Alresford Walks
This attractive Hampshire based town has some lovely walks along the two rivers which flow through the area. There's also some lovely Hampshire countryside and woodland to explore around the town.
This route from the town makes use of the Wayfarer's Walk and the Kings Way to create a circular walk around the town.
The walk starts just to the east of the train station where you can pick up the Wayfarer's Walk and follow the waymarked path south to Tichborne Down. You continue south east past the Alresford golf course to the River Itchen, just north of Cheriton. Here you can see the noteworthy 13th century church, some picturesque thatched cottages and the site of the Battle of Cheriton which took place as part of the English Civil War in 1544. You could also take a detour here and head south to visit the splendid Hinton Ampner where you'll find the source of the Itchen and some attractive parkland.
This walk heads north west to the villages of Tichborne and Ovington where you cross the river to reach Itchen Stoke. From here you head north along a country lane towards Folly Hill where you can pick up the Oxdrove Way and the Wayfarer's Walk. Follow the trails south east to the northern tip of Alresford where you can pick up riverside paths along the River Alre. These will take you east and then south to return to the town centre and train station area.
Alresford Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Alresford Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Alresford OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Alresford Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Alresford
- Hinton Ampner - Explore the beautiful gardens surrounding this stately home near New Alresford in Hampshire
- Wayfarer's Walk - Starting at the town of Emsworth on Chichester Harbour, follow this fabulous 70 mile walk through the heart of Hampshire and on into Berkshire.
You will pass through the pretty Hampshire towns and villages of Cheriton, Droxford, Hambledon and New Arlesford while also experiencing the beautiful landscape and wildlife in this special county.
The path is easy to follow as it is waymarked by metal and plastic disks attached to wooden and metal posts.
Highlights on the route in include the National Trust owned Hinton Ampner stately home with its wonderful gardens and Watership Down - the delightful setting for Richard Adams' 1972 novel - Oxdrove Way - The Oxdrove Way is an off road cycle trail and walking path which forms a figure of eight through the rolling downland, woods and farmland of the Hampshire countryside around New Arlesford
- Itchen Abbas - This pretty little Hampshire based village is located in a lovely spot on the River Itchen near to Winchester
- Itchen Way - Follow the River Itchen from its mouth at Woolston to its source near Hinton Ampner on this beautiful waterside walk
- Cheriton - This pretty Hampshire based village is home to a lovely National trust property, a 13th century church, prettty thatched cottages and some fine country views
- St James' Way - This long distance pilgrimage walk takes you from Reading Abbey to the port of Southampton
Pubs/Cafes
The noteworthy Globe is a good choice for some post walk refreshments. The historic pub dates from the 15th century and includes a garden and terrace on the banks of a small lake. It's a lovely place to relax with a drink on warmer days. You can find the pub at The Soke with a postcode of SO24 9DB for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The country and woodland trails on the route make for a fine walk with your dog. The Globe mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To extend your walking in the area you could pick up the waymarked Itchen Way and follow it west to visit the neighbouring village of Itchen Abbas. It's a very picturesque riverside village with the option of visiting the nearby Avington Park on the southern side of the water. There's a lovely lake, peaceful woodland and a herd of Highland Cattle to see here. The village is also notable for providing the inspiration for the setting of Charles Kinglsey's novel The Water Babies. The author was a regular visitor to the area. The Itchen Way is coincident with the St James' Way, a pilgrimage route which will take you to Southampton or Reading Abbey.
If you continue west and then south along the path you will soon come to Winchester where you could try the Winchester Circular Walk and the Winchester River Walk. Here you can visit the lovely riverside Winnal Moors Nature Reserve where there are excellent wildlife watching opportunities. You can also climb to St Catherine's Hill for some fine views over the surrounding area.
For more walking ideas in the area see the South Downs Walks and the Hampshire Walks pages.
Photos
New Alresford. The heart of this small Hampshire town, where Broad Street meets East Street and West Street, on a gloriously sunny bank holiday Sunday.
Tichborne Down, east of New Alresford. The fields of Tichborne Down lie just to the east of New Alresford. Here we're looking north west. Behind the trees is Sun Lane which runs more or less along the grid boundary.
Wayfarer's Walk descends towards Alresford Golf Course
Wayfarer's Walk approaching Cheriton Mill. There are bee hives on the land to right of the water, and honey for sale from the house at left.
King's Way near Tichborne
River Itchen near the Bush Inn, Ovington. A popular walk to spot the trout and swans!
The Itchen Valley A view across the Itchen Valley from the Itchen Way above Ovington. In the distance on the left is Manor Farm Itchen Stoke SU5632. Peeping between the tall trees on the right is the tower of Old Alresford church SU5833.
Alresford Fulling Mill. This 13th Century mill is over the river Arle. It was used for fulling - a process for tightening and shrinking cloth to get a closely woven material. It is now a private house.