Old Alresford: Three Horseshoes Pub Loop

The walk starts in the village of Old Alresford, which has historic character and is set by water-meadows and the River Itchen. Its roots stretch back centuries, with both the village and its church recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.

You’ll pass through gently rolling Hampshire countryside, open farmland, woodland edges. As you approach Bighton you’ll walk on the Oxdrove Way that allow you to soak up the rural atmosphere far from main roads.

The Three Horseshoes Pub in Bighton is a superb lunch destination on this loop. It’s a charming country pub, grade-II listed, with cosy interiors, a welcoming vibe, and a great menu with a relaxed but high-quality style. Walking into the pub after a solid morning of countryside walking feels well-earned: you’ll be able to settle in, enjoy a good meal and maybe a local ale, recharge and then continue the rest of the loop. 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 if you use the pub as your starting point.

Terrain: You’ll be on a mix of quiet lanes, field-edges, tracks and woodland paths. Some of the footpaths may be narrower, and in wetter conditions might be muddy, so decent footwear is a must.

Start/Finish: Village Green, The Green, Old Alresford, Alresford SO24 9DH; Grid: SU 58676 34002; https://w3w.co/fund.seashell.earphones

(Address, OS Grid, what3words)

 1

From the parking spaces in front of the village hall, follow the lane past the playground on your left. Take care crossing the B3046—there’s a footpath slightly to the left on the opposite side.

Follow this path and turn right when you reach the fence.

 2

At the end of the fence, turn left onto Colden Lane, just before reaching St Mary the Virgin Church.

The current brick-and-flint church was built in the 18th century, replacing earlier structures on the site. It holds a special place in history as the founding location of the Mothers’ Union—an international Christian charity supporting families and communities around the world.

If time allows, it’s well worth a brief stop to step inside and take in the quiet beauty of this historic place.

 3

You’re now on the Oxdrove Way—continue straight for a while. When the lane bends to the right, the trail itself continues ahead, next to a metal gate, onto a bridleway.

This historic route forms a 25-mile loop through Preston Down, Bradley, Upper Wield, Old Alresford, Itchen Down, and Abbotstone. Once used as a drovers’ path, it helped farmers move cattle across Hampshire, linking rural communities to market towns via a wider network of ancient drove roads.

The path alternates between paved lanes, grassy stretches, and gravel tracks—offering a varied and peaceful walking experience.

 4

When the Oxdrove Way meets Nettlebed Lane near Nettlebed Cottage, turn right onto the lane. As you follow the lane into Bighton, you’ll be rewarded with lovely views of the surrounding countryside.

If you’re in the mood for a longer walk, you can continue straight along the Oxdrove Way and pick up from step 2 of the route description for  Bighton: The Three Horseshoes | Walk Alton on the Walk Alton website. This adds an additional 3.3 miles and 170 feet ascent to your walk.

 5

Just before the end of Nettlebed Lane (before it spills onto Bighton Road), look out for a footpath on the left, tucked behind metal rails. Take this path to avoid walking along the busy road.

Turn right when the path allows, then take the next available left, heading towards the distinctive red village wall building. From there, rejoin Bighton Road and turn left— this leads you directly to the Three Horseshoes Pub.

 6

After your well-deserved rest at the pub, turn right and retrace your steps along Bighton Road for a couple of minutes until you reach the intersection.

Continue straight ahead along the lane, keeping to the left of the building—just follow the road sign pointing towards Manor Farm.

At the end of the lane, you’ll find a stile on the left. Cross here and continue on the right along the gravel path to begin the final leg of your journey.

 7

After 0.3 mile, look out for a double metal gate on your right. Go through the gates and take the grassy path that continues on the left, over another stile.

This path can be easy to miss—keep an eye out for a yellow footpath way marker to guide you.

 8

Cross the field straight ahead, and you’ll reach another stile at the far end. After crossing it, continue over the gravel track and follow the path along the right-hand side, next to the hedgerow.

This stretch can be a little overgrown with grass and nettles in late summer, so take care and consider long trousers if walking during that season.

 9

When the path merges with Bighton Road, continue straight ahead. At the junction with the B3046, a footpath continues directly across the road—take care when crossing.

At the next T-junction, turn right and then keep straight ahead at the at a triangular intersection. Follow the sidewalk, which continues alongside the B3046.

When you reach St Mary the Virgin Church, cross back over and follow the footpath on the right to retrace your steps to the village hall and your parked car.