Allan King Way Book Version 4

Home , Abbots Worthy, Boarhunt, Itchen Way, Kings Worthy, Martyr Worthy, Owslebury

By Richard Charles Kenchington Footpath Secretary of the Eastleigh Ramblers

A walk across Hampshire from Portchester to Winchester

1 Version 4 January 2018 © Richard Charles Kenchington FRICS IRRV (Hons) 2 Pavilion Close, Fair Oak, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 7PS All communications by email to [email protected] CONTENTS Introduction Tribute to Allan King Stage 1 - Portchester Station to the Castle Stage 2 - Portchester Castle to Downend Stage 3 - Downend to Nelson’s Monument Stage 4 - Nelson’s Monument to B2177 Roman Road Stage 5 - B2177 Roman Road to World’s End Stage 6 - World’s End to Soberton Stage 7 - Soberton to Hillpound Stage 8 - Hillpound to Bishop’s Waltham Stage 9 - Bishop’s Waltham to Upham Stage 10 - Upham to Cheesefoot Head Stage Eleven - Cheesefoot Head to Tichborne Stage 12 - Tichborne to Itchen Stoke Stage 13 - Itchen Stoke to Itchen Abbas Stage 14 - Itchen Abbas to Kings Worthy Stage Fifteen - Kings Worthy to Winchester

2 INTRODUCTION

It gives me great pleasure to introduce this guide to the Allan King Way. The project to establish this walk was undertaken in the first half of the nineties by the Hampshire Area of the Ramblers’ Association and lots of people were involved. It is now a feature of Ordnance Survey sheets and the route is well waymarked. The first guidebook that was published in 1995 by the Hampshire Area of the Ramblers’ Association and Paul Cave Publications Limited. This new book of the route is being made available to you free of charge over the Internet through the Eastleigh Ramblers. Unlike a printed booklet the Internet offers the opportunity to revise and republish the book as often as is necessary to keep the route descrip- tions up to date. So if you spot something that needs changing let me know (contact details on the previous page) and make sure that you are using the latest version by checking on the Hampshire Rights of Way Improvement Trust web site - http://www.hrowit.org.uk If the version number (on previous page) changes before the decimal point it means there has been a route change, after the decimal point the route description has been updated. I hope to be adding maps over the coming weeks when time permits. If anyone has a better photograph of Allan King I would appreciate the opportunity to reproduce it. The route is maintained by Hampshire County Council’s Countryside Service and the owners of the land over which it traverses and a thank you is due to them for all their efforts in this regard. I hope that you will take the opportunity of becoming a member of the Ramblers’ Association and support the work that they do in ensuring that we all have access to the countryside for recreation and bringing issues that affect walkers to the attention of central and local govern- ment. There are over a thousand walks organised by the Groups in Hampshire every year and together with this guide book there are loads of opportunities to get out walking, keeping fit and meeting up with other walkers .Richard Kenchington

3 The Allan King Way and this guidebook is dedicated to the memory of Allan King who worked voluntarily for the Hampshire Area of the Ram- blers’ Association as Publicity Officer. His way of increasing member- ship was to embark upon a programme of establishing more Groups located in East Hampshire, Bishop’s Waltham, Romsey and Southsea, and Eastleigh, His sudden death at the age of 59 was a tragic loss but his legacy is these thriving groups who have been organising walks all over the County Allan loved and beyond. I came to know him when he approached the Southampton Group to agree to the creation of the Eastleigh Group out of their territory and I left the Southampton Committee to set up the Group with Allan’s guid- ance. Following his methodology we had an inaugural meeting which he chaired and inspired with his optimism. A Steering Committee was formed from the initial 25 members who lived in the Borough of Eastleigh and I became the Chairman for the first ten years. Unfortu- nately he died soon after the Group was formed and we never got to formerly thank him for his efforts. What finer tribute can there be for a Rambler than to join a select band of walkers who have a long distance path named after you. This is my way of saying thank you to Allan by keeping that walk alive and I am sure it will not disappoint you - Richard Kenchington

4 STAGE ONE - 1.28 MILES

PORTCHESTER STATION TO THE CASTLE If you are doing this as a linear walk making the start Portchester Sta- tion avoids having to leave a car here and at the other end there is a railway station as well. From whichever platform you arrive you have a descent down a ramp to the same road which goes under the railway. On reaching it turn right along it going south. After 75 metres cross over the road to the footway on the other side and continue in the same direction towards the roundabout ahead. In reaching it follow the footway around to the left and take the ramp down to the underpass under the A27 and then take the ramp on the right back up again and go straight on. You pick up Castle Street as you bend left. You pass As- sheton Court on the right and The Keep on the left. Just around a left hand bend in Castle Street take a minor no through road called Cow Lane on the left opposite Castle Primary School.

Less than 100 metres of the Lane are open to vehicles, bear right along a narrower section of the Lane at a metal barrier (not straight on through it) and at the very end there is a metal kissing gate. Go through this and you are into a footpath running between the back gardens of the properties in Castle Street on the right and fenced off fields to the left. Follow this enclosed path for about 350 metres until after passing through another metal kissing gate you reach the end of a concrete roadway coming from Castle Street which is to your right to a recreation ground which is to your left. Turn left at this point and immediately fork left (almost straight on) heading towards the sea wall visible ahead.

5 6 On reaching it and the shoreline follow it to the right. The water on your left is the tidal creek called Portchester Lake and Portchester Cas- tle can be seen ahead. Keep to the sea wall as it turns left and then right, the path narrows and then you arrive at the Castle walls. Follow the shoreline going clockwise around the outside of the Castle. (At a gate- way in the east wall you can access the Castle grounds and the church inside it.) As you turn right to follow the outside of the south wall Port- smouth, Gosport and the Isle of Wight can be seen across the harbour.

STAGE TWO - 2.63 MILES (TOTAL 3.91 MILES) PORTCHESTER CASTLE TO DOWNEND

Half way along the south wall bear left away from it to keep to the shoreline. After 100 metres you need to pass to the left of a concrete block wall and a property with frontage to the shore. The shore path will take you in about 80 metres to the end of Hospital Lane. [Should the path be underwater at high tide return a few yards and walk towards the Castle walls and continue to follow them clockwise along the west wall and just before reaching the Castle Keep you will reach a roadway leading to a gate in the west wall. Turn left along it walking away from the Castle. Pass Waterside Lane on the right (which leads to a car park and toilets) and at an oak tree in an island in the road turn left down Hospital Lane until you reach the shoreline. To the left you can see the short section you avoided here go right] Continue by following the path along the top of the sea wall which is fenced off from the roadway to the right. Pass over the entrance to a small yacht basin next

7 8 to a castellated house and you come out into some open space with a shoreline path made of blocks.

You are now looking up another creek called Fareham Lake. At the other end of the open space you again need to use a path on the seaward side of shoreline properties and it is the first 50 metres that could be underwater at very high tide after which the shore path is on the top of a sea wall. [In the event of of high tide turn right when you reach the end of the green onto the nearby road and then turn left and then immediately right along Lansdowne Avenue. At a T junction turn left and follow Merton Crescent crossing Merton Avenue and at a T junction turn left along Grove Avenue and at the end of the road you will have re- turned to the shoreline only 200 metres west of where you had the high tide problem.]

