The Wayfarer's Walk
Cheriton
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Hinton Ampner
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Cheriton to Soberton
Sheep at Hinton Ampner
Saturday 22 April 2018
I chose to continue my Wayfarers Walk today because the good weather, the long daylight hours and a free Saturday made this long section, which depended on buses to get me to and from the start and end points, possible. After an early start I arrived in Winchester, pleased that the trains were running on time, and I caught the 9 o’clock bus to Cheriton. Missing this bus was not an option - the next one wouldn’t depart for another three hours!
Arriving in Cheriton it took me a while to get my bearings and find the right way to go. I popped into the village store and bought an extra drink and some crisps so as not to run out of supplies on what promised to be a long and hot day. Soon I was on my way and followed the uphill path out of the village. On top of the down I stopped for a drink and applied copious amounts of sunscreen. How wonderful to be free in the wide open space with views across the downs. Just one or two dog walkers were out this morning. After following a hedged path, the Wayfarers Walk then turned right and gently downhill towards the village of Hinton Ampner past an ancient battlefield and then uphill to the National Trust property. I ambled around the church and beautiful garden for a while before continuing. After a slight (unintended) detour I found the correct path which now led delightfully through a pastoral scene of fresh Spring green meadows and trees in this beautifully tended NT land. I adored watching the gambolling lambs having a wonderful time under the watchful eyes of their mums.
Soon I arrived in the village of Kilmeston and then I made what could have been a calamitous error. Because the general direction of the walk between Hinton Ampner and the road where the Wayfarer meets the South Downs Way stayed the same I didn’t feel the need to consult the map. I was reassured when I saw the signpost which pointed through the field ahead. But, possibly distracted by a sign requesting walkers to stay on the path because of nesting birds, and because there was no clearly visible path through the field, I followed what looked like a path alongside a hedge. However, when I reached the end of the field and arrived by College Down Farm, a sign made it clear that there was strictly no footpath here. I belatedly consulted my map and realised that I should gone further to the right. I really didn’t want to backtrack and decided to follow the track to the right, however, that soon petered out and I ended up in a field surrounded by a hedge and barbed wire fence. Reaching the first corner I turned left to the next corner, glimpsing a good track on the other side of the fence. I was feeling trapped and beginning to think that I may have no option but to turn back. However, when I reached the southern end of the field the wire fence, although topped with barbed wire was low enough for me to climb over, using one of the non-barbed lower wires as a stepping point. I gently lowered my backpack across first and am pleased to report that I reached the other side unscathed without so much as a scratch or torn clothing. I wasn’t shot at or savaged by a dog either!
I chose to continue my Wayfarers Walk today because the good weather, the long daylight hours and a free Saturday made this long section, which depended on buses to get me to and from the start and end points, possible. After an early start I arrived in Winchester, pleased that the trains were running on time, and I caught the 9 o’clock bus to Cheriton. Missing this bus was not an option - the next one wouldn’t depart for another three hours!
Arriving in Cheriton it took me a while to get my bearings and find the right way to go. I popped into the village store and bought an extra drink and some crisps so as not to run out of supplies on what promised to be a long and hot day. Soon I was on my way and followed the uphill path out of the village. On top of the down I stopped for a drink and applied copious amounts of sunscreen. How wonderful to be free in the wide open space with views across the downs. Just one or two dog walkers were out this morning. After following a hedged path, the Wayfarers Walk then turned right and gently downhill towards the village of Hinton Ampner past an ancient battlefield and then uphill to the National Trust property. I ambled around the church and beautiful garden for a while before continuing. After a slight (unintended) detour I found the correct path which now led delightfully through a pastoral scene of fresh Spring green meadows and trees in this beautifully tended NT land. I adored watching the gambolling lambs having a wonderful time under the watchful eyes of their mums.
Soon I arrived in the village of Kilmeston and then I made what could have been a calamitous error. Because the general direction of the walk between Hinton Ampner and the road where the Wayfarer meets the South Downs Way stayed the same I didn’t feel the need to consult the map. I was reassured when I saw the signpost which pointed through the field ahead. But, possibly distracted by a sign requesting walkers to stay on the path because of nesting birds, and because there was no clearly visible path through the field, I followed what looked like a path alongside a hedge. However, when I reached the end of the field and arrived by College Down Farm, a sign made it clear that there was strictly no footpath here. I belatedly consulted my map and realised that I should gone further to the right. I really didn’t want to backtrack and decided to follow the track to the right, however, that soon petered out and I ended up in a field surrounded by a hedge and barbed wire fence. Reaching the first corner I turned left to the next corner, glimpsing a good track on the other side of the fence. I was feeling trapped and beginning to think that I may have no option but to turn back. However, when I reached the southern end of the field the wire fence, although topped with barbed wire was low enough for me to climb over, using one of the non-barbed lower wires as a stepping point. I gently lowered my backpack across first and am pleased to report that I reached the other side unscathed without so much as a scratch or torn clothing. I wasn’t shot at or savaged by a dog either!
