sign in sign up
<<
Home , Ashmansworth, Denmead, Droxford, Harrow Way, Hinton Ampner, Ladle Hill

Beacon to Alresford to Distance: 13 miles (20.9 km) Time: 4–5 hours Distance: 11 miles (17.7 km) Time: 3.5–4.5 hours The Wayfarers Walk begins in the county of at Combe The Wayfarers Walk enters via , which in the Middle Ages had one of the Gibbet on top of Inkpen Beacon. The route takes you over country’s biggest sheep fairs. at 297m is the highest chalk hill in . A short distance from the route, in the centre of the town, is the station, Cross the A343 and skirt round the estate of Castle a heritage steam railway running over ten miles of steeply-graded scenic track between and its perfect park laid out by Capability Brown in the 1770s. Alresford and Alton The route then runs around Beacon Hill and its The route leaves the town through the Church and passes through damp meadows to pre-historic ramparts. Here lies the grave of the 5th Earl of and across the River Itchen at Cheriton Mill to the pretty village of Cheriton. Carnarvon who became famous when he and Howard Carter The route crosses the river and then climbs up to the downs above the village. discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. The Wayfarers Walk follows a section of the Cheriton Battlefield Walk, commemorating The route gradually descends down to the A34 with the the Civil War battle of 1644 . Cross the A272 and continue up the tarmac road passing around the grounds of Hinton off to the left, Ampner House and across fields to where the route climbs to the downs again, follow the Inkpen P at this point the route crosses the South Hants Ridgeway and passes Betty Munday’s Bottom. permissive Hill ▲ Continue over Down and down in to Droxford. path under Combe Accommodation: VIC 01425 470896 the A34,then Gibbet P N o r t h We s s e x D o w n s climb back To Newbury Refreshments: The Hinton Arms, 01962 771252, ➛ up towards Test Highclere The White Horse, Droxford 01489 877490, The Vine, Hambledon 0239 263 2419 Way , Berkshire CastleA34 Places of Interest: St.Martin’s Gallery, Ibsley 01425 489090. Ringwood Town & site of another Ladle Watership Country Experience, Blashford 01425 472746 Iron Age hill fort. Ashmansworth Hill Down Kingsclere Public Transport: Ringwood: Wilts & X3, X34, X35, X36, 175, 176 Onwards, to walk past

