Down.
After ascending the down I reach a road and cross to enter woodland and within 100 metres reach a junction of tracks. Here I go left and follow a track past Wind Farm and then continue along this track with far ranging views towards Lomer Farm.
The route follows waymarkers to the right across fields to Preshaw Wood. In the fields to my left is the site of the former Medieval Village of Lomer. This village was deserted in the 16th century as a result of the enclosures and the Black Death.
Reaching the woods the waymarkers lead me through a gate into a field and continues with woodland on my right.
After going through another gate I head across a field and then descend into woodland to the east of Mundays House and continue across a field towards St Clairâs Farm.
At the farm I turn left walking to a minor road and turn right along it heading south to reach a crossroads. I go straight over and continue along the narrow road to reach a footpath on the left which leads around the edge of Bottom Copse.
At Steynes Farm I turn right joining a B road and take a footpath almost opposite that leads into woodland and then continues along the edge of Corhampton Golf Club.
The path leads to a road where I turn right and continue along the road to a junction where I go straight over and continue into Hacketts Lane. I stay with this road for 500 metres until I reach a copse on the right. Here I follow the waymarker with the footpath going beside a metal gate and along a track.
The track goes around fields along the edge of Fir Down and at a junction of paths I turn left to head east and gradually descend towards Droxford.
At a crossroads I go straight over and continue through the village to the A32,where I cross and pass Droxford Hall to reach St Mary and All Saints church. Parts of this church were built around 1200, parts were rebuilt in the 14th and 15th century with the Tower being added in 1599. There was restoration work undertaken in 1903.
Leaving the churchyard I head west and cross a stream and then turn right.
The path now heads south across fields to reach a minor road where I turn left at Cut Bridge and after crossing a disused railway line take a footpath on the right that soon leads across fields towards St Peterâs Church.
From here it is a short walk to the White Lion which is my resting spot for the evening.
To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer OS Explorer Leisure – OL32 – Winchester and OL3 – Meon Valley
You can view this 15 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
16th July 2024
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2024)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.