The shoreline path leads into more open space and at the end of it continue on the shore path initially between the shore on the left and houses after which there is yet more open space. Continue to follow the path along the shore and then the path becomes fenced off from fields to the right. On reaching a boat yard you have to leave the shore to go right inland along a path through undergrowth and through a kissing gate into a field. Go straight across the field to another kissing gate and once on the other side of it turn left along another path. Keep straight on along this path through a kissing gate until you exit onto a minor road. (Note there is a shoreline cafe to the left). Turn right along it to a T junction with another road and turn left. When the road ends go under a height restriction barrier into Wicor Recreation Ground and straight on passing

9 to the side of a field gate. Go straight on again keeping to the left of the vegetation ahead. Keeping the vegetation to your right which contains a hedge line and ditch and the playing fields to your left you will in 500 metres come back to the shoreline again. Turn right along the shore gen- erally bending left around Cams Bay until you reach in 250 metres an outfall with railings around it. Here go right away from the shore to pick up a path heading inland. It runs between a hedge on the left and a fence with a field to the right. It passes to the left of a prominent high voltage electricity power pylon and on reaching the urban boundary continues straight on as a tarmac path between the backs of gardens. It ends at the A27 in Downend, to your right on the opposite side of the road is a bus stop where there are frequent bus services back to Portchester.

STAGE THREE 2.96 MILES DOWNEND TO NELSON’S MONUMENT (Totals 6.15 miles 417 feet Ascent 148 feet of descent)

This route goes left at this point along the main road towards the traffic lights ahead. Here cross over to the right and go up Down End Road. Ignore The Ridgeway on the left and East Cams Close on the right continuing gradually uphill. Ignore The Thicket on the right and The Cause- way on the left as Down End Road bends right and then crosses the bridge over the railway between Portchester and Fareham. Immediately thereafter on the left take the footpath through a metal kissing gate and then follow the line side fence in a field. At the far south west end of the field, with Fareham Town Centre in view ahead, go through a kissing gate onto a vehicular track called Paradise Lane. There is a bridge

10 over the railway to the left but the Allan King Way is to the right uphill along the track between hedges. To the left and one narrow field away is the A27 con- necting Fareham Town Centre with the M27. Continue uphill until reaching a T junction with the remains of Military Road now dissected by the A27 to the left and the M27 to the right. Here turn right along the remains of the former carriageway with a hedge to the left and a field to the right. You are effectively walking around three sides of this field and are now going along the third northern edge. On reaching the M27 motorway boundary fence bear right along it and the field edge. To your right is a view down across Fareham Creek to Gosport with the hills of the Isle of Wight beyond.

On reaching the north east corner of the field go through a gap in the post and rail fencing and over a crash barrier and across the road to the other side (Down End Road again but further up the hill). Turn left and follow the footway across the bridge over the M27 uphill around a right hand bend in the road. On the left at the bend the Private Road is the other end of Military Road.

11 After a straight section ignore Swivelton Lane on the left and continue along another straight section the road now being Portsdown Hill Road. As the footway runs out you have to walk in the carriageway - keep on the right facing the oncoming traffic. Portsmouth is now visible to the right and Portchester Castle. The Royal Armouries Museum in Fort Nel- son is next on the left which has a cafe. A viewpoint and car park is to the right. Continue to follow Portsdown Hill Road until reaching a crossroads. (When it is open you can cut across the car park to a pedestrian gate to the right of Nelson’s Column) Ignore Nelson Lane to the right and go left along the road signposted to Boarhunt and Soberton called Monument Lane which leads almost immediately to the massive column erected to Lord Viscount Nelson. Study the display board.

STAGE FOUR - NELSON’S MONUMENT TO B2177 ROMAN ROAD (2.89 miles 98 feet Ascent 294 feet of descent) (Totals 9.04 miles 98 feet Ascent 294 feet of descent)

Continue 50 metres along the Lane and after a barn and at the summit of the ridge cross a stile on the left. Once over it a square fenced under- ground reservoir is ahead, go clockwise around the outside of it. When on the other side and next to the rear boundary fence of Fort Nelson cross a stile. On the other side continue in a narrow field running around the north side of Fort Nelson crossing a second stile, and at the other end of a horse paddock there is a stile into a large field beyond. Here with your back to Nelson’s Column go diagonally (slightly right) across the field heading for a point halfway between a bungalow and an

12 electricity pylon. Coming from the south or left is Swivelton Lane and near the bungalow it forks and the path joins the right hand fork 20 metres from the junction. Turn right along this narrow quieter of the two forks heading north downhill with fine views ahead. There are no hedges on either side of the road, just banks constraining users to the tarmac. After 500 metres there is a T junction with Boarhunt Road. Ignore the footpath on the right and go right down the road bending first to the right and then the left and on downhill until opposite a tarmac road on the right and a gravel entrance road on the left. Ahead to your left is the wooden archway marking the location of the gates into the graveyard of St Nicholas Church. Go through them and follow the grass path as it bends left to pass to the left of the church, noting the intricate flint wall- ing on the eastern end. At the western end is the main entrance to the church from which there is a gravel path downhill, at the bottom rejoin the road where Manor Farm is opposite and go left.

After the farm entrance on the right there is a nice pond. 100 metres later on the left at a gated vehicular track cross the stile to the left of gate and follow the roughly surfaced track downhill towards Grub Coppice at the end of the field. The track ends just as you arrive at the south west corner of the wood. Do not enter the woods but follow the field edge down its west side, keeping the woods on your right, towards the valley ahead to the north. On reaching the bottom and the north west corner of the wood take the footbridge over the Wallingford River. Cross the stile on the other side and follow the path ahead keeping just to the left of a side stream. In 150 metres cross a stile on the right and then cross the bridge over the side stream. Go along the valley bottom keeping to the hedge on the left. Keep in this long linear grassy meadow

13 field and at the other end you will see Boarhunt Mill off to the right. In the far left corner of the field you come back to the Wallingford River and through a kissing gate in to the field to the north. Continue in the same direction as before following the river. In the south east corner of the field go through a kissing gate next to a metal field gate and on to a road. Cross over bearing left to go through a kissing gate next to another metal field gate. Continue in the same easterly direction following the river but this time the path is some 40 metres from it on the slightly higher and less boggy ground to the north. Aim for the right hand of three wooden electricity poles. Passing the pole you reach the south east corner of the field but do not go through the gap into the field beyond, instead turn left still in the same field to follow the eastern field boundary with a side stream in the scrub to the right of you. 200 metres before you reach a wood go right over a stile and a farm bridge over the side stream into the field to the east via a stile next to a field gate. Go east keeping to a grassy farm track to the left of a wooden post and wire fence. The track is going to Lodge Farm ahead. You can see Nelson’s Column and Fort Nelson to the south or right and along Portsdown Hill some of the other fortifications that protect Portsmouth.

On reaching the farm buildings cross a stile to the left of a metal field gate and continue to follow the track between the farm buildings. On reaching a wide concrete apron just before the farm house turn left along it and through the entrance gates onto the B2177.

STAGE FIVE - B2177 ROMAN ROAD TO WORLD’S END

14 (2.34 miles 121 feet Ascent 111 feet of descent) (Totals 11.38 miles 636 feet Ascent 553 feet of descent) Cross the B2177 (beware of high speed traffic) to go through a metal field gate signed Little Lodge Farm and immediately turn right through another metal field gate and along a vehicular farm track uphill with woods to the left and a bank topped by a fence on the right. It seems difficult to believe but this used to be the A333 and before that a Roman Road. The wood soon ends and the tracks is now passing between two fields.

