Chawton Wood Loop

The loop is a scenic and varied route that weaves through peaceful forest paths, open playing fields, and quiet rural lanes. It’s ideal for walkers seeking a balance of shade and open views, with the added bonus of spotting deer along the way.

It is ideal for walkers of moderate ability who are comfortable with a 2 hour hike over woodland and field terrain. There is one longer uphill section halfway through the walk.

Terrain: Mostly well-defined woodland tracks and forestry tracks: gravelled or compacted paths in places.

Start/Finish: Jubilee Playing Fields Car Park (near Alton Sports Centre), Chawton Park Road, GU34 1GW; Grid: SU 70452 38058; https://w3w.co/fingertip.sand.apron

(Address, OS Grid, what3words)

Alternative Start/Finish: Chawton Wood Car Park, 55 Boyneswood Road, Medstead GU34 5ED; Grid: SU 67250 36087 ; https://w3w.co/edit.sofas.judge; From the car park, take the forest path that begins at its far end and follow it straight ahead. Then pick up the route from Step 4. Once you reach the final Step 6, loop back to Step 2 to complete your walk.

 1

From the Jubilee Playing car park, take the pedestrian path past the skate park on your right. Continue along the playing fields, following the main pedestrian path until you reach the edge of the fields.

Follow the path left towards the cricket club. Exit onto the road, turn right on the verge and carefully cross the road—watch out for the blind bend just ahead.

 2

At the apex of the sharp bend, take the tarmac lane leading off to the left. Ignore the forest footpath (Writers Way) for now—you’ll return through it later in the walk.

As you follow the track, it shifts from tarmac to a forest path. Here, keep an eye through the trees on your right—if you're lucky, you might spot the deer herd that belongs to a nearby farm.

The path leads straight through the gate into Charlton woods, where to turns back into a wide gravel path. Continue along this track through the woods, staying on the main avenue

 3

At the large junction of three wide gravel tracks, take the left-hand path that climbs uphill.

After roughly 330 yards (300 metres), turn left onto a wide grassy track. When you reach a T-junction, take the forest path to your left. 

(If you started the walk at Chawton Woods car park, simply stay on the gravel track, do not take the left hand turn, until the trees open up on your left—you’ll spot the car park in the distance.)

 4

After a short while, you’ll notice a parallel gravel path on your right—this is the Writers’ Way, it is slightly wider than the one you’re on. Feel free to take either path; both lead to the houses near Tongham Motor Club.

 5

Follow the main gravel road through the buildings near the motor club, keeping to the left. After passing the entrance to the motor race track on your right, continue straight onto the forest path.

After a while, when the forest path forks, stay left.

 6

When you emerge from the woods and reach the road, take care—cars may approach quickly around the bend. Cross safely, then retrace your steps past the cricket club and across the playing fields to return to the car park.

(If you started at Chawton Woods car park, take a few careful steps to your left and turn onto the gravel track in Step 2.)