The Trail

This cycle ride is suitable for reasonably fit and able cyclists. The distance is 12 miles or 19.3 kms, with a total ascent of 636 feet or 194 metres. The trail starts at Alice Holt Forest Visitor Centre (grid ref. SU812417, post code GU10 4LS). However as the cycle ride is circular you can join at any point along the route. Cycle hire is available at the Visitor Centre.

Alice Holt is south west of on the A325 Wrecclesham to road. Bentley is the nearest railway station. There are regular train services to Bentley from Alton and all stations to Waterloo including Farnham, Aldershot and Woking. Footpaths through the forest connect Bentley railway station with Alice Holt Visitor Centre.

Alice Holt Visitor Centre Ancient Villages Beside The Wey

This trail is through a part of that is Maps often overlooked by visitors to the region. We visit three villages and their ancient churches on both Ordnance Survey Explorer maps 144 Basingstoke sides of the Wey Valley. Pretty thatched cottages, and 145 Guildford & Farnham cover this area. We traditional country inns and stunning views are recommend you take a map with you. the features of this cycle ride.

Copyright © 2010 Walk and Cycle Britain Limited Image of Bentley church copyright © Brendan and Ruth McCartney Image of The copyright © Andrew Smith Image of Upper copyright © Peter Trimming Image of Upper Froyle copyright © David Quick Image of Binstead church copyright © Steve Strussler Image of Swans on the River Wey © Steve Strussler This mapping data licensed from Ordnance Survey Crown® copyright © 2010. All rights reserved, licence number 100048680 www.walkandcycle.co.uk The Trail Bentley and St Mary’s Church St Mary’s Church

Leave Alice Holt Forest via the main entrance. At the T-junction turn Bentley lies on the extreme western edge of the Southern Weald. right. At the Halfway House pub and crossroads cross over the Its name means grass clearing in a forest. Bounded by the River busy A325 to join Binstead Road. At the Jolly Farmer crossroads Wey and on an ancient road from Southampton to London it has in turn right. long been a stopping point for travellers. The village is mentioned in various Anglo-Saxon Charters, the earliest of AD 688. St Mary of Continue along this road past Bentley Hall. The road descends to The Assumption pass underneath the railway line. Continue past the turnings to The oldest part of the village church is dated 1170 although there Bentley train station on the right and and on the is some evidence to suggest that the site was first used as a Norman left and climb up the hill to cross the A31. Chapel around 1129. The church has a ring of six bells, the Tenor weighing just under 13 hundredweight (about 660 Kilos). The earliest At the crossroads in Bentley Village turn right. Pass the The Star bells date from 1703 but some were recast in 1912. Inn and shops before turning left into School Lane at the village Holy pond. At the top of School Lane turn left into Hole Lane and then Cross right, signed to the church. Froyle and St Mary of The Assumption

After visiting St. Mary’s Church continue along the lane to the end. Proof of Froyle’s long history as a settlement has been found in Turn left, pass underneath the pretty footbridge and return to the Stone Age and Bronze Age implements excavated nearby and in Cross over the train line via the humpback bridge and descend crossroads in Bentley village. Turn right. Initially the road runs the remains of a substantial Roman villa or farmstead at Coldrey. to the River Wey at Mill Court. Turn left and climb the hill, which parallel to the A31. Continue past the entrance to Coldrey Farm on The village is divided into two, Lower and Upper Froyle, by Saintbury is steep at first but soon levels out. Continue across the top of your right and the turning to Alton and Isington on your left. The Hill, formerly named Frija’s Hill. Frija was the Norse goddess of Love the hill between open fields and then right at the first junction. road narrows before bending right to head up to The Anchor Inn. and is the name from which Froyle is believed to be derived from. Turn right to join the road from Isington and continue into Binsted village. At the crossroads continue forward, Binsted church can From the pub continue into Lower Froyle. Turn left and climb St Mary of The Assumption, was built in the early 14th century. be found 150 metres up the lane. steadily over the foot of Saintbury Hill before descending past the However there was a building of worship at the site previously, as war memorial to Ryebridge Stream. Climb the hill to reach St Mary the village is known to have had a Vicar in 1274. The only part of After visiting the church return to the crossroads and turn right. of the Assumption Church in Upper Froyle. the building that remains from the 14th century is the chancel, The Cedars pub is a little further up the road. Follow the road out built from local hard chalk. The steeple was pulled down in 1722 of the village and descend to the Jolly Farmer crossroads in After visiting the church continue up the hill. At the top the road and replaced with the present brick tower. Blacknest. Continue forward over the junction to join Binstead bends to the left and descends to the Hen and Chicken public Road. Climb the hill to the Halfway House pub and crossroads. house. Turn right in front of the pub and follow the service road that Cross the busy A325 and return to Alice Holt Forest. runs parallel to the A31. When you are opposite the turning to Mill Binsted and Holy Cross Court and Binsted leave the service road and cross the A31. Please be very careful crossing this busy road and use the central island Binsted was once the centre of a prosperous hop growing industry Alice Holt Forest to pause midway. as is evident from the number of Oasthouses in the area, many of which have been converted to attractive houses. Binsted’s There is something for the whole family at Alice Holt. There are commanding position on the ridge gives it wonderful panoramic cycling and walking trails through the forest with attractions along views. Telegraph House, now a private house, which we pass near the way like the enormous Owl and Woodpecker, which children to on the trail was built by the Admiralty in 1825 as a semaphore climb through, the Go Ape swings and walkways, a 3D maze house, relay station linking London with Plymouth. adventure playgrounds and a rock climbing wall.

It is thought that the first stone church was built in Binsted circa There are also a variety of holiday activities to keep kids amused, AD1140. The larger church seen today was constructed (1180 including den building, pond dipping, crafts and wildlife walks. to 1195) around the older building. Field Marshal The Viscount Throughout the year there are regular outdoor programmes for Montgomery of Alamein (Monty) was buried in the Churchyard in mums and toddlers and courses for adults like archery, shooting, 1976. His banner hangs in the nave. Nordic Walking and Bodyfit Bootcamp.

Holy Cross, Binsted Swans on the River Wey