At OS Grid Reference 6186 0974 to the left of the track and about 100 metres from the wood and before some trees on either side of the track there should be a stile in the fence enabling you to get across into the field to the left. Once in the field you should be able to change direction slightly to the left of your previous course and cut across the field to a wooden post and rail structure (a stile without steps) to rejoin another path. At the time of writing (26 February 2010) this path is obstructed so the following description applies.

Follow the track as it bends right heading south towards Portsdown Hill. Just after passing the fenced off part of the field on the left turn left through 150 degrees along a waymarked path which goes along the outside of the fence forming the eastern boundary of the field. On reaching the aforementioned structure that should be a stile the trees on the right give way to a long grassy field. Continue along the west or left side still keeping the same fence on your left. At the other end of the long grassy field cross s stile to the left of a metal field gate and cross Common Lane to another stile on the other side.

Once in the field beyond keep to the fence on your left. In 100 metres there is the wooded remains of a quarry on the left. Immediately

15 this has been passed you have to head across a cropped field in the same direction as before going to a point just to the left of the far right hand corner of the field and to the right of some trees. The path leaves the field to cross a wooded gully where there are two footbridges in quick succession and a stile leading into the next field. Once in the field follow the hedge on your right heading north north east over the brow of a hill. At times wires are strung across this large field to divide it up for grazing purposes and there are some stiles to use next to the hedge when this occurs. As you start to descend the other side of the hill Mitchelland Copse is on the right. Keep along the outside of the Copse in the same direction until you reach a wooden field gate on the right where a track goes into the Copse. Here you stay in the field and change course slightly to the left to cross the field to a stile to the left of Beck- ford Bridge visible ahead.

Once over the stile onto Beckford Lane turn right along it over the bridge. Follow the lane as it bends to the right and then bends left, ignoring a minor lane off to the right. In 150 metres ignore a footpath on the right but just beyond and where Beckford Lane begins to bend right take a footpath left through a wooden kissing gate. In the field follow the fence on your right (there may again some wire subdivisions of the field). At the far right hand corner of the field cross a stile to the left of a metal field gate on to a track surfaced with crushed stone and turn right along it. It is called Green Lane. Follow it through a gap in a hedge and under high voltage power lines. In 200 metres there is a hedge to the right of it. When the surfaced track ends continue in the same direction to the left of the hedge to a stile to the right of a metal

16 fields gate which takes you onto a busy road. Turn right along it and around a right hand bend to the Chairmakers your first public house since Portchester at what is the beginning of the settlement called World’s End.

STAGE SIX - WORLD’S END TO SOBERTON (4.59 miles 385 feet Ascent 329 feet of descent) (Totals 15.97 miles 1021 feet Ascent 882 feet of descent)

From the Chairmakers ignore Forest Road to the right and a footpath to the left and keep straight on along the main road as it bends slightly to the right and then slightly to the left and then at beginning of a long straight turn left off the road onto a roughly surfaced concrete farm access road. In 70 metres take the right fork in the track and follow it to the left of a farm house and straight on to a stile to left of a metal field gate. Once over it keep straight on following the fence on the left to the far left hand corner of the field where there is a stile. Do not cross it but turn right and follow the north west side of the large field with a ditch to your left. In the far left north west corner of the field pass through the gap in the hedge (there has not been a stile here for a while) and continue in the same direction in the next field following the fence and the ditch on the left. Mill Copse appears on the left and in the far left north west corner of the field take the stile into the wood. The path through the wood continues in direction slightly left of that prior to the wood. In 50 metres there is a cross roads of paths, go straight on here. The path

17 comes out of the woods on to Bent Lane where you pass by the remains of a kissing gate. Turn right along the Lane.

Follow the Lane around a sharp left hand bend and then a gradual right hand bend. Then there is a short straight where you pass Shirmal Farm on the left and Hawthorns on the right. The road then bends right with The Barn Bent Farm House on the left followed by a short straight with Kingslea Bent Farm House on the left, then a left hand bend (ignore the footpath on the right) passing Bent Farm Cottage and cross the stile to the left of the next metal field gate on the left. In the field keep to the fence on the left to another stile in 50 metres, keep going in the same direction, in 10 metres go through a metal field gate, in another 20 metres over a stile, in 40 metres over another stile, in 50 metres over another stile still in the same direction. In 100 metres pass through a pedestrian gate and in another 100 metres you should have reached a large barn and a stile next to it. Cross it and then turn immediately right along a path, fenced on both sides. In 150 metres cross a stile to the right of a metal field gate and turn left to follow the fence on the left in the next field. In 50 metres cross another stile and keep to the fence on the left. In 150 metres cross a stile onto a track. Do not continue straight ahead over another stile but turn right along the track with fences on both sides. On reaching a wood follow the track as it bends right and on rounding the corner of the wood bear left keeping to the outside of the wood with a horse training track on the right. Follow the edge of the wood to a stile onto an unsurfaced track and then turn right along it for 30 metres and go left through a metal pedestrian gate and follow the hedge on the left. Just before the far left corner of the field go left over the furthest of two stiles. Then left over another stile and down an enclosed path to a tarmac access road and turn right.

Pass to the left of the farm house at Hole Farm and the barn conversion beyond it to a stile to the left of a wooden field gate. Cross it and continue in the same direction following a fence on the left until it goes left. Here you have to strike out across the field following a projection of the fence you had been following heading for a grey roof with small win- dows in it. Go across the field to the point where the hedge coming from the left turns left or north and follow it still in the same direction

18 into the corner of the field where a path fenced on both sides continues (at the time of writing on 1 March 2010 the stile that was at this point had been cleared to the side). After passing to the right of a barn and bungalow the fences path emerges onto a Lane where you need to turn left along it. As you go along look to the left and you can see Portsdown Hill and to the right of it seemingly joined to the mainland the hills of the Isle of Wight. At the next cross roads by Hoe Cross Farm continue straight on signposted to Soberton and Droxford. The road passes between fields towards a belt of trees ahead. As you reach them a bungalow called “Woodside” is on the left. Just beyond it turn right along a bridleway that keeps to the outside of the wood called Bottom Copse. The bridleway descends slightly and then starts to steadily climb and is fenced off from the fields to the right. Pass a field hedge boundary going off to the right and then at the corner of the woods you join the Wayfarer’s Walk which comes from the right. At this point continue for 40 metres in the same direction to a much better defined vehicular track and turn left along it. 100 metres later the track turns left, here go straight on along a footpath in a tree belt which is a mass of bluebells in the spring.

This idyllic path comes to an abrupt end when you reach a T junction with a vehicular track with a wide open field beyond. Turn right along the track with the field to the left and a tree belt to the right. Where the tree belt bends right there is a hedge on your left going west, follow it on the path to the right of it. When the hedge reaches a T junction with another hedge go straight on through a gap in the hedge ahead and over a stile into a field to the west. The path bears slightly right of the previ-

19 ous direction across what appears to be open down land as the view of the Meon Valley gradually opens up ahead. Soberton and its church comes into view (see photo below) and is slightly to the right of your course across the field. You are in a field and you leave it in the far right right north west corner through a wooden kissing gate and down some steps. The fenced footpath goes straight down a slope. (Ignore a gate into access land on the right and a track to the left shortly after the wooden kissing gate). At the other end of the fenced path another wooden kissing gate takes you out onto a lane and follow it down hill passing a house called “Birds Eye View” and after another lower down the lane bends sharply left and then right down to a T Junction with another road called Chalk Hill.

