Bighton: The Three Horseshoes

Start/Finish: This circular walk begins and ends at The Three Horseshoes Pub in Bighton, a quietly charming village just northeast of New Alresford. Flint cottages, winding lanes, and sweeping farmland set the scene, with views that seem to roll endlessly toward the South Downs.

The pub makes a satisfying reward at the end of a good walk. Nestled in the heart of the village, it blends rustic charm with thoughtful hospitality. Inside, you’ll find a warm, welcoming atmosphere with exposed beams, a crackling fire in cooler months, and a menu that celebrates British fare with a modern touch.

On a sunny day, the courtyard and garden offer the kind of spot where time slows down - ideal for lingering over lunch, sipping something cold, or simply soaking up the warmth with a book or a walking companion.

The Three Horsehoes, Bighton, SO24 9RE https://www.thethreehorseshoesbighton.com/

Grid: SU 61448 34425; what3words///swims.hikes.testers. 

The pub car park is for customers only, so please plan to enjoy some refreshments before or after your walk. Alternatively, individuals may be able to park the Community Hall Car Park but please be mindful not to block any residents nor agricultural gates.

Terrain: The walk loops through a mix of quiet lanes, open farmland, and woodland edges.

 1

Turn right out of the Three Horseshoes pub and walk along the road then turn right into Bighton Community Hall Car Park.

Facing the playground, take the gravel track to your left. Follow this track uphill until you reach a junction, turn left onto the footpath and follow it until you reach the road.

Turn right onto Nettlebed Lane, which climbs steadily and guides you out of Bighton into open countryside.

 2

After approximately 0.8 miles (1.3 km), look out for Nettlebed House on your right - a distinctive landmark marking your next turn. Turn right onto the Oxdrove Way, a broad bridleway that traces the line of an old Drove Road once used for moving livestock across the Downs.

You’re now on a gently undulating stretch flanked by open fields and hedgerows. The path is well-defined, with a mix of gravel and compacted earth, and offers a real sense of space and solitude. Be sure to pause at the second hay store on the left. it’s a lovely spot to catch your breath, sip some water, and take in the layered landscape.

 3

After approximately 1.4 miles (2.3 km) the Oxdrove Way passes through Upper Lanham Farm, with a cluster of agricultural buildings on either side. Shortly after leaving the buildings behind, look out for a field on your right, accessed via a farm gate and a stile. This turning comes just after a hedge, and the footpath marker can be easy to miss, so keep a close eye.

You are now entering fields that are often used for grazing cattle, so be prepared to encounter cows, which are used to walkers. Move quietly and confidently across the field. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that might startle the cattle. Always keep your dog close on a lead and under control.

 4

Follow the fence line downhill, keeping to the edge of the field. At the end of the field, look for a kissing gate on the right - this is your exit point from this field into the next. Pass through the gate and continue straight ahead along the path.

After a while, you will enter the Bighton Estate through a wooden gate. From here, simply follow the estate’s footpath signs, which are clearly marked and guide you through a mix of open pasture, woodland edges, and well maintained tracks.

 5

After passing Flint Cottage on your right, continue until you reach a junction on a gravel drive. On your left, you’ll see Beehive Cottage, here take the right-hand path, which leads you through a tree lined drive to the exit of the Bighton Estate.

 6

Exit the Bighton Estate through the black metal pedestrian gate. Continue on the right hand fork into the heart of the village. Continue straight until you arrive once more at the welcoming sight of the Three Horseshoes Pub.