Situated on the northern edge of the South Downs National Park a couple of miles south of New Alresford and seven miles to the east of Winchester, the charming village of Cheriton makes an ideal base for a walk. The peaceful surrounding countryside is criss-crossed by footpaths and bridleways, with two long distance paths, the Wayfarer’s Walk and the Itchen Way (the source of the River Itchen lies just to the south of Cheriton), passing through the village and the South Downs Way National Trail not far away. The local pub, the Flowerpots Inn, has its own brewery, known for its award-winning cask ale and beer.
This walk which starts, appropriately enough for the month of November, from the war memorial by the village green, follows a stretch of the Wayfarer’s Walk for the outward leg and a section of the South Downs Way on the return leg. Both trails are well waymarked and the walking over the gently undulating terrain quite easy. The initial stage of the walk passes the site of one of the most important battles of the Civil War, which took place in March 1644, the Parliamentarians defeating the Royalists. The Battle of Cheriton marked a turning point in the war, which eventually led to the downfall of Charles I.
A couple of miles north-east of the village at the junction of Cheriton Lane and Scrubbs Lane there’s a memorial to the Battle of Cheriton. Although not included in this route, it’s well worth visiting: a lovely peaceful spot with views over the rolling countryside, and an easy walk along tracks and quiet country lanes, or a short drive.
Just across the A272 to the south of the battle fields is the National Trust property of Hinton Ampner. This was the Neo-Georgian style home of Ralph Dutton, the 8th Lord Sherborne, a renowned collector and connoisseur of fine arts, who inherited it in 1934. Following a devastating fire in 1960 he painstakingly rebuilt and furnished it. The property was left to the National Trust on his death. The house and gardens are open to the public and there are waymarked estate walks, mostly along public rights of way. This route incorporates a section of one of those along the Wayfarer’s Walk to Kilmeston.
The walk
1 (SU583284) From the war memorial walk along the village lane with the picturesque green on your left, crossing a bridge over the River Itchen. Pass the post office and village shop on your left and take the next right across another bridge turning right to the end of the road. Take the left of the two footpaths, the Wayfarer’s Walk, up the narrow enclosed path, keeping ahead when the path reaches the open. After a right then left bend, maintain direction at the first path intersection.
2 (SU595286) Turn right at the second intersection and follow the path down to join an access road at Primrose Cottage which leads to the A272. Look out for an information panel about the Cheriton battlefield site on the right-hand side on the way. Cross the main road with care and continue up the lane signed for Hinton Ampner. At a fork where the road bends left keep ahead to reach All Saints Church on your right. The church is of Saxon origin, but thought to have been largely rebuilt in the 13th century. There are two fine 20th century stained glass windows at the east end, representing a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire illustrating a quotation from the Book of Exodus. The drive leads to Hinton Ampner House and its gardens, but the Wayfarer’s Walk continues to the left opposite the church.
3 (SU597276) Go through the gate bearing right down the path beside a fence on the right. Go through two kissing gates and continue gently up the grass to the next gate and on across the field to another heading up the right-hand side of the field to a stile in the top right-hand corner and lane.
4 (SU592264) Turn right past the church to the road junction and take the public footpath on the opposite side by the phone box. Follow this to Beauworth, turn left at the road and right along Westfield Drove (road), joining the South Downs Way (SDW).
5 (SU564255) Turn right onto a track by a barn to follow the SDW to Holden Farm and the A272. Cross with care and continue up the track to a gate and T-junction. Turn right along the edge of the field (Gander Down) to another gate in the corner.
6 (SU562273) Leaving the SDW turn right through the gate and follow the path which curves round to the left. Just after the bend cross a stile on the right and follow the footpath across fields eventually joining a surfaced track which becomes a lane. Just before the B3046 T-junction turn right along a path to Cheriton’s Church of St Michael and All Angels, built on a small hill and founded in the 12th century. Follow the path from the porch back down to the B3046, the village green opposite.
Compass points
Start/finish: Roadside parking on the village lane by the green just beyond the war memorial, situated at junction with B3046 (SU583284)
Map: OS Explorer OL32
Distance: 7¼ miles (11.7km)
Terrain: Bridleways, tracks, field paths and lanes
Time: 3¼ hours
Refreshments: Flowerpots Inn, Cheriton (01962 771318), Hinton Arms, Cheriton (01962 771252), café at Hinton Ampner (NT), Holden Farm Café (07599 553740),
Public transport: Stagecoach bus no 67 between Winchester and Petersfield via Cheriton, www.stagecoachbus.com.
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