ALTON Walking & Cycling Festival 1st – 31st May 2021 Welcome... Key: to Alton Town Councils walking and cycling festival. We are delighted that Walking experience isn’t necessary for this year’s festival is able to go ahead and that we are able to offer a range Easy: these as distances are relatively short and paths and of walks and cycle rides that will suit not only the more experienced enthusiast gradients generally easy. These walks will be taken but also provide a welcome introduction to either walking or cycling, or both! at a relaxed pace, often stopping briefly at places of Alton Town Council would like wish to thank this year’s main sponsor, interest and may be suitable for family groups. the Newbury Buiding Society and all of the volunteers who have put together a programme to promote, share and develop walking and cycling in Moderate: These walks follow well defined paths and tracks, though they may be steep in places. They and around Alton. should be suitable for most people of average fitness. Please Note: Harder: These walks are more demanding and We would remind all participants that they must undertake a self-assessment there will be some steep climbs and/or sustained for Covid 19 symptoms and no-one should be participating in a walk or cylcle ascent and descent and rough terrain. These walks ride if they, or someone they live with, or have recently been in close contact are more suitable for those with a good level of with have displayed any symptoms. fitness and stamina. ■ You will need to physically distance from anyone not in Strenuous: These walks are much longer and more your household. strenuous and there may be some steep climbs and/ ■ A helmet MUST be worn and bike in a road worth condition on or sustained ascent and descent. These walks will suit all cycling activities. those with a good level of fitness and stamina. ■ Please bring your own alcohol-based hand sanitiser, face covering and basic Easy – ideal for new cyclists first aid kit. (We recommend that the walk leader also brings a first aid kit, but for minor incidents it may be better to use your own.) If you touch Occasional cyclists gates and stiles wash your hands as soon as you can. We recommend carrying alcohol-based hand sanitiser and gloves. Confident cyclists – moderate pace ■ Wear suitable clothing and footwear for the conditions. ■ Please bring your own food and plenty of water. Many walks are in the Confident off-road cyclists countryside/woodland so rest stops for toilets may not be possible. Experienced cyclists – brisk pace ■ Please arrange your own transport. All travel costs (buses, trains and parking are at the expense of the walker. Experienced cyclists – various paces ■ Please arrive 15 minutes before the start if your walk. All walks and cycle rides must be booked in advance by booking All welcome. Children must be online at www.alton.gov.uk by emailing [email protected] accompanied by an adult or by returning the attached booking form. Ideal for over 16s Families welcome but children must be able to walk longer distances Pushchair friendly @alton_council Circular route Dogs welcome but must be on a lead /AltonTownCouncil Sorry no dogs allowed www.facebook.com/altontowncouncil Bring refreshements Design by www.crimsongraphics.co.uk T: 01420 511 744 Saturday 1st May Sunday 2nd May Tuesday 4th May Walkers Are Welcome Wind And Water Circuit To Upper Farringdon Alton To Overton A circular walk around King’s Pond, followed A beautiful walk to Chawton through fields Both Alton and Overton are ‘Walkers are by, for those that wish, a walk around to Upper Farringdon and back along the old Welcome’ towns and this walk links the two Windmill Hill;. railway line. A gentle walking pace with by a delightful and interesting route. After Both walks take in the birds and other wildlife stiles. completing the walk, walkers will be returned to be found in these areas. Start time and meeting point: to Alton by coach, kindly provided by Alton The Dawn Chorus walk will introduce people 9.30 am Jubilee Playing Fields Town Council. to the early morning birds that are vocal art Approx distance and duration: The walk starts at Alton Town Hall, heads this time of day during the spring.’ 