Go straight across (the Wayfarers Walk goes right down Chalk Hill) and up some steps and then along a level fenced path. In 100 metres it turns right and goes downhill onto West Street.

STAGE SEVEN SOBERTON TO HILLPOUND (2.31 miles 168 feet Ascent 187 feet of descent) (Totals 18.28 miles 1189 feet Ascent 1069 feet of descent) If you turn right and go left at the next crossroads it is five minutes walk to the White Lion Public House in Soberton. The Allan King Way goes left along West Street. In 200 metres at a three way road junction turn right down a no-through road. After passing a pumping station on the

20 right the tarmac road ends and ahead is a bridge that used to carry the Meon Valley Railway. Continue straight on underneath the bridge and follow the path downstream along the banks of the River Meon for 100 metres and cross the river via a footbridge. Continue straight on with a tributary on the right to cross a stile into the next cropped field. Now head for the other side of the field in a direction slightly left of your previous direction. Head for an electricity pole that is in the hedge line ahead where there is a gap through on to the A32. Cross with great care and go through a gap in the hedge on the other side to start up a path which goes up steeply out of the Meon Valley again slightly to the left of the previous direction. Near the top the path joins an unsurfaced track which is a road called Green Lane. According to the Definitive Map of Rights of Way you should have to go left for 20 metres to pick- up the continuation of the previous path westward but physically on the ground the paths join up. Set out across the cropped field gradually moving away from the electricity lines you have been following to your

21 right. Once over the top of the hill a small wood is 300 metres ahead with an isolated tree to the right of it. Again there is a difference between the route of the right of way on the Definitive Map and that on the ground. On the map the footpath goes to near the isolated tree and then forks left to the woods and the Allan King Way forks to the right. On the ground at the time of writing (8 March 2010) the path goes to a stile in the boundary fence of the wood and then forks, the left fork into the woods and the right fork is the Allan King Way. Whether following the route on the map or that on the grounds stop and cast your eyes along the previously mentioned electricity line going west to some woods. Where it meets the woods look 100 metres to the left of that point and you should see a marker post and that is where you should be heading. At the marker post follow the path into the woods (ignore a permissive path which follows the field edge outside the wood). Initial- ly whilst in the wood the path keep close to the edge of the wood on the left and you can see the field that you were just in beyond. It passes to the left of an overgrown quarry and then you enter an orchard. Follow the path keeping to the left of all the fruit trees following a hedge on your left. Keep to the hedge as it bends to the left. In the far left corner of the orchard continue straight on through a belt of trees and out into another orchard. Here the path continues straight on between the fruit trees until on the other side of the orchard you will find a lane called Cott Street. Do not descend to it but turn to your right staying in the field but following Cott Street. In 20 metres cross and ignore a track that exits onto the lane staying in the Orchard. In 200 metres look for a metal footpath sign on the left where there is a house on the opposite side of Cott Street and descend through a gap onto the lane and turn right along it. Just beyond the grounds of the house on the left side of the lane take a footpath between a beech hedge and a fence going south west. If you continue along the lane for another 400 metres you will come to the Hunters Inn, Swanmore. Further down the path bends left on reaching the other end of the grounds of the house and then after 40 metres goes right again to continue in the same south west direction between fences. The fenced path ends as you enter a field ahead, keep to the field edge on your left continuing in the same direction. On reaching the far left or south east corner of the field turn right to follow the left hand or south side of the field with a ditch and a tree belt on the left.

22 Just after the tree belt ends in 200 metres look for a route to the left as the path goes between hedges in almost the same direction. The path becomes a vehicular track which leads in 200 metres to Holywell Road. Here turn right along the road using the footway on the right to the Hill- pound crossroads ahead. STAGE EIGHT HILLPOUND TO BISHOP’S WALTHAM (2.62 miles 130 feet Ascent 164 feet of descent) (Totals 20.90 miles 1319 feet Ascent 1233 feet of descent) If you go right you will find the Rising Sun public house. At Hillpound crossroads turn left down Hill Pound using the footway on the right. On reaching Flint Cottage in just over 300 metres on the left hand side of the road and just before a 40 mph limit sign take a rough gravel road on the right called but not signed “The Lakes”. Ignore paths and tracks to the left and right and keep straight on along it, keeping straight on at a staggered junction outside Belmont Farm after which the track has a rough tarmac surface. On reaching New Road there is Swanmore Col- lege of Technology to the right which is on a bus route. Go straight across New Road and through a wooden kissing gate and straight on with a stream on your right (it may be dry in the summer months). Pass to the right of a large electricity pylon. Keep following the stream until you find a footbridge over it but do not cross it, instead go left following a footpath leading away from it towards the south west. This leads to the start of a road called Ludwell’s Lane outside Ludwell House. Fol- low the road around to the right and go straight on along it until you

23 reach the T-junction with Lower Chase Road. Here turn left and keep to the right hand side of the road, passing Evelyn Close on the left until you reach the crossroads with the B2177.

At the crossroads turn right along the B 2177 Winchester Road using the footway on the right. After passing the road called Clewers Hill on the left and going under overhead power lines you will see the Chase Inn on the right. Cross over to the vehicular entrance on the left hand side of the road and to a stile to the right of a pair of large metal gates. You have now joined the Pilgrims Trail. After the stile follow the ditch and hedge on the right north west, it bends slightly to the right shortly after. Pass through a gap into the next field and continue with the ditch and hedge on the right. At the far right hand corner of the field follow a track into undergrowth and over a footbridge. In the next field continue in the same north north west direction some 40 metres away from the stream on your left until you reach another footbridge over another more vigorous watercourse coming from the springs at The Moors a quarter of a mile to the east of here. Continue roughly in the same direction as before through a metal squeeze stile into the next field and follow the hedge on the right with initially Chase Mill visible through the trees on the right. Follow the hedge and its course can be clearly seen going uphill. As the inclination increases pass through a gap in a hedge into the next field and keep straight on following the hedge on the right. The slight bank on your right is called the Park Lug. On reaching the far right north east corner of the field you are near the top of the ridge. There is a gap in the hedge next to another metal squeeze stile. Once into the next field follow the hedge on the right with industrial buildings below and then a house beyond the hedge. In the far right north east corner the path emerges onto the B3035 Botley Road through a gap

24 in the hedge. Take care to avoid speeding traffic and bear left to take the lane opposite down hill. At the bottom follow the lane around to the right. The land to the left is destined to become a superstore. On arriving at a road junction Station Road is ahead and Bishop’s Lane to the left. To the right is the remains of Bishop’s Waltham Palace. STAGE NINE BISHOP’S WALTHAM TO UPHAM ( 3.74 miles, 327 feet Ascent, 147 feet of descent) (Totals 24.64 miles 1646 feet Ascent 1380 feet of descent) The Allan King Way does not enable you to see much of Bishop’s Waltham. If you go straight ahead you will at the end of the short straight come to a main road. Cross it to the other side and then turn right and in 200 metres you will find the town centre with all the usual facilities including bus links to Winchester, Petersfield and Fareham. To continue with this walk turn left along Bishop’s Lane and using the footway on the right hand side with the lake to the right of it continue until you reach a roundabout. Just before it there is on the right a chance to inspect the lake shore and to admire the size of the fish and feed the ducks. At the roundabout turn left to a set of old railway crossing gates, the start of the next section to Upham. Just before and to the left of the gates is a small plaque at ground level - a modest memorial to Allan King. The route ahead is both the Allan King Way and the Pilgrims Way.