River Meon
Following the uphill track I soon reached the road. I turned right along the road and soon reached the place where I should have emerged from the meadows. I followed the path with my binoculars and felt just a tiny bit upset that I missed out on the pleasant looking ramble. But hey-ho these solo walks are my adventures – never quite knowing what lies in store makes for the challenge and excitement I seem to need!
For a short while the Wayfarers Walk now joined the South Downs Way, past Windmill Farm to Lomer Farm. Here the Wayfarers path heads south again and a pleasant walk led to Betty Mundy’s Bottom. There were glimpses of a quirky garden with strange sights (e.g. a London Bus and dinosaurs) and a pretty duck lake. Sadly, there was no access to the garden but the walk through the adjacent woodland was pretty special. I enjoyed my lunch here at a wooden table and seat, surrounded by wood anemones and primroses. The farms in this area look very large and prosperous. None more so than St Clairs Farm. I walked around it and then the walk continued along a road before skirting Bottom Copse. Here I saw lots of screeching pheasant-like birds that I couldn’t identify. The woodland spring flowers were a constant delight. Next the walk encroached Corhampton Golf Club. The weather has brought out the golfers and I was just slightly concerned about errant golf balls. However, golfers tend to be a considerate lot and I emerged unscathed.
For the first time today I was now aware of time passing and I decided it was time to stop ambling. I walked briskly to Droxford but had to shelter briefly from an unexpected rain shower. Droxford seems a nice place and I was so happy to see Christina’s Shop and, in particular, the ‘Tea in the Garden’ sign. I ordered my tea and cake and settled in the garden for a blissful half hour. The restorative power of tea and cake is amazing! After passing the church, the path crossed the River Meon and then followed the river before veering away to follow the road through the pretty village of Soberton. Soon after I finished today’s Wayfarer Way section at the point where it meets the Allan King Way.
I still had to cover a few miles to reach the bus stop in Swanmore. I followed the King Way and what a pleasant route that turned out to be. There was a delightful stretch along the Meon and then uphill through blazing yellow rapeseed fields. On the approach to Swanmore I passed a large orchard in full bloom. Only the last mile or so became a bit tedious! In the end I had 15 minutes to spare before the arrival of the last bus to Winchester.
For a short while the Wayfarers Walk now joined the South Downs Way, past Windmill Farm to Lomer Farm. Here the Wayfarers path heads south again and a pleasant walk led to Betty Mundy’s Bottom. There were glimpses of a quirky garden with strange sights (e.g. a London Bus and dinosaurs) and a pretty duck lake. Sadly, there was no access to the garden but the walk through the adjacent woodland was pretty special. I enjoyed my lunch here at a wooden table and seat, surrounded by wood anemones and primroses. The farms in this area look very large and prosperous. None more so than St Clairs Farm. I walked around it and then the walk continued along a road before skirting Bottom Copse. Here I saw lots of screeching pheasant-like birds that I couldn’t identify. The woodland spring flowers were a constant delight. Next the walk encroached Corhampton Golf Club. The weather has brought out the golfers and I was just slightly concerned about errant golf balls. However, golfers tend to be a considerate lot and I emerged unscathed.
For the first time today I was now aware of time passing and I decided it was time to stop ambling. I walked briskly to Droxford but had to shelter briefly from an unexpected rain shower. Droxford seems a nice place and I was so happy to see Christina’s Shop and, in particular, the ‘Tea in the Garden’ sign. I ordered my tea and cake and settled in the garden for a blissful half hour. The restorative power of tea and cake is amazing! After passing the church, the path crossed the River Meon and then followed the river before veering away to follow the road through the pretty village of Soberton. Soon after I finished today’s Wayfarer Way section at the point where it meets the Allan King Way.
I still had to cover a few miles to reach the bus stop in Swanmore. I followed the King Way and what a pleasant route that turned out to be. There was a delightful stretch along the Meon and then uphill through blazing yellow rapeseed fields. On the approach to Swanmore I passed a large orchard in full bloom. Only the last mile or so became a bit tedious! In the end I had 15 minutes to spare before the arrival of the last bus to Winchester.
My highlights:
Transport:
- Walk through Hinton Ampner National Trust land
- Betty Mundy’s Bottom
- Droxford (especially tea and cake at Christina’s)
- Spring flowers
- Farmland animals (sheep, cows and horses)
- Deer and squirrels
- Pheasants and farmland birds
- A few early butterflies
- Spring flowers, such as cowslips, primroses, wood anemones and a few early bluebells
Transport:
- Train Reading to Winchester; bus Stagecoach No 67 (Winchester-Alresford-Petersfield) to Cheriton
- Return: Bus Stagecoach No 69 (Fareham-Bishops Waltham-Winchester) from Swanmore to Winchester, train Winchester to Reading
- Winchester
- Cheriton (convenience store)
- Droxford
- Soberton (pub)
- Winchester
Lunch in Betty Mundy's Bottom
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Tree Tunnel near Corhampton
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