Ashmansworth and Crux Easton

The War Memorial

Today's walk is a new departure in that I found it fully-formed on the OS Map I was looking at - the first walk based on reading a map than following a book or following signposts of a Long Distance walk. We parked near the War Memorial and headed north east along the road to reach the Wayfarer's Walk after half a mile or so.

We turned right onto the track, avoiding a couple of people on small motorbikes. All quite legal apparently - only three or more wheelers are banned.

 

 

After a very short while we began to have clear, but reasonably distant, views of Highclere Castle. Close ups of the Castle can be found here.

 

We crossed the A343 and soon passed Grotto Lodge (seemingly named for the woods on the right of the track, Grotto Wood). The rather pretty lodge is one of the entrances to Highclere Castle.

 

We emerged from the wood into lovely open country with lovely open views to both the east and the west.

 

 

 It was striking that not a house could be seen in either direction.

 

After about 2.5 miles we turned right, leaving the Wayfarer's Walk, and before long turned right again to head towards the village of Crux Easton. We walked across fields, skirted a wood and crossed a minor road. Two further fields brought us to the edge of Crux Easton. It is a scattered settlement with some large houses, including a manor house. Sadly, we had a deadline to meet and so we couldn't really explore, but we did stop to photograph this interesting structure.

 

It is the Crux Easton Wind Engine. A helpful sign explained that it is a "John Wallis Titt 'Simplex' self-regulating geared wind engine" and dates from 1891-92.

We headed downhill through the village and crossed the A343 to descend to a wood and then climb steadily through it and across a field to reach the road leading back to the War Memorial. It felt a bit harsh to finish with a steep climb! But then Ashmansworth has the distinction of being highest village in Hampshire.

Conditions: bright and sunny.

Map: Explorer 144 (Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch).

Distance: about 5 miles.

Rating: four stars.

Whitchurch, Laverstoke & Freefolk

Whitchurch Silk Mill

An exploration of Whitchurch and the river Test with my friend Merv. We started from the railway station and walked downhill to find the town centre. A little further along was the Silk Mill, the only one of the remaining mills which is still functioning. It was founded in 1800.

With the mill behind us there was a nice view of the mill pool and the River Test passing under a shallow bridge.

This was the view looking from the bridge. A good number of trout, some quite large, could be seen in the clear water.

We partially retrace our steps and walked past the town school to find a path following the line of the river to the east. We passed a former mill with with an imposing water wheel ...

... and followed open land, with the river to our left, to reach the village of Laverstoke. We were very struck by this group of houses and then had an amusing moment with some secondary school boys who were completely astonished by the idea of my taking a photograph of the houses. They simply couldn't comprehend why anybody would do such a thing.

At the end of this road (Laverstoke Lane) we turned left into London Road and passed the former Laverstoke Paper Mill. It turns out that the houses were built in the early 20th century for the mill workers. The quality of construction and spaciousness, which were what caught our eye, reflected the philanthropic ideas of the land owners, the Portal family.

We headed across fields towards the intriguingly named Freefolk. Its name is thought to indicated a free settlement outside the feudal system. St Nicholas church was founded in 1265, but it now has an 18th century look.

A path across further fields brought us to the handsomely restored and extended Bere Mill, dating from the 18th century. 25 years ago it was apparently close to dereliction. There was a nice view from the road bridge.

We continued along the road and turned left to pass the mill again over to our left. We noticed this intriguing sculpture on the way past.

We followed a path with the river on our left and as we returned to Whitchurch we spotted another mill, now converted into a house.

We found a narrow and steep path to take us towards main road and the station and were surprised to spot this red brick pill box overlooking the road. There are still a surprising number of these along the Kennet, but they are all concrete.

Conditions: a pleasant sunny day.

Distance: about six miles.

Map: Explorer 144 (Basingstoke, Alton & Whitchurch) and the Whitchurch Walks website. I would have to say that the walk leaflet, although interesting and very nicely presented, was not easy to follow, as the diagram was very small.

Rating: four stars.

Ecchinswell

The Old School House

We first did this walk in 2005 (before I began blogging) and did so again in 2007 when my blog was only embryonic. The walk starts at the Community Centre from where you cross the road past the Old School House (the picture above dates from 2007 - the bushes have grown to the point where the house is almost invisible from the road.

We passed the old mill and followed a track which emerged into a massive field.

We crossed another field and a road to walk along this delightful green track, with lots of butterflies leaping into flight as we passed by.

Further on there was a great view of Watership Down which is due south of Ecchinswell.

We passed Nuthanger Farm and a grand, new-looking Georgian style house with fine views over the surrounding country. I couldn't get a picture of it, but this light plane will have to do.

We` headed downhill in the direction of Ecchinswell and admired a new farm, not on the map, ...

... the wind in the barley (?) created some lovely patterns.

Passing this farm we turned left into the Symonton estate, passing Watership Farm and turning right to climb up to the strangely-named Laundry Cottages.

Passing the cottages we continued north, catrching a distant glimpse of my Georgian style house on top of its hill.

We followed this track across a road and past a couple of house to emerge into another massive field, this time of broad beans. The edge of the nearby wood was absolutely swarming with Green-veined White butterflies. I have never seen so many.