Watership Down, setting A343 P for the famous novel by ➛ Geoffrey Richard Adams about a group B3051 North Droxford to of rabbits. This chalk ridge is Andover de Havilland Oakley To Distance: 5.5 miles (8.8 km) Time: 1.5–2 hours made up of tiny grains of calcium The route now crosses the and follows it south to carbonate, making it extremely . From Soberton the route climbs out of the valley to higher porous and a perfect turf for walkers and ground until you reach the wooded Lithey Hanger that overlooks the race horses reach the B3051 to Kingsclere. quiet village of Hambledon.Hambledon's secret is that it is the home Accommodation: VIC (covers North Hants area) 01252 320 968 Deane of English cricket. Besides the pitch at nearby Broadhalfpenny Refreshments: The Star, Kingsclere 016325 296 241. Oakley Down is a memorial to those locals heroes of the 1700s. The Crown, Kingsclere 016325 299558, London The route now leaves the chalky land and crosses over wet clays To The George & Horn, ➛ which where once clothed in a vast dense forest, the royal hunting Kingsclere 016325 299130 . The route enters the village of Denmead close to M3 Places of Interest: A30 Forest Gate. Highclere Castle 01625 253210 Dummer Accommodation: TIC 01962 840 500 www.highclerecastle.co.uk Refreshments: The White Hart, Denmead 02392 255953 The Fox Salisbury and South Museum ➛ & Hounds, Denmead 02392 255421 & more pubs in Denmead. 01722 332151 Public Transport: Stagecoach 67 / Brijan Tours 17 / Public Transport: Stagecoach 20, First Hampshire 45, 45A, 138 Newbury Buses & Stagecoach The Link Winchester To Drove Ox Brown B3046 Way Denmead to Emsworth Kingsclere to Dummer Candover Distance: 12 miles (19.3 km) Time: 3.5–4 hours Distance: 11 miles (17.7 km) Time: 3.5–4.5 hours The route continues south through gentle countryside to From White Hill car park the path now moves away from the open downs of Olivers Battery Southwick before climbing onto Hill. The views The Ridgeway onto chalk arable farmland, North Hampshire’s cereal belt. Abbotstone Settlement from this narrow chalk ridge are spectacular. Beyond you As you near Walkeridge Farm you cross a major Roman road, the Portway. Ox DroveMedieval Way P can see Spithead and the Isle of Wight. This road was mainly used for military purposes and went from , Village Ox Drove north of , to Salisbury. Look to the west for the long thin line Way The Wayfarers Walk now becomes more urban and runs of trees called Caesar’s Belt that marks the line of this ancient road. Watercress beds ♱Alresford alongside the B2177, passing Fort Purbrook, a massive Watercress brick-built polygonal fort built on Portsdown Hill to defend Continue southwards past the occasional lonely and through the B3047 Town River Itchen Line the port against Napoleonic attack. village of , onwards past cereal fields, across the Harrow ♱New ➛ To Alton St 's After crossing the A3(M) the route turns south and joins Way and railway line to the village of Deane. Past Deane the route crosses Way Alresford A31➛ with Way and runs along the shoreline past another railway line before skirting the beech woods of Bull Bushes Copse Battle of Cheriton B3046 the old waterside village of Langstone, with its delightful and round the woodland edges. The Walk crosses the main A30 and 1644 Cheriton heritage quayside, pubs and a picturesque millhouse. M3 roads, skirts Basingstoke golf course before entering the Cheriton charming village of Dummer. To WinchesterMill ♱ A272 Walk past Warblington Castle, with its gruesome tales, ➛ and the church with a grave-watcher’s hut, across the Accommodation: Aldershot VIC (covers North Hants area) 01252 320 968 ➛ To To Winchester Hinton fields and through the woods to finish at the fishing Ampner Park Refreshments: The Greyhound, Overton 01256 770241 Kilmeston village of Emsworth,– the perfect spot for a relaxing Queen Inn, Dummer 01256 3967367 South seafood meal. Downs Public Transport: Newbury Buses & Stagecoach The Link / Way Accommodation: Hayling Island TIC 02392 467 111 Stagecoach 76, 86 / Steventon Transport 55 To Alton ➛ Refreshments: The Blue Bell, Emsworth 01243 373394 and many more pubs and eating places. S o u t h D o w n s Places of Interest: Royal Armouries Fort Nelson Dummer to Alresford Way 01329 233 734 www.royalarmouries.org Distance: 14 miles (22.5 km) Time: 4.5–5.5 hours Emsworth Museum 01243 378091 www.emsworthmuseum.co.uk From Dummer the Wayfarers Walk uses trackways to take you south across B3035 Beckett’s Down. This area is dotted with many old chalk pits. The route then Public Transport: First Hampshire 45, descends into the valley along Church Lane track, to . Follow the Droxford ♱ 45A, 138 / Emsworth & District 27, 36 / valley and cross the B3046 at the Wool Pack Inn, Totford. This pub sits on the Lunway, Stagecoach 700 Soberton an ancient droveway used for moving cattle and sheep across the country. The route ♱

A32 climbs out of the valley, joining two other routes, the Ox Drove and the Three Castle ♱ Path to Abbotstone Down and the prehistoric settlement of Oliver’s Battery. ➛ Hambledon The path continues down towards Abbotstone village, across the Candover Stream, B2150 up to Itchen Stoke Down where it intersects with four other ancient trackways, To take the right track to re-cross the Candover Stream and follow the River Arle, Denmead passing watercress beds and the historic Fulling Mill, before reaching the town of Alresford. To Petersfield Accommodation: Aldershot VIC (covers North Hampshire area) ➛ 01252 320 968, Winchester TIC 01962 840 500 A3 Refreshments: The Woolpack Inn, Totford 0845 2938066 P Alresford has many pubs and eating places. Fort Hampshire West Sussex A3(M) A27 Chichester The Horse & Groom, Alresford 01962 734809 Purbrook ➛ To Public Transport: Steventon Transport 55 / To B2177 i Warblington Castle Stagecoach 64, X64, 67 ➛ Sailing Club P Parking Langstone M27 Mill PH Public House Langstone Hayling i Tourist Information Island Harbour Trail (walkers only) 0 1 2 3 4 miles Solent Way ♱ Church 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 km

Wayfarers Way26/8/2012FINAL.indd 1 28/8/12 22:53:51

Wayfarers Way26/8/2012FINAL.indd 2 Way26/8/2012FINAL.indd Wayfarers 28/8/12 22:54:03 28/8/12

