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Home , Bramdean, Hinton Ampner, Itchen Valley, Kilmeston, New Alresford

RIVER ITCHEN SOUTH DOWNS CYCLE RIDES NATIONAL PARK Near to you’ll find a source of the River Itchen. RIVER ITCHEN From rolling hills to bustling market towns, the This beautiful chalk stream Look out for buzzard, ALRESFORD INTO THE South Downs National Park’s landscapes cover flows for approximately 28 fork-tailed red kite and 1,600km² of breathtaking views, hidden gems miles from mid- kestrel flying overhead, SOUTH DOWNS and quintessentially English scenery. A rich to . as well as little egret and tapestry of wildlife, landscapes, tranquillity heron by the river. and visitor attractions, weave together The river has international a story of people and place in harmony. importance and is During spring the designated as a Site of hedgerows and For your guide to everything there is Special Scientific Interest woodlands are alive to see and do in the National Park visit (SSSI) due to its high quality with wild flowers and southdowns.gov.uk/discovery-map habitats which support a butterflies. You may even range of protected species spot kingfishers, butterflies Keep up to date with the including the water vole, and dragonflies along the latest news and events from otter, salmon and white- river banks. the South Downs National Park. clawed crayfish. southdowns.gov.uk/newsletter

YOUR COUNTRYSIDE CODE: RESPECT. PROTECT. ENJOY. Respect other people © S. Morley • Leave gates and property as you find them • Keep to the paths unless on Open Access Land This route has been put together in collaboration with Protect the natural environment the National Byway Trust and has been adopted as the • Take your litter home East Loop. The National Byway Trust is a • Keep dogs under effective control registered charity facilitating the integration of social, Enjoy the outdoors environmental, health, economic and educational • Plan ahead and be prepared benefits from cycling. • Follow advice and local signs thenationalbyway.org GODALMING TUNBRIDGE RIVER WELLS ITCHEN National Park Area Railway WINCHESTER Station

MIDHURST PULBOROUGH SOUTHAMPTON LEWES CHICHESTER BRIGHTON & HOVE BOGNOR EASTBOURNE REGIS

FIND YOUR WAY Follow the arrows on waymarkers along the route. Footpath Bridleway Restricted byway

Cheriton, Hampshire Byway  © Joe Low Open access land National Trail Acorn POINTS OF INTEREST GETTING HERE CONTACT By rail: The route starts South Downs National  buildings seen in the town centre the road there is a gravestone to a This small Georgian town is famous today are from the Georgian period horse named Melksham owned by from New Alresford Park Authority: for its production of . This despite the town originating in the Colonel R. Meinertzhagen. heritage railway station, 01730 814810 commodity increased in importance 12/13th century. Visit visit watercressline.co.uk @SDNPA /SDNPA after the Mid-Hants railway, visitwinchester.co.uk for the Battle HINTON AMPNER By bike: New Alresford is southdownsnp commonly known as The Watercress of Cheriton Walk, an informative 5 This elegant country manor was approximately 10 miles With thanks to Line, was constructed in 1865 to mile walk around the battle site. lovingly rebuilt by its last owner, from Winchester and can and Hinton Ampner, transport locally grown watercress Ralph Dutton, after a catastrophic be reached via the NCN and Cheriton to and beyond. Today CHURCH IN THE WOOD fire in 1960. The beautifully Route 23 (sustrans.org.uk). Parish Councils for their it operates a steam train service At Bramdean make a stop at proportioned rooms house his Use a journey planner to assistance with this leaflet. between Alresford and Alton with this simple tin chapel erected on exquisite collection of ceramics plan your route. trains carrying traditional guards Bramdean Common in 1883 for the and art, while the windows offer and providing space for bicycles. commoners and charcoal burners undisturbed views across manicured No public parking in any of Visit watercressline.co.uk who used to work there. lawns and past borders of colourful the villages on this route. for more information. roses to the tranquil South Downs CIRCLE OF STONES National Park countryside beyond. BATTLE OF CHERITON Created in the 1830s, these stones This National Trust property is open SOUTHDOWNS.GOV.UK From Alresford the route passes were erected by eccentric local to the public most of the year. All uncredited photos Mischa Haller © SDNPA. Details correct at time of going to print. Please be aware that routes are shared with other users (vehicles, the site of the Battle of Cheriton at landowner Colonel Greenwood nationaltrust.org.uk/ pedestrians, dogs, horses etc) and users of this route do so at their own risk. We do not accept any responsibility for loss, damage or injury, however caused, Cheriton Down. In 1644, defeated as part of a fitness regime after his hinton-ampner arising directly or indirectly from use of this leaflet. Contains Ordnance Survey Please data © Crown copyright and database right 2013. recycle me royalists set fire to New Alresford physician told him to take more after use as they withdrew, so most of the exercise. On the opposite side of SDNPA/The Way Design/April 2018 © SDNPA Crown copyright Explore the traditional Hampshire villages of the picturesque Upper Heading north from Alresford railway station, turn right 1onto West Street which continues into East Street. Turn right onto Sun Lane uphill, pass the school and near the end turn left on Whitehill Road towards .

