the track. At the top end you will cross a short length of arable
land to a stile into a paddock, another stile out of the paddock
and then to the multi-fingered post in the corner of the field at
Watchbury Copse. Unless you wish to extend your walk
through Watchbury Copse, turn right and proceed southwards
up the slope keeping to the side of the field and over the stile at
the top. Ignore the first kissing gate you meet on your left and
continue towards Harridens Great Copse. Here a stile on your
left takes you through a band of trees into a field. Keeping to
the fence line on your right hand, you will come to another stile
on your right, over a sleeper bridge into Harridens Great
Copse.
Keep to the paths through the woods into Moor Copse and
over stile and across field to a second stile. Turn right, over stile
and to the bypass. Slightly to the right across the bypass is a
sleeper bridge followed by a stile into a field. Bear right to a
kissing gate the other side of the field, through the gate, up to
the road, turn right and the road leads you to the orginal path
from North Street.
WALK 3
This walk starts at the lay-by to the east of the Golf Club, off
the Kingsclere By-Pass and is about 2-miles long.
Take the bridleway running north from the lay-by across the
Golf Course and proceed between two buildings until reaching
a T junction. Turn left at the finger post and follow the wide
footpath down hill through Sandford Woods and out on to
Frith Common. At the finger post turn right and proceed to
Spinney Cottage. Here turn left, and follow the track behind
the cottage, enter the woods, turn right and follow the footpath
through the woods and out into the field. You will see a stile on
your right diagonally across the field. Cross this and then go
across some marshy ground to the trees at the north corner.
Close by you will see another stile which leads to Wheathold
Farm. Do not take that route unless you wish to lengthen your
walk, but turn hard left before crossing the stile, following the
narrow path through a small wood on the edge of the marshy
ground and out into a field on your right. Continue ahead
following farm track past Summers’s Copse, until reaching the
tarmaced road. Turn left down hill and pass Frith Common
Farm. At the finger post you will find yourself at the first
stretch of your walk, taking you back to the lay-by.
WALK 6
This Walk of about 4-miles starts from the centre of the
village, close by the car park, opposite St. Mary’s church with
its "bedbug" weathervane.
With the church behind you, go up Anchor Road until you
reach the footpath at the end. A few paces and you bear left
into the recreation ground, keep to the hedge line over the top
towards the Radio Mast at Hannington. As you pass the lower
end of the field the area to your left is a wildflower meadow
mentioned in "Treasures of Hampshire".
After descending the steps you reach Hollowshot Lane. Turn
left at the cottages and continue along the track, the last 200
yards through a "tunnel" of bushes, to the junction where open
fields ahead and to the right require a decision. The right fork
leads across the field, usually cereal crops, and then quite
steeply uphill towards the eastern end of Cottington Hill. At
the top there is a small water tank at the junction and the walk
goes to the left towards the farm building at Plantation Farm.
Views on both sides of this track make the uphill walk well
worth while. The Portway Roman Road once ran up the
bottom of the valley.
At the water tank it is possible to continue ahead to the village of
Hannington where "the Vine" offers refreshments. During May this
route is also complimented by an array of bluebells which can be
seen growing in the woods.
On reaching the farm, bear left along the road and after 50
yards or so, leave the road and walk along the bridleway which
takes you down the hill and along the track, to the junction of
Hollowshot Lane. A slight rise on the right fork at this point
leads to a wide track, wooded on both sides, and after 600
yards turn left along a footpath which skirts the top edge of
"The Dell" to the right and then brings you out onto the
recreation ground, where a right turn towards the village leads
you to your start point.
●
Bridleways as footpaths + horse riders and cyclists
●
Byways as bridleways + horse drawn vehicles and
motor vehicles
(Indicated by a yellow arrow)
(Indicated by a blue arrow)
(Indicated by a red arrow)
There is a 4th classification called RUPPs (roads used as
public paths) these routes are open to walkers, horse riders,
cyclists, horse drawn vehicles but not motor vehicles unless
there is evidence stating otherwise. RUPPs are due to be
reclassified as Restricted Byways and will be indicated by a
purple arrow. Restricted Byways will be for walkers, horse
riders, cyclists and horse drawn vehicles.
A permissive path is not a public right of way, but the public
is allowed to use it with the permission of the land owner.
Ordnance Survey Explorer maps show public rights of way as
well as long distance routes. Explorer 144 shows Kingsclere
and the surrounding area, also shown on this map are parts of
the Test and Wayfarer’s Walk which are long distance routes
promoted by Hamphire County Council. Ordnance Survey
maps can be purchased from most book shops.
The Countryside Code - advice for the public
Copse.
Having passed under the main power lines bear right and follow
Rights of way are split up into 4 classifications.
● Footpaths are for walkers only but includes, wheelchairs
and pushchairs and dogs – these are known as natural
accompaniments.
To ensure that the countryside is protected for future
generations a 'Countryside Code' exists. The rules of the
Country Code are:
Be safe
●
Plan ahead and follow any signs
●
Leave gates and property as you find them and take
●
your litter home
Protect plants and animals
●
Keep dogs under close control
●
Consider other people
This walk is mainly on level ground and includes both open
fields and woodland; about 3-miles.
From the north end of North Street turn right down Love
Lane and almost immediately bear left. This will take you over
the Kingsclere by-pass (A339). Proceed in a northerly
direction, over the stream, to Nutkin’s Farm drive, turn right,
back over the stream and keeping in front of the house and
barn, over the stile into the grass field. When reaching
Harridens Farm drive turn left for a short distance and then
right across some grass to a gap in the hedge where there is a
stile and bridge over a ditch. Keeping to the west of the farm
buildings, proceed over the field whilst gradually converging
with the stream where there is another stile at Harridens Great
Rights of way are paths and tracks which you, the public, can
use. These routes generally cross over private land, and we ask
you to bear this in mind and be responsible when exercising
your rights to use such routes.