We made a right angle turn and this time the hedgerow had plenty of Gatekeeper butterflies (my first of the year). I was also intrigued by these beautiful berries. We have identified the plant as a Guelder Rose - the berries will become bright red in the autumn. Apparently, the presence of this rose is an indicator of an ancient woodland.

We crossed a road and admired this pretty cottage ...

... then walking through fields to reach Ecchinswell.

Conditions: bright and warm.

From: Rambling for Pleasure: Kennet Valley and Watership Down.

Maps: Explorer 158 (Newbury and Hungerford) and 144 (Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch).

Distance: 5 miles.

Rating: four stars.A varied and enjoyable walk, quite near to home.

Ashmansworth and Faccombe

The village green

We set off from the village green in Ashmansworth, admiring the pretty thatched cottage (Mere Cottage) which faces the green and especially the wonderful topiary.

We walked down the road towards Faccombe and turned off into a track between fields. A lovely open vista lay before us.

After passing through a small wood we followed  field edge path, admiring the wide set-aside with loads of Oxeye daisies and butterflies. Hats off to the farmer!

Continuing towards Faccombe we found two isolated buildings, described as barns, but clearly renovated or rebuilt. There was no sign of life.

Entering Faccombe we were drawn to the pretty village pond. I was delighted to see a baby cootbriefly emerge from the vegetation at the edge of the pond. The village pub lies beyond.

We passed the the 18th century Faccombe Manor ...

... and the church of St Barnabas (1865-66).

Leaving the village, we followed a path downhill which then led gradually up Pilot Hill, the highest point in Hampshire at 286m.

On the way up we were pleased to see these pale pink orchids.

We crossed a large field and joined the Wayfarer's Way mainly through light woodland to return to Ashmansworth, passing these attractive cottages on the way back to the start.

Conditions: hot and sunny.

From: Walking in the North Wessex Downs (Cicerone).

Map: Explorer 131 (Romsey, Andover & Test Valley).

Distance: 6 miles.

Rating: four stars.

Crookham and the River Enborne

We started this walk at the Travellers' Friend pub in Crookham and headed south past some houses to suddenly emerge into farmland. A little further on, a meadow on the right was covered in Oxeye daisies. We immediately saw our first Marbled Whites of the year, a few Skippers and legions of Meadow Browns.

We passed through a bit of woodland to soon reach the River Enborne, here a narrow, shallow and winding stream. The river rises between West Woodhay and Inkpen, to the west of Newbury and meanders eastwards to join the Kennet near Aldermaston.

We followed the line of the river and enjoyed spotting this damselfly, which seems to be a Beautiful Demoiselle. We were a bit surprised that the fields here seemed to be hardly cultivated.

We reached a road and turned left towards Folly Farm which we skirted, spotting this toad on the path as we passed by.

We crossed a road and walked through a series of fields, passing this substantial cattle trough - rather like our own bath we thought.

We headed then through woodland climbing towards the top of Huntsmoor Hill. Just as we approached the top we passed this curious construction. We could come up with no plausible idea of what it could be.

At the top is Hill House, an intriguing construction, which seemed to us to be reminiscent of a Mexican hacienda.

Now down a narrow lane to reach the hamlet of Goose Hill and along a path, identified as Park Lane, through woods and then across fields - we were disappointed that the next path wasn't called Mayfair - to reach the Brimpton to Crookham road.

Conditions: warm and sunny.

From: Rambling for pleasure. Kennet Valley and Watership Down.

Map: Explorer 158 (Newbury & Hungerford)

Distance: 6.25 miles

Rating: four stars, mainly for the first half.

St Mary Bourne

One of the thatched cottages in the village (complete with dovecote and doves)

A nice circular walk from the pretty village of St Mary Bourne. The first stage follows the Test Way, which we did in 2017-18. Happily, however, we will be doing the Test Way section in the reverse direction.

We start by the village shop and turn left into the main street and are immediately confronted by a set of Almshouses, named for Robert Holdway and opened in 1862 (and modernised in 1982).

We headed along the main street and turned left then right to join the Test Way heading north west along a series of field edge paths. There was a nice view to the north east after a while.

The fields were all arable, with the exception of this lovely field of buttercups and a lone horse.

We turned left through woodland to then cross some very large fields belonging to the Trinley Estate (the largest was 250 acres).

Three further paths brought us back to the Test Way on the south east side of St Mary Bourne and we descended to reach the edge of the village and cross the narrow Bourne Rivulet.

The Rivulet follows the line of the road from Hurstboure Tarrant to St Mary Bourne and is everywhere narrow but fast flowing. At St Mary Bourne it flows into a quite large lake. (Looking at my previous blog of Hurstbourne Tarrant to Longparish) I photographed the lake but didn't realise its connection with the stream.)

Soon after this we reached the High St passing the 12th century church of St Peter. We weren't of course able to see its 12th century font.

We did admire some extravagant tombstones in the churchyard on our way back to the start of the walk.

Conditions: warm and sunny.

From: Walking in the North Wessex Downs (Cicerone)

Map: Explorer 131 (Romsey, Andover & Test Valley)

Distance: 4.75 miles.

Rating: 3 stars.