Alton to East Worldham Loop

1

The Walk starts in Alton Market Square, next to the Town Hall. There is a car park adjacent, all buses stop in the High Steet about 100 yards away, and Alton Railway Station is 0.6 miles to the north-east. Take the path south-east from the entrance to to Town Hall, which crosses a car park and passes down a narrow ally to the High Street.  Take Turk Street opposite and cross Drayman’s way, and continue along Turk Street, with Sainsbury’s on your right. Turn right into Malting close.

 2

Pass through the narrow footpath at the end of Maltings close to reach Mount Pleasant Road. Turn left, pass over the railway bridge and turn right on footpath.  Follow the path across Goodwood Close to reach Kempton Close. Turn left and at the T-junction turn right onto The Ridgeway.

 3

Turn immediately left into Lingfield Close, and where the road splits into two routes, take the path ahead between the houses. After about 200 yards take the path on the right, passing through woods for about 0.3 Miles until reaching the open parkland of Windmill Hill.

 4

Walk around Windmill Hill to the right, keeping at approximately the same height, and exit along the footpath which passes through a gap in the hedge on the south-east side. You will pass immediately thought a metal gate, and then descent across a field to a metal kissing-gate, and across a further field with hedge on the left, to reach a style and steps descending to the A31 dual carriageway.

 5

Cross the A31, taking extreme care, and ascend the staircase opposite passing through metal kissing-gate. After about 100yds, fork right, and continue until you reach a narrow lane. Keep straight ahead, crossing the stream on a grass-covered bridge, and passing through the gap in the fence and following the path diagonally across the field.

 6

Pass into the next field and continue with stream on your right, eventually crossing over the stream on 3 wooden planks. Then continue keeping the hedge to your left, passing Wild Duck Copse on your right.

 7

The path passes through a wide gateway and continues diagonally across the large field, slowing rising to reach a narrow gate close to the B006 Selborne Road. Continue diagonally across the next field, heading first towards the trees on the horizon, and then towards the gap in the hedge that leads to a lane.

 8

Take the path opposite, with the hedge on your left, then across open country and then with the hedge on your right heading towards a row of houses in the distance. Just before the houses the path turns sharply left (ignore the access to the lane in front of you). In the corner you will descend onto a lane, turn right.

 9

You are now in West Worldham. On your left is the South Down Coffee Roastery, which has a Bistro open on Saturday mornings serving coffee and pastries. Pass by St Nicholas Church, and at take the lane on the right towards Oakhanger.

 10

After about 100 yards the as the lane turns to the right, take the path on the left crossing the metal style. Follow path across a field, through a metal gate and then across another field to reach a bridge across a stream with a style over a wire-fence.

 11

Follow the path, with good views to the left, crossing over a further stream on two wide planks to reach track with fenced paddock on the right and hedge on the left. Follow the track, keeping the fence on your right and heading towards ther farm buildings until you reach a lane. Turn right and after about 100 yards reach Blanket Steet, Turn left and proceed to East Worldham. 

 12

You will reach the B3004, Caker’s Lane. The walker-friendly Three Horseshoes pub is on your left, and there is a bus stop on your right where the hourly Number 13 Service will take you back to Alton if you want to shorten your Walk. For those continuing the walk, cross the main road carefully and take Shelley’s Lane opposite.

 13

After about 100 yards, take the track on the right which passes between various industrial and farm buildings and emerges onto a large field. Take the path straight ahead (ignoring the path on the left), and continue until you reach another path passing at right angles by a wooden post. This is the Hangers Way. Turn left and head towards the wood in the distance.

 14

Follow the path through the woods, crossing a stream on a wooden bridge, and arriving at Clay’s Lane (again!), Turn right, then after about 30 yards take the path on the left through a metal kissing-gate. Continue straight ahead along the track, which passes through the centre of a small wood

 15

As the path emerges from the woods, take the path on the right (turning off the Hangers Way), passing under pylons, and heading towards the righthand side of Monk Wood. Follow the path with the wood on your left until you reach a farm tack. Turn left and follow this track for 0.7 miles until you reach Manor Farm.

 16

The path weaves between the buildings of Manor Farm and passes through a wooden gate to reach Lower Neatham Mill Lane. Turn left, pass Neatham Mill on your left, and pass through the underpass below the A31. Continue straight ahead up Lower Neatham Mill Lane, passing under the railway bridge until you reach London road. You are now in Holybourne. 

 17

Cross London Road and turn left. After about 50 yards, take the path on your right at the side of The Old Chapel. The path passes through a metal gate and two wooden gates and then passes directly alongside the righthand side of a house. Continue with the hedge on you left, until you reach a gap in the hedge. Follow the narrow path on the left until you reach Church Lane.

 18

Go straight ahead along Howard’s Lane, passing Holy Rood Church on on your left. Follow the lane around a sharp lefthand bend and take the path on the right. This is the St Swithan’s Way. Follow the path through the grounds of Treloar College until you emerge onto the playing fields. 

 19

Head towards the diagonal corner of the first playing field to pass through a gap in the hedge into a larger playing field, then head towards the car park in the distance. Turn left through the car park and then take the path on the right towards a gap in the hedge adjacent to some pull-up bars. Cross Anstey Lane and take the narrow path ahead until it emerges into Chalcrafts. Go straight ahead until you reach Lansdown Road, then continue on the narrow path, crossing Park Close Road to reach Nursery Road. Turn left then right into Victoria Road. Walk the full length of this road, eventually bending left into St Lawrence Road. Turn left into Chautsinger’s Road until you reach Church Steet. Turn left, then immediately right down Vicarage Hill. Pass Alton Library and follow the path across the car park to reach Market Street. Turn right to reach the Market Square after 100 yards.