We are the Winchester Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Linda F.
Starting on Spain Lane, we walk through Preston Oak Hills and take a permissive path through High Wood to Ellisfield. After stopping in Bedlam Plantation for a coffee break we continue to Farleigh Wallop past ripening barley fields edged with Lacy Phacelia. From there we take a wooded track towards Cliddesden with views across Basingstoke and beyond. A dismantled railway track then leads us to more woodland, where we will stop for a picnic lunch and cross open fields before returning to the start via Herriard Common. The route includes walking on some quiet country lanes. There is one stile and a short steepish incline and a short steepish descent.
There is plenty of woodland on this walk to provide shade if the weather is hot.
Please bring a picnic lunch, snacks and drinks as required, together with enough water and sun protection dependent on the weather.
Poles could be useful if you find them helpful on the hills.
Please let the leader know you are coming as we may set off early if all known walkers have arrived.
From Preston Candover, turn right towards Bradley, then continue across the crossroads and turn right at the white signpost towards Burkham. This is Spain Lane (no sign). After 0.2 miles park on the patch of bare ground under the trees, by the footpath to Herriard Common (see photo).