Pass through the gap between the pair of crossing gates and start walking down the former track bed of the Bishop’s Waltham to Botley Branch Railway. After an easy half a mile you arrive after passing through a kissing gate onto a surfaced farm road. Bear right along it passing a bungalow on your left. Just beyond take another farm track down to the right which descends to a vehicular road bridge over a stream. Follow the track as it bends around to the left. Go over a stile next to field gate and turn left along the track passing to the right of an electricity pylon. After it follow the fence on the left as it descends to a corner where the stream down to your left. Here bend right following the fence on your left where you have another stream down to your left.

25 Pass through a wooden kissing gate and 40 metres later take a stile on the left and another immediately after down into a meadow through which the stream runs and turn right without crossing the stream. As the field widens out keep following the stream. Pass by another electricity pylon located on the other side of the stream. Still following the stream pass through a gap in the remains of a hedge. Leave the other end of the field via a wooden kissing gate to the left of a metal field gate onto a farm road and turn left along it. After crossing the stream go through a wooden kissing gate on the right off the farm road. Once in the field head diagonally across it north west by west to a stile. Do not cross the stile but bear right following the hedge keeping it to your left. After 100 metres bear down right to cross a footbridge over the stream and turn left to follow the stream. On reaching the next field boundary use the double stile 20 metres from the stream. In the next field continue in the same direction with the stream off to your left to another stile in the next field boundary 30 metres from the stream. There are now green- houses off to your right. Keep straight on getting gradually closer to the fence on the left. In the far left corner of the field cross over a stile and then a footbridge and keep straight on with the stream still off to your left. Pass through a gap in a hedge and then head diagonally across a boggy field to use a stile to the right of a metal field gate in the far right hand corner.

Cross over Winters Hill Road to take the minor road opposite straight on (signed to Winters Hill Farm). This is a Roman Road. Thirty metres before the farm itself take a footpath on the right over a footbridge and through a wooden kissing gate and then turn left to follow the hedge on the left. Ignore a metal field gate on the left and continue to the end of

26 the field as it narrows down and take a wooden kissing gate back on to the site of the Roman Road now a track and turn right along it. Keep going along it until you reach the Winchester Road the B2177 again.

Cross straight over (taking care as the road carries fast traffic) to take a Stakes Lane directly opposite and continuing in the same direction as before. Pass the house “The Limmers” on the right and “The Triangle” on the left and at a T junction with yet another part of Stakes Lane do straight on through a pedestrian gate into a a very large field. Look back and project the lane across the field and you should be able to make out a stile on the other side. So cross the large field and then the stile and continue in the same direction by following the fence on the right. Half way along the east side of this field cross over a stile on the right and then cross the field ahead towards the right hand end of a wood. On reaching the corner of the wood turn left following the waymarks for the Pilgrims Trail along a path between the old part of the wood on the right and newer planting on the left. Keep going north along this path in the wood until after 300 metres you reach a metal field gate and just beyond a vehicular farm track. (You may hear light aircraft landing and taking off in the is area as there is a private airfield off to the left as you reach the aforementioned gate.)

One on the track turn right following the Pilgrims Way along it down hill for 50 metres and at a right hand bend in the track there are two field gates. Ignore the one on the left and go straight ahead through the other into a field. The path continues in the same direction as before and cuts across the corner of the field that is on your right to a stile visible 200 metres ahead where you return to the vehicular track that you were one before and turn left along it. It is fenced on both sides and after having fields on both sides to start with there is a short section with a wood on the left and then the track continues with fields on both sides again. Where the track goes through a metal field gate and into a field with other gates to the left and right of it cross a stile to the left of the track. A narrow footpath continues in the same direction after the stile with a hedge on the right and a fence on the left. When the fields on the left end pass through a metal kissing gate and then you have on the left a fence surrounding a Winchester City Council private sewage works and

27 after that on the left the grounds of a semi- detached house - Number 3 Oak Close, Upham. The path then joins a footway adjacent to Oak Close and continues in the same direction until you get to the junction of Oak Close with Upham Street. Turn right here along the road until you get to a three way road junction. Do not take Church Road on the right but go left along the continuation of Upham Street. STAGE TEN UPHAM to CHEESEFOOT HEAD ( 6.04 miles 837 feet Ascent 591 feet of descent) (Totals 30.68 miles 2483 feet Ascent 1971 feet of descent) After only 100 metres along Upham Street nrxt to a field gate it bears right, here take a footpath on the left over a stile and into a small field. (For the Brushmakers Arms follow the road and take the next road on the right and follow it (see photo below). Cross the field diagonally to a stile at the other end in the north western boundary. Cross over it into a large field and turn left following the fence on your left. Follow the field edge as it bends right at a corner in the field with a post and wire fence on your left. When the fence reaches a mature hedge ignore the footpath back to the left and continue in the same direction following the hedge and still in the large field. As a corner in the large field is reached follow the path into a section between the hedge on the left and a post and wire fence on the right. The path descends with a wood on the right and a hedge on the left. Ignore a path off to the right going through the woods and continue to descend. Go through a wooden kissing gate and out into a field sloping down ahead. Follow the fence on the right down to the bottom where there is a wooden kissing gate. Pass

28 through it and a narrow belt of trees running along the valley bottom and over a stile into the next field. Continue in the same direction across it to a stile in the far left north west corner of the field. Once over the stile you are on Rowhay Lane turn right here.

Rowhay Lane is no more than a grass strip along a field edge. Having turned right follow the hedge on your right as it bends gradually right and then gradually left until you reach a corner of the field. Here pass through a metal field gate and into a narrow belt of trees and after 30 metres (beginning of 2013 diversion) turn right through a gap into a large field. Turn left and follow the hedge on the left gradually uphill as it goes right, then left and then right. In another 40 metres go left through a gap into the next field and continue to follow the hedge on the left with a horse running track on the right.

After passing a small corrugated iron shed ignore a footpath to the right and private tracks to the left and continue ahead towards the corner of the field. At the corner turn left on a tarmac roadway leading towards Woodlock’s Down Farm and then immediately right (ignoring a path to immediately to the left) (end of 2013 diversion) along a grassy vehicular track through trees gradually uphill with a hedge on the right.

When you reach a cross roads of tracks go left steeply downhill following a hedge on the right along a grassy vehicular track. Cross over a track at the valley bottom and continue in the same direction gradually

29 ascending out of the valley still with the hedge still on the right as the track enters woods.

Keep straight on until you emerge out of the wood into a large field. Bear slightly right and follow the hedge on the right with fine views to the left down over Southampton in the distance. On arriving at a chalk vehicular track called Greenhill Lane turn right along it. It is enclosed on both sides by hedges. Keep following it uphill for 500 metres until after passing the buildings at Green Hill you reach a tarmac road called Baybridge Lane.

Bear right across the road to a stile to the left of a wooden field gate and cross it into a field where there is a lovely view (see photo on the previous page) to the north along the route that the Allan King Way will now take to Cheesefoot Head.On you right is an electricity pole and wires running down the hill ahead. Keeping just to the left of them go downhill to a stile in a post and wire fence. Cross it and continue downhill passing to the right of the next electricity pole and down to cross another stile in a post and wire fence. Then head down to cross another stile in a post and wire fence and on to a gravel vehicular track. Turn left along it with Green Lane Cottage initially on your right. Keep to the track (ignoring a footpath off to the left) with trees overhanging the route from both sides as it goes gradually uphill. On arriving at a junction of tracks outside Lower Whiteflood Farm fork right (almost straight on) continuing along the valley bottom. The tree lined track narrows and is actually a stream bed in heavy rain. Keep straight on where a footpath crosses the track.