Howard Carter, uncovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. of tomb the uncovered Carter, Howard the leafy shade closes in. in. closes shade leafy the

explorations of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who, with with who, Carnarvon of Earl 5th the of explorations anemones that carpet the floor before before floor the carpet that anemones

There is an Egyptology exhibition recording the the recording exhibition Egyptology an is There you can see the bluebells and wood wood and bluebells the see can you

beautiful in early spring when when spring early in beautiful

'Capability' Brown. 'Capability' Hambledon, are especially especially are Hambledon,

dominates the magnificent grounds influenced by by influenced grounds magnificent the dominates those above the village of of village the above those

also designed the Houses of Parliament, the Castle Castle the Parliament, of Houses the designed also The wooded hangers, like like hangers, wooded The

still in existence. Created by Sir Charles Barry, who who Barry, Charles Sir by Created existence. in still

of Carnarvon, is probably the finest Victorian House House Victorian finest the probably is Carnarvon, of and water mint. mint. water and

Highclere Castle, home of the 8th Earl and Countess Countess and Earl 8th the of home Castle, Highclere amongst the reeds reeds the amongst

and fluttering banded demosels demosels banded fluttering and

and the North Hants Ridgeway. Hants North the and skipping at the water’s edge edge water’s the at skipping

routes, The South Hants Ridgeway, the Harrow Way Way Harrow the Ridgeway, Hants South The routes, for grey wagtails dipping and and dipping wagtails grey for

Wayfarers Walk crosses or uses three of these ancient ancient these of three uses or crosses Walk Wayfarers robin. Beside the clear streams look look streams clear the Beside robin.

move animals, flint and salt around the country. The The country. the around salt and flint animals, move sweetly scented meadowsweet, ragged ragged meadowsweet, scented sweetly

the forested valleys. These ridges were also used to to used also were ridges These valleys. forested the The river valleys and lush meadows are full of kingcups, kingcups, of full are meadows lush and valleys river The

preferred the sanctuary of high ground rather than than rather ground high of sanctuary the preferred

hill-top forts and burial chambers. Iron Age settlers settlers Age Iron chambers. burial and forts hill-top each other. other. each

gatehouse which is still standing today. standing still is which gatehouse On many of the high chalk ridges there are ancient ancient are there ridges chalk high the of many On skies the thermal-riding buzzards wheel and call to to call and wheel buzzards thermal-riding the skies

the Civil War, except for the octagonal turret of the the of turret octagonal the for except War, Civil the kidney vetch and many kinds of orchid and in the the in and orchid of kinds many and vetch kidney

and is still used today as a decorative building material. material. building decorative a as today used still is and between 1515 and 1525. It was reduced to ruins during during ruins to reduced was It 1525. and 1515 between as cowslips, scabious, viper’s bugloss and wild thyme, thyme, wild and bugloss viper’s scabious, cowslips, as

is displayed on many local churches, cottages and walls walls and cottages churches, local many on displayed is Warblington Castle was a large moated house built built house moated large a was Castle Warblington fauna. The chalk are rich in flowers such such flowers in rich are downlands chalk The fauna.

As a chalk area Hampshire is also rich in flint, which which flint, in rich also is Hampshire area chalk a As and wildlife habitats gives a wide range of flora and and flora of range wide a gives habitats wildlife and

watch for invaders following along the river valley. valley. river the along following invaders for watch

Along the Wayfarers Walk the changing landscape landscape changing the Walk Wayfarers the Along

both sheep and cereal crops. crops. cereal and sheep both Meon, and its inhabitants would have found it easy to to easy it found have would inhabitants its and Meon,

Chalk covers a large area of the county and is good for for good is and county the of area large a covers Chalk important, for it is strategically placed east of the River River the of east placed strategically is it for important, selection at the end of each section. each of end the at selection

twenty-three feet above the ditch. Its situation is very very is situation Its ditch. the above feet twenty-three even stay for a night or two. We have listed a random random a listed have We two. or night a for stay even

in and New Alresford. Alresford. New and Farnham in

be a high single bank, rising in some places to some some to places some in rising bank, single high a be ride on a steam train, sample local crafts and foods or or foods and crafts local sample train, steam a on ride

used by shepherds to drive their animals to sheep fairs fairs sheep to animals their drive to shepherds by used

been excavated, but the main fortifications appear to to appear fortifications main the but excavated, been the antiques shops and art galleries, take a nostalgic nostalgic a take galleries, art and shops antiques the

in ancient history. It follows some of the oldest tracks tracks oldest the of some follows It history. ancient in

the Nature Conservancy Council. The fort has never never has fort The Council. Conservancy Nature the refreshments and a rest. In Alresford you can visit visit can you Alresford In rest. a and refreshments

