New Alresford & Abbotstone Circular

Hampshire Walk

Countryside Walk + Pub Walk

Walk Route Description

Click image to see photo description.

New Alresford is an attractive market town on the banks of the River Alre and surrounded by a verdant rolling landscape. The arrival of the railway allowed the water cress industry to flourish and today the remnants of this industry can still be seen. The route uses paths and tracks to explore the landscape north of Alresford including the village of Abbotstone.

The walk starts from New Alresford railway station where parking is available (grid ref. SU588325). After parking follow Station Road north away from the station. Turn right along West Street and then first left into Broad Street. When Broad Street bends right, walk ahead and descend Mill Hill. Turn left into Ladywell Lane which soon becomes a footpath. Continue to the River Alre and turn right across a footbridge over the river. Continue to a road (grid ref. SU585322).

Turn left and after 150 metres turn right along a gravel road which runs alongside watercress beds on the right with a few houses on the left. Just before the last house, pass through a gap in the fence on the right and continue along to a stile. The path leads across a field and onto Manor Farm to join a tarmac lane. When this lane bends right, turn left to join a track running between hedges. After 2.6 kilometres the track reaches a road on the edge of Abbotstone after ignoring two tracks on the left (grid ref. SU567345). Bear right along the road, ignore the track forking right and continue ahead at the next junction. Cross a stream and fork left signed to Itchen Stoke after passing a thatched cottage on the right.

After 700 metres and near the top of the hill, turn left onto a track between hedges just after a metal barrier on the left. The track descends gently into the valley and after just over a kilometre reaches a T-junction of tracks just after a house on the left (grid ref. SU570335). Turn right and join the Wayfarer’s Walk and continue for a kilometre to a road. Bear left and within a short distance fork left off the road along a footpath between wooden fences. Follow path to a junction with a hand gate on the right. Keep right and follow path beside a fence to a house called 'The Lodge'. The path drops down to border the River Alre and continues to exit onto a road. Follow the road down to a crossroads and turn left along West Street. Turn right onto Station Road and the start.

Walk GradingMore Hampshire Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 1964	Abbotstone from Old Alresford	easy	5.1 miles
Walk 3324	Cheriton Mill & Tichborne from Cheriton	easy	5.7 miles
Walk 2882	Hinton Ampner & Kilmeston from Cheriton	moderate	8.4 miles
Walk 2459	Upper Wield & Godsfield Circular	easy/mod	6.7 miles
Walk 1034	Beacon and Old Winchester Hills on the South Downs	moderate	10.5 miles