30 On reaching Belmore Lane (a tarmac road) go straight across onto another bridleway which almost immediately turns left to run parallel to Belmore Lane where you will catch a glimpse of Whiteflood Farm- house off to the left. The bridleway then bends right to start going away from Belmore Lane uphill in a gully. As a field appears on the left ignore a footpath on the right going through the hedge on the right and keep straight on. When the hedge on the right goes right the bridleway goes across a cropped field in the same direction as before downhill to cross the Owslebury to Cheriton Road just to the right of a yellow pipe line marker on a post (see below on previous page). A tree lined bridleway continues on the other side of the road downhill for 900 metres until just after passing under high voltage electricity wires you arrive at a cross roads with another bridleway called Honeyman Lane. Here turn right along it still flanked on both side by trees. After 400 metres a staggered cross roads of tracks is reached, go right and then immediately left through Bushy Copse following a valley bottom on a vehicular track. In 300 metres take the signposted first slightly less substantial track off to the left. An electricity pylon can be seen in the field ahead and in 50 metres the bridleway path bends slightly left to avoid going into the field in which the pylon is located to continue even less substan- tially in a wood. In another 100 metres the bridleway emerges into a field and then bears right to follow the valley bottom towards the left hand (west) side of a clump of trees called Oakclose Plantation. Pass along the outside of the left (west) side of the plantation to where there is a junction with another track. Do not go right but bear slightly left on a track gradually uphill in a north west direction towards the left hand end of another plantation on the skyline. On reaching it take the left fork (straight on) along the outside of the left hand or west side of the

31 plantation. The bridleway continues to climb gradually and then bends slightly right and levels out still with bushes and trees on the right. At the end of the straight when the trees on the right come to an end and a field is ahead of you turn left along a track uphill until in 200 metres a substantial chalk vehicular track is reached at a T junction. Ahead is a view down valleys leading to the lower section of the River Itchen. (see photo on previous page).

Turn right along the vehicular track gradually uphill. 50 metres before reaching the A272 turn left on to another vehicular track going downhill. When the fence on the right goes right go right with it and pass through the fence where there is a gap and pass to the right of a yellow pipe line marker on a post. Follow the path with a field on the right and bushes on the left , then a field on the left and bushes on the right until a crossroads of bridle ways is reached. Turn right to join the South Downs Way along the bridleway that crosses a cropped field towards the A272. A fine view north opens over the valley of the upper River Itchen just before you get to the road. Cross straight over the road (taking care be- cause it is a very busy road) to the continuation of the bridleway on the other side. Cheesefoot Head Car Park is 50 metres to your right along the A272.

STAGE ELEVEN CHEESEFOOT HEAD TO TICHBORNE (4,25 miles 262 feet Ascent 556 feet of descent) (Totals 34.93 miles 2745 feet Ascent 2527 feet of descent)

The bridleway has been surfaced with stone chippings and there is a bridle gate set back from the A272. The bridleway continues along level ground with a fence on the left and a hedge on the right and a bowl in the hills down to the left. In the far distance is the North Hampshire Downs south of Newbury. The bridleway becomes unsurfaced as it runs along the outside of Great Clump Woods on the right. When the woods come to an end there is a bridle gate and then a more substantial vehicular track is reached. Continue straight on along it down a gradual de-

32 scent with fields on both sides. Further down the hill keep straight on along this substantial track when it enters woods. A static home called Fanfare then appears on the right where you pass through a barrier gate and then Keepers Cottage is on the right and just after a farm yard on the left. Fifty metres further on take the first vehicular track on the right, still following the same route as the South Downs Way. It descends with fields and hedges on both sides into a valley bottom. Con- tinue straight on at a cross roads of tracks. At first the track is level then it descends a little and then climbs uphill across a chalk ridge. At the cross roads of tracks at the top go straight on descending into a shallow valley and through a side gate next to a field gate and then gradually uphill for 100 metres and then gradually down again to a shallow valley bottom. There is a slight up to get to the crossroads with the surfaced Rodfield Lane.

Continue across the Lane to take the track on the other side and to pass through a bridle gate to the right of a double set of field gates. The track between hedges goes uphill over a ridge and when you get to a hay barn on the right the Allan King Way and the South Downs Way diverge. Turn left north east down a similar chalk vehicular track with a hedge on the right and cropped field on the left. This is the beginning of a gradual descent to the valley of the upper River Itchen. There is a field to the right over the hedge - watch out for when it come to an end. On reaching this point go right into the next field used for grazing via a bridle gate to the left of a double set of field gates. Follow the fence on the right east, note how the track is in an indent in the field. After 150 metres the fence moves away to the right of the indented track. Follow

33 the track for another 100 metres and take another indented track up to the left towards a hedge and fence line. When you get there continue in the same direction with the hedge on your left. A view down to valley of the Itchen appears and you should be able to see the brown square tower of the church peeking above the trees that surround it (see photo on the previous page).

Following the hedge will take you to the corner of a field where the bridleway exits via a bridle gate to the right of a double set of field gates on to a substantial unsurfaced vehicular track. Continue in the same direction between hedges. A hay barn is passed on the right and as a wood draws near there is another to the left. The track passes to the right of the wood keeping along the outside of it. With the woods behind you there is another hay barn on the right and then an animal shed on the left. Twenty metres later leave the track and go over a stile on the left into a cropped field. A footpath goes diagonally uphill to the right to another stile in the hedge on the upper side of the field. Once over that stile turn right to follow the hedge on the right along the edge of another cropped field. Keep the hedge on your right as the route joins a farm track going northeast. When the farm track goes through the hedge on the right down to the farm below keep straight on in a sunken byway still with the hedge on the right. The route becomes enclosed on both sides and in the shade of trees and exits on to a minor road that leads up from the village of Tichborne to the church. Turn left up the road to the turning area outside the church. With the church to your left go straight ahead along a grassy path which in 20 metres bears right to descend between hedges to a gravel track at the bottom.

34 STAGE TWELVE TICHBORNE TO ITCHEN STOKE (1.96 miles 206 feet Ascent 245 feet of descent) (Totals 36.87 miles 2951 feet Ascent 2772 feet of descent)

If you go right to the road and then left you will find the Tichborne Arms in 100 metres (see photo below on the previous page). The Allan King Way goes left along the gravel track which turns to a chalk farm track after having passed a couple of dwellings. The track descends in to a slight valley and then climbs. Keep straight on where there is a track to the right and straight on again when there is one to the left still going uphill following the hedge on your right. After a beech tree leave the track and go right into the field to the east and turn left with the hedge now on the left (there used to be a stile at this point). At the corner of the field bear right where a track goes through a gap in the hedge and then follow the outside edge of Trodds Copse on the left. You have now joined the author’s Itchen Way and Alresford can be seen in the valley down to your right. At the corner of the field you approach the A31. Pass to the left of a wooden barrier where there used to be a field gate and descend to the dual carriageway (watch out there is 70+ mph traffic). Cross over via the central reservation and go down the road opposite that is the now bypassed old road. Bear left with the road and follow it until immediately before a house on the right there is a footpath

35 off to the right. Go down it following the fence associated with the house’s garden and then on down through a wood with a hedge on your right across which you will get a fine view of the Itchen valley (see pho- to on the previous page). Once in a field keep straight on, do not go in to the field on your right, keeping a hedge on your right and a field to your left. One hundred metres later where there is a double metal field gate on the right go left keeping to the edge of the field now with a wood on your right. At the corner of the wood where there is an electricity pole go right to continue to follow the edge of the field with the wood still on your right. Follow the field edge as it goes left and then right with the garden of a nice house on the other side of the hedge. At the corner of the field go left 5 metres and you will locate a gap in the hedge which will take you down to a road.