In addition to the local fare, the Wayfarers Walk is rich rich is Walk Wayfarers the fare, local the to addition In

splendidly situated on a chalk ridge and now owned by by owned now and ridge chalk a on situated splendidly Droxford and Hambledon where you can stop for for stop can you where Hambledon and Droxford

History Winchester Hill is one of Hampshire's great hill forts, forts, hill great Hampshire's of one is Hill Winchester There are villages along the way such as Kingsclere, Kingsclere, as such way the along villages are There

of Regency furniture and Italian paintings. Italian and furniture Regency of marsh wildlife. wildlife. marsh

National Trust. The house contains a fine collection collection fine a contains house The Trust. National have a relaxing seaside picnic while watching the the watching while picnic seaside relaxing a have

house, with highly distinctive gardens, owned by the the by owned gardens, distinctive highly with house, villages or a busy market town, or why not not why or town, market busy a or villages

Hinton Ampner is an elegant Neo-Georgian country country Neo-Georgian elegant an is Ampner Hinton valleys buzzing with wildlife, peaceful pubs in pretty pretty in pubs peaceful wildlife, with buzzing valleys

chalk with exhilarating views or chalk-stream chalk-stream or views exhilarating with downland chalk

the battlefield. the providing a really good day out. Choose between high high between Choose out. day good really a providing

House. A monument stands in a lane overlooking overlooking lane a in stands monument A House. The Walk has been divided into six sections, each each sections, six into divided been has Walk The

men were slain. They were forced to retreat to Basing Basing to retreat to forced were They slain. were men

Royalist army were defeated and an estimated 2,000 2,000 estimated an and defeated were army Royalist marshes along the coast to finish at Emsworth Harbour. Emsworth at finish to coast the along marshes

and infantry fought this battle. Sir Ralph Hopton’s Hopton’s Ralph Sir battle. this fought infantry and chalk turf in Hampshire down to the mud flats and salt salt and flats mud the to down Hampshire in turf chalk

of Cheriton took place. Over fifteen thousand cavalry cavalry thousand fifteen Over place. took Cheriton of 845999 or visit www.hampshirefare.co.uk on the web. web. the on www.hampshirefare.co.uk visit or 845999 finest the of some over – Inkpen at downs chalk the on

in 1644 during the English Civil War the bloody Battle Battle bloody the War Civil English the during 1644 in local food. For a guide to producers, call 01962 01962 call producers, to guide a For food. local high start, dramatic its from you take will that route

East of the village of Cheriton is the countryside where where countryside the is Cheriton of village the of East Berkshire and Hampshire boast a wide range of fine fine of range wide a boast Hampshire and Berkshire walking long-distance 70-mile, a is Walk Wayfarers The

Local fare Local Introduction

DESIGN 064989CORPORATE GRAPHICS TEAM 01962813802PRINTBYHAMPSHIREPRINTINGSERVICES ONREPEAT OFFSETRECYCLEDPAPER ©. 2012 Council. County ©Hampshire

formats 01962 870500 01962 formats Christchurch

h rtsmout Po

3

How to follow the Wayfarers Way

Publications Way Swithun’s St 11

Ringwood Available in alternative alternative in Available

h rt wo Ems

Hangers Way Hangers

10 Havant

ndhurst

For information or leaflets about the other ten long- Ly

9 Staunton Way Staunton

WAYFARERS WALK PATH 9

The route 1

Emsworth 70 mile s distance walks, please telephone Hampshire County Southampton

8 5

stretches between Council's Hantsdirect - 0845 603 5636* Trail National

South Downs Way Way Downs South

Inkpen Beacon in 8

10

Wayfarers Walk Wayfarers

2

* Calls will cost up to 4p per minute for BT customers. 7 y Salisbur

Berkshire and Emsworth WayfarersWinchester

Oxdrove Way Oxdrove

Calls made using other service providers or mobiles may 6

Harbour in Hampshire. 6

Pilgrims’ Trail Pilgrims’