●
WALK 2
This walk starts in the village alongside The Old House in
Newbury Road at Frog’s Hole. (Parking is available in the
centre of the village). It is an easy walk across fields and
through some of our many copses, about 3-miles.
From Frog’s Hole follow the path to the left of the cottages,
over a stile and across the field to Porch Farm, walk along the
side of the barn, turn right for a short distance, then left along
the field edge. Turn right when reaching the bridleway (it can
get very muddy), bear left where the bridleway forks and right
when reaching the track which leads to a builders yard at
Fobury. Follow the bridleway to your right, past the fishing
lakes. Cross a sleeper bridge, keep to the field edge, bear left
through Southwood Copse, across a wide gravel track and still
following the bridleway you will cross a stream over the wide
bridge. Keeping the small pumping station on your left, and
before reaching a metal field gate turn right and over a stile
into a field. Keeping the field edge on your left you will come
to a stile in the corner of the field leading into a copse. Follow
the path to Kisby’s Farm drive, over a stile into the field in
front of the farm, cross the field keeping the farm on your left
to a stile, followed by a bridge, and another stile. Then turn left
along the field edge, through a gap in the trees and across a
bridge. Turn right along the field edge to a wide track, turn left
at the wide gravel track which will take you to the top of the
rise and then alongside the field edge to Cottismore Nursery.
Turn right when reaching the nursery car park and proceed to
the far end of the site where you will find a small wooden gate
on your right into the rabbit proof area. Go through the gate
and keeping the fence on your left you will pass out of the
rabbit free zone, proceed diagonally across the next field which
adjoins an arable field. Keeping the edge on your left, proceed
back to the bridleway at Frobury.
You may then retrace your steps to Frog’s Hole or bear left to
follow route 5 (see map) on the bridleway leading to the Star
Inn on the A339. Turn right at the main road along the
footpath and right again at the electricity sub-station, over the
stile and then over another stile into the field near Porch Farm
which you originally crossed when leaving Frog’s Hole.
NOTES
This walk is not for the faint hearted. It has some steep gradients
but is worth trying for the beautiful views; about 5-miles.
Starting from the car park/picnic area at White Hill, turn left
along Wayfarer’s Walk (signposted) and then left again over a
stile following the path along the field edge towards the wireless
mast. Turn right at the double stile and take the next left
through the metal gate and down steep slope to stile. Turn right
following fence. Turn sharp left down steep hill at Freemantle
Park Down, and at bottom of hill go a few yards left along a
broad ride, turning right straight across a long field path to
stile at Hollowshot Lane. Turn left here to the Winchester
Road, turn left on the road, continue a few yards, cross road
and pass in front of Gaily Mill along stream to Old Burghclere
Road. Turn left, proceed a short distance and then turn left
again through a walk-through stile, along the gallops, bear left
up a wide field path and then right along a farm track. Turn
left through the trees, over a stile and follow the steep path up
to the gallops on Cannon Heath Down. Turn sharp left
through wooden gate and along the Down to the car park.
The Rights of Way Network
Kingsclere Parish Council – Tel 01635 298634
WALK 1
WALK 4 (& 5)
This leaflet has been produced and published by Kingsclere Parish Council with support from Hampshire
County Council’s Hampshire Paths Partnership. The various walks are suggested routes which have been put
forward by Kingclere Parish Council. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this leaflet, the
Publishers are unable to accept any responsibility for accident or loss resulting from following the
information contain herewith. Information contained within the leaflet was correct at time of print. Wear
suitable clothing and footwear and take care when crossing roads. Tell someone when and where you are
going walking and when you expect to be back.
© Kingsclere Parish Council 2005. Printed March 2005.
Of the many walks in the parish just a few have been chosen,
intended to show the varied countryside including open
downland, steep slopes, small fields and woodland. The rights
of way shown on this map are recorded on the definitive map
and as such the public have the right to use them.
Hampshire County Council Responsibilities
● Ensuring that rights of way are free from obstruction
and that they can be used by the public
● Clearing the surface vegetation from rights of way and
ensuring that the surface is in a fit condition for its
intended use
● The maintenance of some, but not all bridges
● Signposting and, where appropriate, waymarking rights
of way
● Authorising stiles and gates on rights of way
● Keeping the definitive map up to date
Landowner Responsibilities
● Keep back side growth and overhanging vegetation
which may be encroaching onto the path
● Refrain from obstructing rights of way
● Refrain from ploughing a footpath or bridleway which
constitutes the headland of a field, or runs alongside a
hedgerow.
● Ensure that paths across fields are reinstated two weeks
after ploughing and making sure that the line of a right
of way is clear through crops
● Obtain the consent of the County Council before
erecting new stiles or gates on rights of way and
ensuring that all are kept in a safe and usable condition
and replaced when necessary
● Not allow any dairy bull over ten months of age free
range of any field through which a footpath or
bridleway passes
User Responsibilities
● To use all rights of way with respect for the owner of
the land over which it passes and for other users of the
network
● To use rights of way only for their designated purpose
● To keep any dog with you under close control (if
necessary, on a lead) and not to permit it to run over
private land adjoining the right of way
● To prevent your dog from fouling a right of way so as to
be a nuisance to other users
● To comply with the country code
For further information on walking in Hampshire please contact
Hampshire County Council on:
0800 028 0888 (Freephone) or www.hants.gov.uk/countryside
Kingsclere Parish Council