Follow the road to the right (not through the private entrance) with a brick and flint wall on the right. The road bends right and then left to enter Ovington. Pass St Peter’s Church on the right and descend through the village. Keep straight on where Lovington Lane is off to the left. [The St Swithun’s Way comes along this Lane and joins the Allan King Way and the Itchen Way to descend the rest of the hill.] At the bottom of the hill the road crosses a stream and then goes right. [The St Swithun’s Way follows the road to the right.] Off to your left is the Bush Inn. Go straight ahead along a footpath. The path leads to a very picturesque spot, a footbridge over the River Itchen a clear chalk river with plenty of trout visible between the water weed. The path then goes left on a route between the river on the left and a side stream on the right (see photo below). Eventually you have to leave this idyllic spot

36 and cross a footbridge over the side stream to the right. This leads to the minor tarmac surfaced Water Lane which you follow it into the hamlet of Itchen Stoke. (Part the way along on the left you will see the start of a permissive footpath which goes through a field west to pick up the Al- lan King Way and Itchen Way a bit later on - this avoids a bit of main road walking.} When you reach the main road the B3047 turn left along it.

STAGE THIRTEEN ITCHEN STOKE TO ITCHEN ABBAS (2.10 miles 172 feet Ascent 210 feet of descent) (Totals 38.97 miles 3123 feet Ascent 2982 feet of descent)

Keep going along the main road until after passing Forge Cottage on the left turn down a track on the left just after passing Rivers Keep, a thatched cottage. Pass another thatched cottage and to the right of Giles Barn through a field gate and then over a stile to the left of a second field gate. (If you diverted earlier this is where you will rejoin the route.) Bear right across the grass field to a bridge over a stream and then bear slightly left to go straight on thereafter through what can be a boggy field in winter to a footbridge over the River Itchen. Once over the bridge turn right and then left on a footpath and across a footbridge over a side stream of the Itchen. Then keep straight on for 50 metres and then leave this path by turning right over a stile.

37 Once in the field follow the fence on the right until you can see Black Farm ahead and visually on the same alignment before it is a stile, head towards this to leave the field. Once in the next field, the one before the house itself bear left to go slightly uphill diagonally to reach a wooden kissing gate in the south west corner (far left) of the field. Twenty metres later there is another wooden kissing gate, once through it bear right downhill following the hedge on the left, on the other side of which is Lovington Lane. At the bottom of the field go through a wooden kissing gate onto the Lane and then continue west in the same direction as before along it. You immediately pass the entrance to Black Farm on the right and then Yavington Farm buildings are on the left and the pretty Yavington Farm Cottage on the right. Look out for a stile 200 metres after that on the left up some steps. Once over the stile go steeply uphill with a fence on your right to another stile to the left of a metal field gate. On the way you get the view in the picture on the previous page. Cross over the stile and then go left with a fence and then a hedge on the left. Off to your right is a hill top clump of trees. When you reach the same elevation as the trees turn right along a path towards them and then through them on a well trod path with plenty of tree roots. When you emerge on the other side of the trees continue in the same direction to the left of an oak tree and then there is a fence on your right. Stay in the same field and continue straight on west along a farm track with a view over the Itchen Valley to the right. At the bottom of a shallow valley there is a cross roads of farm tracks. Keep straight on here along a more substantial track with a hedge to the right and Park Golf Course now beyond it and a fence to the left with a cropped field beyond that. After passing a golf course car park on the left the track turns

38 right gets wider and descends towards a T junction with a road (the same one you left near Yavington Farm). On the way down you get a good view of Avington House off to the left - see the picture on the previous page.

Turn left on reaching the road and then almost immediately right on to another one. On your left is Avington House with an avenue of trees lining the roadway from the entrance gates. Keep to the road over a hump backed bridge with a side stream off the Itchen beneath it. Further on once you have crossed the River Itchen there is Itchen Abbas church on the left and Mill House on the right. Immediately beyond the archway entrance to the churchyard there is a gravel track on the left and that is the route. The Trout Inn is only 200 metres away - if you continue along the road and turn right at a T junction you will find it on the left.

STAGE FOURTEEN ITCHEN ABBAS TO KINGS WORTHY (2.94 miles 115 feet Ascent 134 feet of descent) (Totals 41.91 miles 3238 feet Ascent 3116 feet of descent)

Follow the gravel track passing a couple of houses and then where it ends continue straight on up a track towards a wooden field gate. Pass to the right of it through a small wooden pedestrian gate. From here

39 there is a path fenced on the left and with hedges on the right at the end of gardens of nice houses further to the right. When the field on the left ends the enclosed path reaches an avenue of trees. Go through a wooden kissing gate onto the avenue and then straight across to another wooden kissing gate on the other side which takes you into a field. Keep to the top side of the field following the fence on your right. The River Itchen is at the bottom of the field to your left - see the photo on the previous page. Pass through a metal kissing gate into the next field and continue with the fence on your right slightly downhill. Gradually the path gets closer to the River Itchen. When the fence on your right ends continue in the same direction to go through a wooden kissing gate onto a gravel path with a fence to the right and a hedge to the left. The enclosed path path comes to an end down a set of steps onto a lane at Chilland.

Bear left across the road to pick up another enclosed gravel path. There is here a small field to the left and gardens to the right. On reaching a wooden kissing gate go through it into the next field. Continue by keeping to the fence on the left. At the far left corner of the field go through a wooden kissing gate into the next field and this time continue by keeping to the fence on the right. At the far right end of the field go through a metal kissing gate into the next field and continue keeping to the hedge on the right. Keep going in the same direction when the hedge comes to an end across a field on a track heading in the direction of the top of the spire of the church at Martyr Worthy. Leave the field via a

40 metal kissing gate onto a gravel track and keep going in the same direction. On reaching a road with the church in front of you turn left.

In 20 metres turn right over a stile next to a wooden field gate (entrance to “Rivermead”) and continue next to the churchyard wall. On reaching a second wooden field gate take the path passing to the right of it. There is a fence to the left and a hedge to the right. When the fence on the left goes left go left with it along the edge of a field. On reaching the far left corner of the field turn right along a path which follows the south side of the same field. At the other end of the field the route is down a path enclosed between hedges. Pass through a wooden kissing gate and continue along a gravel path fenced on both sides. The route emerges onto Easton Lane where there is a house on the right.

Go straight across through a metal kissing gate and then keep to the fence on the right. In 200 metres cross a stile and continue in the same direction this time with the fence on your left. Beyond the trees ahead is the M3 and on reaching its boundary fence go left over a stile and onto an enclosed path. On reaching the River Itchen turn right still on the enclosed path through a pedestrian underpass under the M3. On the other side cross a stile to the left of a wooden field gate and continue straight on along the edge of a field with trees to the left - see the photo on previous page is the view looking back to the underpass. The path exits onto the B3047 via a stile to the left of a double set of wooden field gates.

