Walks around Cheriton feature in most rambling club programmes and this six mile stroll will show you why.
Just west of the crossroads at New Cheriton on the A272 are two laybys. Park at the one on the westbound side at Harnham Hill. Take a narrow lane off it downhill into the valley of the River Itchen. On reaching the Kilmeston Road at the bottom (0.28 miles) go straight on. Where the road goes left go straight on along a byway called Mucky Lane (0.32). After 30 metres take a footpath on the left doubling back to one of the most recognisable and most visited springs that form the source of the Itchen (0.45).
Pass to the right of the spring and continue in the tree belt. Ignore a path on the right into the Hinton Ampner Estate. On reaching Kilmeston Lane again go right along it to New Cheriton (0.56) – this is now the Itchen Way.
At the A272 go right along it (0.76) and cross over. Go left through a kissing gate opposite the Hinton Arms (0.85). Keep to the field boundary on the left. Cross a stream (0.91). Just before the left corner of the field go left through a metal gate on an enclosed path. On reaching the B3046 (1.02) go right and up a rough vehicular track which narrows after the last house. At a crossroads of tracks (1.16) go straight on uphill. At another cross roads of tracks (1.38) go left along an enclosed footpath. The path goes right and then left (1.55) after which keep to the hedge on the left. The path then becomes enclosed between hedges and descends to emerge in old Cheriton (1.84).
(Image: Richard Kenchington) Go right along School Lane then left over a bridge over the River Itchen and left again. In 40 metres go right down an enclosed path (1.90). Continue across the village green, across the B3046 and up a path to St Michael and All Angels church (1.99). This route goes right immediately after passing through the entrance gates following the boundary wall. Leave the churchyard through a kissing gate and continue ahead to another and out onto Hill Houses Lane (2.06) and go left along it.
At the first field on the right enter it via a stile (2.13) and follow the hedge on the right. Three more stiles follow (2.34) and then in a longer field there is the River Itchen on the right. At the next boundary there is a double set of pedestrian gates to close (2.52). Keep on along the lower side of the field and exit via a kissing gate (2.70) onto a path between buildings. The former Cheriton Mill is on the right.
At a T-junction with a road (2.78), go right along it over the River Itchen to reach the B3046 again (2.86). Here the route leaves the Itchen Way. Cross over and continue straight on climbing up a Byway called Prite Lane. At the top at a T-junction with Hinton Lane (3.21) go right downhill.
(Image: Richard Kenchington) At the bottom (3.41) fork left onto Broad Lane. Cross over Badshear Lane (3.82). Cross over another track and continue up the ridge ahead. Just before the top cross over another track (4.29) and go under a height restriction barrier. After topping the ridge Broad Lane descends to cross Cheriton Lane (4.47) and go under a height restriction barrier.
Pass Raimes Vineyard and Primrose Cottages and at the bottom is a display board about the Battle of Cheriton (4.66). Next to it is a stream that only flows in winter and comes from a large spring in the field to the left. Continue to the A272 (4.73) and cross over and climb up Hinton Hill.
Where the road goes left (4.95) go straight on through ornamental gates. This route goes left opposite All Saints Church through a gate and then right to follow the edge of the parkland to the right. At the bottom go through a gate onto a byway (5.24).
(Image: Richard Kenchington) Hinton Ampner House can be seen up the hill on the right as the byway is followed along a valley to the Kilmeston Road and the outward route (5.71). Continue straight on up the hill ahead to where you started.
A map of the route can be found at explore.osmaps.com/route/26587428
Written for the Daily Echo by Richard Kenchington of the Ramblers’ Association.
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