4

cost more. Alternatively, call 01329 225398 - standard 11

n Alto

Hampshire Millennium Millennium Hampshire

The route is well sign posted and local rates apply to this number. 5

Andover ham rn Fa

Test Way Test

with the logo of two linked Way4

Long-distance walks

Solent Way Solent

3 WW's as shown. http://www.westberks.co.uk 320968 01252 Andover

7

Clarendon Way Clarendon Finding Your Way

A 2 70 mile long-distance

Newbury 01635 3026 http://www.westberks.co.uk 3026 01635 Newbury

Beacon

n Inkpe

Guided Walks Path Valley Avon

1

Accessible(VIC) Centres Countryside Visitor & in Hampshire(TICs) Centres Information Tourist walk from Inkpen Beacon to

Other long-distance walks long-distance Other Maps Discover Hampshire8ZF SO23 Hampshire Winchester, Castle, The Emsworth Harbour

This leaflet does not provide navigation Defence of the Realm Services Business & Community Culture,

details. The route is shown on the Useful websites www.visit-hampshire.co.uk 968 320 01252 Aldershot following Ordnance Survey maps:- (TICs) Centres Information Tourist

www.hants.gov.uk/walking

Explorer 119, 120, 132, 144 & 158 2608 608 0870 Travelling The

www.hants.gov.uk/countryside www.hants.gov.uk/longdistance/wayfarers-walk

Met Office (weather information) 0870 900 0100 900 0870 information) (weather Office Met

The route is indicated on these maps www.visit-hampshire.co.uk at: found be can information Further

with a green diamond and the name 100019180 HCC Useful contacts Useful mapping: www.hants.gov.uk/row mapping:

of the route (Wayfarers Way). www.traveline.org.uk reserved. rights All 2012. rights © Crown Copyright and database database and Copyright Crown ©

www.metoffice.co.uk for links the following by website our on

You can view the Wayfarers Walk route route Walk Wayfarers the view can You

on our website by following the links for © Crown Copyright and database www.metoffice.co.uk of the route (Wayfarers Way). Way). (Wayfarers route the of

mapping: www.hants.gov.uk/row rights 2012. All rights reserved. Useful contacts www.traveline.org.uk HCC 100019180 name the and diamond green a with

www.visit-hampshire.co.uk

Further information can be found at: Met Office (weather information) 0870 900 0100 maps these on indicated is route The

www.hants.gov.uk/longdistance/wayfarers-walk www.hants.gov.uk/countryside

The Travelling 0870 608 2608 158 & 144 132, 120, 119, Explorer

www.hants.gov.uk/walking

Tourist Information Centres (TICs) maps:- Survey Ordnance following

Useful websites Useful

Aldershot 01252 320 968 www.visit-hampshire.co.uk the on shown is route The details.

This leaflet does not provide navigation navigation provide not does leaflet This

Culture, Community & Business ServicesRealm the of Defence

Emsworth Harbour Emsworth Discover Hampshire Discover

Other long-distance walks The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8ZF Maps

Accessible Countryside in Hampshire in Countryside Accessible

walk from Inkpen Beacon to to Beacon Inkpen from 1 walk Tourist Information Centres (TICs) & Visitor Centres (VIC)

Inkpen Avon Valley Path Walks Guided Beacon Newbury 01635 3026 http://www.westberks.co.uk

A 70 mile long-distance long-distance mile 70 2 A

7 Clarendon Way Way Your Finding

3 Solent Way Andover 01252 320968 http://www.westberks.co.uk shown. as WW's Long-distance walks Long-distance

Andover Farnham 4 Test Way Way linked two of logo the with

and local rates apply to this number. number. this to apply rates local and

5 Hampshire Millennium posted sign well is route The

Alton

cost more. Alternatively, call call Alternatively, more. cost - standard standard -

4 11 Pilgrims’ Trail 225398 01329

6 Hampshire. in Harbour 6 Oxdrove Way may mobiles or providers service other using made Calls

Salisbury Winchester Wayfarers Emsworth and Berkshire * Calls will cost up to 4p per minute for BT customers. customers. BT for minute per 4p to up cost will Calls

2 10 7 Wayfarers Walk

8 South Downs Way in Beacon Inkpen Council's Hantsdirect - - Hantsdirect Council's 0845 603 5636* 603 0845

5 8 National Trail between stretches

s mile 70 Emsworth

Southampton County Hampshire telephone please walks, distance

1 route The H PAT ALK W ARERS YF

9 9 Staunton Way WA

Lyndhurst Havant 10 Hangers Way long- ten other the about leaflets or information For