41 Turn left down the main road keeping to the left hand side. Immediately beyond the fancy brick and flint wall of “The Worthys” there is a stile into the field beyond. Take the path leading diagonally across the field between trees in a south westerly direction. Pass to the left of a wooden barn and continue above the River Itchen down to the left. At the far left corner of the field the path exits through a metal field gate onto the end of a lane in Abbots Worthy. Go straight across following the St Swithun’s Way (the Itchen Way goes left) onto another path with a metal railing fence on the left and in winter a small stream on the right. In 200 metres the path crosses the stream via a footbridge and then continues in the same direction as before. The marshland of the River Itchen is off the the left and fences on the right and the path is through trees. The path exits onto the A33. Go straight across via the central reservation of this dual carriageway to the start of another path on the other side. Go through a wooden pedestrian gate and along a path with Evers- ley Cottage on the right. On reaching the gravel drive leading to the Cot- tage continue west along it. It emerges onto a road outside the church at Kings Worthy. Walk towards the church and follow the path passing to the right of it.

If you go onto the nearby main road and turn right in 100 metres you will find a post office and store on the right and the Cart and Horses Public House on the left. STAGE FIFTEEN KINGS WORTHY TO WINCHESTER ( 2.63 miles 40 feet Ascent 77 feet of descent)

42 (Totals 44.54 miles 3278 feet Ascent 3193 feet of descent)

The path leads under the tower of the church where the route goes left to follow a path surfaced with paving slabs down through the cemetery. See the photo on the previous page. It leaves the cemetery at the bottom and becomes a tarmac surfaced path with a village green to the right and houses to the left. Ignore the path up steps to the right and continue on towards offices in the distance. Pass through a wooden kissing gate as you approach them and keep straight on between the offices of ‘PPD’ and Bacardi Brown Forman House. At the top of the wooded slope ahead is the A34. Leave the office complex and its associated car parks via another wooden kissing gate and turn left down a path following the base of the A34 embankment now on the right. The path bends right and goes into a pedestrian underpass under the southbound carriageway and then another under the northbound carriageway. The gravel path then goes left (south) with the A34 to the left and a fence and hedge to the right. On reaching a stream the path goes right south west following the stream with marshes to the right. It crosses another stream via a footbridge next to a pipe. There are now fields to the right and water mead- ows to the left of the enclosed path. The River Itchen is way off to the left on the other side. Two thirds of a mile from the A34 the path crosses the stream that has been running to the left for a while. On the other side is a vehicular track, turn right to follow it now with the stream to the right of you. In one third of a mile the vehicular track crosses the stream to the right. Do not cross the stream but continue straight on along a footpath with the stream still to your right. When you reach a

43 road called Hillier Way leading to the ground of Winchester Football Club off to the left go straight across the road to continue to follow the stream. The path is now tarmac and well defined. At the next road called Nuns Road cross over to continue straight on along Nuns Walk which is vehicular track still with the stream on the right. The track narrows to a path and continues to exit onto Monks Road with the King Alfred Public House on the right. Cross over the stream towards the Public House and then turn left into Saxon Road and continue in the same southerly direction as before now with the stream on the left. At a T Junction with King Alfred Place the ruins of Hyde Abbey (see photo on page 43) are off to the right.

Bear right towards it to pick up a path still with the stream on the left. Follow the path over the stream via a footbridge and onto the end of King Alfred Terrace. Continue straight on down the Terrace at the end of which the Winchester Leisure Centre comes into view. Follow the Terrace around to the right and then turn left into the entrance to the Leisure Centre Car Park and then imme-

44 diately bear right to pass to the right of the Centre. Pass through some bollards and continue along a wide path with playgrounds on both sides. After crossing one of Winchester’s many Brooks bear right to pick up the end of Park Avenue. Go along it using the footway on the right with educational establishments on both sides of the road. At the junction with North Walls go straight across using the pedestrian crossing onto Middle Brook Street. Cross over to the left hand side of the Street and continue until just after passing a car park on the left use a pedestrian crossing to cross Friarsgate and continue in the same direction along a pedestrianised part of Middle Brook Street.

The Brook Shopping Centre is on the right and keep straight on when you pass the main entrance and meet a cross roads still on Middle Brook Street. Sainsburys is on the left and you can just see the top of the Cathedral over the top of Debenhams. When you reach that store turn left down the High Street which becomes the Broadway as you pass the Guildhall on the right with its associated Tourist Office. Ahead of you is the statue of King Alfred, pass to the right of it to a roundabout and continue straight on down High Street and using the footway on the right hand side cross Colebrook Street and immediately after the Bishop on the Bridge Public House and immediately before the bridge over the River Itchen turn right down a path to follow the river - See photo on previous page. Follow the river side keeping an eye out for a private footbridge over the river. At this point the riverside path divides, keep to the right hand one and on the right next to the wall of Wolvesley Castle (see the photo on the previous page) you will find the finishing post telling you that you are 44 miles from Portchester (see the Photo on the previous page).

45 HAMPSHIRE RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT TRUST LIMITED (HROWIT) AND THE ALLAN KING WAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT However long this period of austerity is going to last it will have a sig- nificant effect on how much the public purse can afford to fund. This is especially true in areas where expenditure is optional and although de- sirable is ranked as a lower priority than essential services. That is the unpleasant truth for those of us who love accessing the countryside and would want more public money spent on our recreational aspirations.

We need to accept that we need to put more back into what we get out of enjoying our diverse landscapes by whatever mode of access we use. All over the country there are people who do just that in many practical ways – preserving, protecting, enhancing – some in a small way others with hours devoted to the subject. There comes a point however when whatever you do you need to join with others to get better organised, achieve the bigger tasks, overcome the obstacles that beset an individu- al and above all to raise the money needed to translate aspirations into reality. Working to improve rights of way is like that, you reach a point where if you want to move from repairing the odd stile and clearing a section of overgrown path you need a different way of working to achieve the bigger tasks. That is the rationale behind HROWIT.

It is company limited by guarantee formed by two members of the Brit- ish Horse Society – Brenda King and Bob Milton and three Ramblers – Alan Marlow (Winchester Group), Patric Curwen (Alton Group) and Richard Kenchington (Eastleigh Group). It has been set up in a way that it can be run in a similar way to the national organisations on charitable lines but is nevertheless legally a completely separate organisation and designed to serve objectives that are related to Hampshire. You can join

46 as a member, be a Trustee or Director and take part in implementing projects the company aspires to promote. Above all it gives a legal framework for participants and supporters to work together with the object of improving rights of way in Hampshire.

There is no shortage of ideas on what we would like to do. The prepara- tion by the County Council of the Countryside Access Plans supported by all the amenity organisations has come up with a huge list of things that could be done. We have had to decide where to start and have de- cided that we should try and make the best of a project that the Ram- blers in Hampshire promoted – the Allan King Way.

As an initial proposal we are seeking to convert all the stiles to kissing gates to facilitate easy access and already you can download a free guide book and other information from the web site http://www.hrowit.org.uk/

We are hoping that you would be willing to empower us to make an ear- ly start by agreeing to become a member and pledge £20 per annum to the cause. If we had just 1000 members we would have enough money to complete the task in two years even if we were not able to raise money from other sources. Please consider how you might support this project and do more to put back something into the rights of way net- work we use.

The Hampshire Area of the Ramblers have endorsed our efforts - please download the form on the website and make a contribution so that we together can work to do more improvements. ALAN, BOB, BRENDA, PATRIC AND RICHARD