Take the first right to Appledown Lane under 2the bypass. Follow the road round to the right and then left where it turns into a restricted byway (partially tarmaced). ON ROAD ALTERNATIVE: Pass the solar farm on your left and continue over the hill. Turn right at the T-junction then continue straight over the roundabout (take care) on to Old Park Road and proceed south to Bramdean Common. Turn left at the fork towards ‘Woodlands’, rejoining at route point five.

At the end of the byway turn left onto the road (Cheriton Lane) and ride on passing a junction with a civil war Church in the Wood, 3 Bramdean Common memorial stone, plaque and view point. © Winchester City Council Follow the road into Cheriton Wood. At the sharp left 4bend leave the road and continue straight on to the restricted byway for 1.5km (keeping left after 300m) until THE UPPER RIVER ITCHEN VALLEY you reach the road at Bramdean Common. DISTANCE: ROUTE: KEY: Route ON ROAD ALTERNATIVE: If Cheriton Wood is too muddy, Main route: There are three off-road On-road only route continue on the road to Manor House Farm, then turn right 16 miles/26km sections (restricted Point of interest (optional) into Old Park Road and take the second left at Bramdean (some off-road sections) byways) but all have Pub Common signed ‘Woodlands’ to continue the route at A Road or 17 miles/27km on-road alternatives. Refreshments point 5.) The track will open out onto Bramdean Common (full on-road route) B Road before arriving at a T-junction with a road. Turn left GR ADIENT: Toilets Restricted byway towards a black & white signpost. At the signpost take ALLOW: Undulating 231 metres Parking a right towards ‘Woodlands’. Long Distance Path 2.5–3.5 hours total climb. The steepest Bus stop climb is from the crossing Bridleway As you pass Bramdean Common look left for signs to of the A272 to Brockwood Shop Footpath the ‘Church in the Woods’, which is well worth a visit. 5 Park – approximately 50m Golf course Woodland climb in less than one km. Bear left at the fork in the road signposted ‘Woodlands’. Route point Buildings Pass Wolfhanger Farm and after 1.5km turn sharp right 6 Railway station Open access land opposite Stable Cottage. Continue downhill to the A272 and Heritage railway (in shaded area) the nearby Circle of Stones. START Take care crossing the A272, ride uphill past ALRESFORD Brockwood Park School and keep right at the next 7 STATION fork, passing the Krishnamurti Foundation. MAP REF: Find this area on STATION Turn right at the next road junction, then bear OS Explorer OL32 (was 132) THE W ATE 8right at the next fork signposted Hinton Ampner RC RE and continue between the hedgerows. SS L 1 INE NEW B3047 Where the road bends round to the right, after two ALRESFORD 9cottages on the right hand side, leave the road and continue straight ahead along a restricted byway, 2 crossing a tarmac road and passing south of Hinton A31 ST S WITH Ampner House. At the small woodland designated as K UN L ’S A W “source of the Itchen” take a right at the road. W A B3046 Y ’S OLD PARK ROAD R E ON ROAD ALTERNATIVE: Follow the road as it swings R YFA round to the right beside two cottages. Go uphill and WA at the next junction turn left, heading south. Continue 12 CHE into the village of Kilmeston and turn right at the RITO N L village junction heading north to an ‘S’ bend near AN E where a source of the River Itchen rises. BRAMDEAN BATTLE OF COMMON 3 CHERITON RIVER ITCHEN 11 Continue north to the junction with the A272. 4 5 10Take care crossing the road and continue CHERITON WOOD ahead on the B3046 passing through the picturesque CHURCH IN village of Cheriton. THE WOOD

Turn left at the junction signed and CHERITON 11continue through the village. (Take a detour to 6 visit St Andrew’s church for scenic views.)

Leaving Tichborne, head north and take the BRAMDEAN 12first right after the bypass (National Cycle Network (NCN) route 23) crossing over the ford. Continue through the watercress beds, turn left at the junction and take the fifth right on to South Road. HINTON A272 Take the right after the bend on to Grange Road A SOURCE OF AMPNER THE ITCHEN CIRCLE OF (NCN route 23), at the end of the road turn left and 10 7 STONES continue under the railway bridge. Take the first right SHORLEY after the bridge and continue to Alresford railway COPSE station. 9 N Open Access Land JOAN’S ACRE WOOD 0 0.5 miles Wherever you see this symbol you are free KILMESTON to walk and picnic within the mapped area. 8 1km Please be aware of livestock and wildlife. BROCKWOOD COPSE