Ringwood Emsworth Available in alternative

11 St Swithun’s Way Publications Way Wayfarers the follow to How 3 Christchurch Portsmouth formats 01962 870500 ©Hampshire County Council. 2012 DESIGN 06 4989 CORPORATE GRAPHICS TEAM 01962 813802 PRINT BY HAMPSHIRE PRINTING SERVICES ON REPEAT OFFSET RECYCLED PAPER ON REPEAT TEAM 01962 813802 PRINT BY HAMPSHIRE PRINTING SERVICES GRAPHICS DESIGN 06 4989 CORPORATE

Introduction Local fare The Wayfarers Walk is a 70-mile, long-distance walking Berkshire and Hampshire boast a wide range of fine East of the village of Cheriton is the countryside where route that will take you from its dramatic start, high local food. For a guide to producers, call 01962 in 1644 during the English Civil War the bloody Battle on the chalk downs at Inkpen – over some of the finest 845999 or visit www.hampshirefare.co.uk on the web. of Cheriton took place. Over fifteen thousand cavalry chalk turf in Hampshire down to the mud flats and salt and infantry fought this battle. Sir Ralph Hopton’s marshes along the coast to finish at Emsworth Harbour. Royalist army were defeated and an estimated 2,000 men were slain. They were forced to retreat to Basing The Walk has been divided into six sections, each House. A monument stands in a lane overlooking providing a really good day out. Choose between high the battlefield. chalk downland with exhilarating views or chalk-stream valleys buzzing with wildlife, peaceful pubs in pretty Hinton Ampner is an elegant Neo-Georgian country villages or a busy market town, or why not house, with highly distinctive gardens, owned by the have a relaxing seaside picnic while watching the National Trust. The house contains a fine collection marsh wildlife. of Regency furniture and Italian paintings. There are villages along the way such as Kingsclere, History Winchester Hill is one of Hampshire's great hill forts, Droxford and Hambledon where you can stop for splendidly situated on a chalk ridge and now owned by In addition to the local fare, the Wayfarers Walk is rich refreshments and a rest. In Alresford you can visit the Nature Conservancy Council. The fort has never in ancient history. It follows some of the oldest tracks the antiques shops and art galleries, take a nostalgic been excavated, but the main fortifications appear to used by shepherds to drive their animals to sheep fairs ride on a steam train, sample local crafts and foods or be a high single bank, rising in some places to some in Farnham and New Alresford. even stay for a night or two. We have listed a random twenty-three feet above the ditch. Its situation is very selection at the end of each section. Chalk covers a large area of the county and is good for important, for it is strategically placed east of the River both sheep and cereal crops. Meon, and its inhabitants would have found it easy to Along the Wayfarers Walk the changing landscape watch for invaders following along the river valley. and wildlife habitats gives a wide range of flora and As a chalk area Hampshire is also rich in flint, which fauna. The chalk downlands are rich in flowers such is displayed on many local churches, cottages and walls Warblington Castle was a large moated house built as cowslips, scabious, viper’s bugloss and wild thyme, and is still used today as a decorative building material. between 1515 and 1525. It was reduced to ruins during kidney vetch and many kinds of orchid and in the the Civil War, except for the octagonal turret of the skies the thermal-riding buzzards wheel and call to On many of the high chalk ridges there are ancient gatehouse which is still standing today. each other. hill-top forts and burial chambers. Iron Age settlers preferred the sanctuary of high ground rather than The river valleys and lush meadows are full of kingcups, the forested valleys. These ridges were also used to sweetly scented meadowsweet, ragged move animals, flint and salt around the country. The robin. Beside the clear streams look Wayfarers Walk crosses or uses three of these ancient for grey wagtails dipping and routes, The South Hants Ridgeway, the Harrow Way skipping at the water’s edge and the North Hants Ridgeway. and fluttering banded demosels amongst the reeds Highclere Castle, home of the 8th Earl and Countess and water mint. of Carnarvon, is probably the finest Victorian House still in existence. Created by Sir Charles Barry, who The wooded hangers, like also designed the Houses of Parliament, the Castle those above the village of dominates the magnificent grounds influenced by Hambledon, are especially 'Capability' Brown. beautiful in early spring when you can see the bluebells and wood There is an Egyptology exhibition recording the anemones that carpet the floor before explorations of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who, with the leafy shade closes in. Howard Carter, uncovered the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Wayfarers Way26/8/2012FINAL.indd 2 28/8/12 22:54:03