The Three Castles Path: A review

Introduction

We have described our experiences of walking the Three Castles Path in a number of postings (listed below). The route links Windsor and Winchester, via the third castle, Odiham.


Review

The Three Castles Path was "inspired by the well-documented 13th century journeys of King John via the castle he built near Odiham" and the guide to it was first published in 1992. The initial stages are in semi-suburban east Berkshire, where as I noted in one post, "you are never far away from a housing estate".

However, once you get into Hampshire things become much more interesting as you walk along the delightful and little-known Basingstoke Canal, through a whole series of pretty villages with half-timbered thatched cottages and Norman churches. The fields in Hampshire are bigger too and the paths very often have a copse on one side and a field edge on the other, with views over gently rolling hills.

As you approach Winchester you follow the fast-flowing Itchen and then reach that fascinating city with its magnificent cathedral and all sorts of historical sites.

Although the route is perhaps a little contrived, there are several sections of sustained track and overall it feels reasonably like a single path.

The walk book (The Three Castles Path by David Bounds for the East Berkshire Ramblers’ Association Group) is excellent with very clear maps and very precise directions, as well as helpful comments on points of interest along the way - the hallmark of the East Berkshire Ramblers series of walk book books. The only flaws are that there are no suggestions for parking places at the start of each stage and because the maps overlap at the starts and finishes it is sometimes difficult to calculate the distance accurately.

One thing puzzled me. The route of the Three Castles Path is clearly marked on the OS Explorer maps, but is nowhere acknowledged on the ground by named way marks or footpath signs. No doubt there is a story behind this.

The best bits? The Odiham to Tunworth stage had great variety: the canal, Odiham Castle, the pretty village of Greywell, the river Whitewater and the wonderful Five Lanes End junction. Winchester was wonderful and well worth allowing a separate day for.

So, a good easy Long Distance Path which has helped to cement our desire to do more. Next up, the Ridgeway?


Stages

1 Broadmoor to Moulsham Green (Stages 4-5)

2 Moulsham Green to Hazeley Heath (Stage 6)

3 Hazeley Heath to Odiham (Stages 7-8)

4 Odiham to Tunworth (Stages 8-9)

5 Tunworth to Ellisfield (Stage 10)

6 Ellisfield to Upper Wield (stages 11-12)

7 Upper Wield to Abbotstone (Stages 12-13)

8 Abbotstone to the edge of Winchester (Stages 14-15)

9 Winchester (Stage 15)