4.5 miles / 2 hours west to Beech and then Thedden, Bentworth Start time and meeting point: and Bradley. The next section heads north 6.00 am King’s Pond to Nutley and on to Dummer, crossing the 9.00 am King’s Pond M3 just west of the village and continuing Approx distance and duration: Binsted, Wheatley And South Hay to North Waltham on a green lane. The final King’s Pond – 0.5 miles / 45 minutes Taking in beautiful views, the walk crosses section of the route is via Steventon Church Windmill Hill – 1.25 miles / 1.5 hours open fields to Home Hangar and continues and Ashe Park, passing close to the source via River Hill Farm to Wheatley before of the River Test. The walk goes through looping south and west to South Hay and lovely, quiet countryside and some attractive Stubbs Farm. The route descends, then villages. climbs the hangar and returns to Binsted via Start time and meeting point: Monday 3rd May Forty Acres and Holy Cross Church. There are two stiles, steepish climbs and walking at a 9.00 am Town Hall, Market Square Six Hills Of Alton – Full Circuit moderate pace. Approx distance and duration: Enjoy taking in the magnificent views of Start time and meeting point: 20 miles / 7 – 8 hours Alton from the six surrounding hills around 10.00 am Binsted Recreation Ground the town. Approx distance and duration: Start time and meeting time: 4.5 miles / 2 hours 10.00 am The Butts, Alton Alton’s Civil War Walk Approx distance and duration: A guided walk visiting places of interest which 11 miles / 4.5 – 5 hours are historic sites connected with the English Civil War. Alton Town Tour Start time and meeting point: Take a guided tour around key historic landmarks in Alton such as St Lawrence 11.30 am Cairn (War Memorial) Thedden And The Bluebells Church and the Friends Meeting House. Approx distance and duration: In Ackender Wood Start time and meeting point: 2.5 miles / 1.5 – 2 hours A pretty, undulating walk going through 2.30 pm Cairn (War Memorial) ‘Hungry Copse’ to Thedden Grange. The walk Approx distance and duration: then goes through the outskirts of Beech and 2.5 – 3 miles / 1.5 – 2 hours along the top of Ackender Wood, where the Evening Walk - Binsted Circuit bluebells should be beautiful. Walking at a This walk starts at Binsted, walking via moderate pace. Hay Place, over to River Hill Farm and past Start time and meeting point: Telegraph House. The walk will go north to Evening Walk - Farringdon Circuit 10.00 am Alton Community Centre the edge of Redcap Copse and then back to A scenic evening walk following a circuit Approx distance and duration: the start with some lovely views. There are around Farringdon. Walking along the disused 6.5 miles / 3 hours two stiles, steepish climbs and walking at a railway, paths, woods and fields. moderate pace. Start time and meeting point: Start time and meeting point: 6.00 pm Lower Farringdon, Woodside Lane 6.30 pm Binsted Recreation Ground Approx distance and duration: Approx distance and duration: 4.5 miles / 1.5 – 2 hours 3.7 miles / 2 hours Wednesday 5th May Thursday 6th May Saturday 8th May Parish Of Shalden River Wey, Via Neatham Bentley Station To Alton Station This circular walk explores the parish of The walk leaves Anstey Park and heads along The route is via Redcap Copse, Binsted Shalden, and takes a route out of Alton Anstey Mill Lane, under the railway, then Plateau, Binsted, Holy Cross Church, Wyck, towards Shalden village through beautiful follow the path along the River Wey. Heading Neatham and back to Alton Station. A mix parkland, woods and byways and returns via up Lower Neatham Mill Lane to join the St of fields and woodland, with beautiful views. Anstey Park. There are a few stiles, some Swithun’s Way to return to Anstey Park. There are stiles, one steep hill and walking at ascents but not steep. Walking at a moderate pace. a moderate pace. Start time and meeting point: Start time and meeting point: Start time and meeting point: 11.00 am Alton Town Hall, Market Square 9.30 am Anstey Park, Finnimore Pavilion 9.30 am Bentley railway station Approx distance and duration: Approx distance and duration: Approx distance and duration: 6.5 miles / 3 hours 3 miles / 1.5 hours 7.5 miles / 3.5 hours Rowledge And Holt Pound Evening Walk - Bluebells In Tree Walk Ackender Wood Sunday 9th May A walk round west Rowledge, Glenbervie The walk starts with a climb up into Ackender Six Hills Of Alton – East Circuit Inclosure and Holt Pound, stopping to Wood, which will be walked very slowly. A This is part of the Six hills of Alton walk. This appreciate trees, both familiar and exotic, circular route will then be taken through the walk includes three of the magnificent views and to discuss issues round the importance of wood taking in the best of the bluebells and of Alton from the surrounding hills to the east trees. Walking at a gentle pace. One steep the beech trees coming into leaf. of the town. gradient. Start time and meeting point: Start time and meeting time: Start time and meeting point: 6.30 pm at Jubilee Playing Fields (Harry 10.00 am Alton Town Hall, Market Square 11.00 am Rowledge Recreation Ground Baker Pavilion) Approx distance and duration: Approx distance and duration: Approx distance and duration: 6 miles / 2.5 – 3 hours 2.5 miles / 2 – 3 hours 3 miles / 1.5 hours Friday 7th May Monday 10th May Shortheath, Binswood And Wyck Circular Walk Around Lower Froyle This is a delightful circuit, taking in lovely A circular route offering an interesting heathland and beautiful woods.