Enjoy a stretch of the South Downs Way with some fine views on this circuit from the charming village of East Meon
The picturesque village of East Meon is situated about a mile from the source of the River Meon. One of Hampshire’s beautiful chalk streams (as such rivers are known), the 21-mile river initially flows due north to the village curving westwards to run alongside the High Street. From there it continues northwest through West Meon, then southwards to the Solent at Titchfield Haven. East Meon’s most striking building is its 12th century Norman church, All Saints, set above the village with the green down of Park Hill as a backdrop. The spire - which can be seen from the South Downs Way – was added in about 1230. Inside the church is a fine 12th century black marble font. Another building of note is the nearby medieval Court House.
There is good walking in all directions from the village, with links to the nearby South Downs Way, and a choice of two pubs to await you on the return. This scenic circuit initially heads south from the village taking you past the source of the River Meon, then a steady climb leads to the top of the hill where the South Downs Way is joined.
The route continues along the South Downs Way passing the Sustainability Centre, located in what was once an inland naval training base, HMS Mercury. Over half a million personnel served or trained here during its 52 years of existence. Established in 1995, the Centre is a learning and study centre that aims to educate, inspire and enable people to live a more sustainable life. There is a café here, if you’d like some mid-walk refreshment.
The walk
1. (SU677222) Near the car park entrance just before the sports pavilion on the right, go through a gap in the fence on the left (waymark on post) and head across the green to go through another gap midway between the houses. Bear right and curve left, continuing along Duncombe Road to a T-junction. Turn left and soon right into a residents’ parking area. Go through the kissing gate at the far end and continue up the field path to another kissing gate. Keep ahead along the footpath, gently descending in the next field to pass a fingerpost on the left. Continue down the left-hand edge of the field to go through a gap into the wood, and follow the path which bears right uphill to a gate and path junction.
2. (SU677211) Turn left up the field edge to a metal gate, the track continuing beyond. For a shortcut, turn right to climb steeply up the grassy slope near the fence on the left. Cross a stile and continue uphill to a metal gate at the top. Turn left through it and follow the grassy ridge towards the masts. Turn right through the next gate, bearing left round the top of the trees and the valley to another gate and the South Downs Way, turning right to re-join the main route at waypoint 8.
3. (SU678208) Continue through the gate and down the track for a few paces, leaving it to follow the left-hand side of the field ahead. Go through a gap in the hedge bending left and then right, continuing along the left-hand side of the field to the road.
4. (SU684208) Turn right and just past the drive on the left go through a gate and follow the signed footpath across the grass. Go through another gate and continue along the drive through South Farm, curving left across a bridge over the Meon near its source. The concrete track becomes a rough track heading southwards along an avenue of trees to some barns and a gate into a field.
5. (SU689196) Keep ahead along the field edge to another gate, and then follow a grassy track steadily uphill beside the fence and pine trees on the left to a further gate at the top, where the waymarked South Downs Way (SDW) is joined.
6. (SU693190) Turn right along the gravel track to the road. Cross and continue along the lane opposite to a staggered junction. Keep ahead to follow the signed SDW path that runs parallel to the road on the right, initially screened from it by a hedge. Continue past the Sustainability Centre on the left to a signed junction.
7. (SU675191) Continuing on the SDW, turn right along the track heading northwards over Wetherdown past the masts. The route becomes a path over Salt Hill passing a gate on the right (the shortcut from waypoint 3).
8. (SU673201) Keep ahead following the SDW downhill through the trees to a lane at Coombe Cross. For a shortcut, turn right along the lane back to East Meon. Otherwise continue along the SDW on the opposite side to the next signposted intersection.
9. (SU666217) The SDW turns left here down to the lane and along it to Meon Springs (fly fishery and glamping) and its attractive lakes. There’s also a café by the bridge here. Worth a detour if you have the time and energy (1¾ miles there and back). For the main route turn right along the grassy path between fields bearing right along a concrete track to the road. Turn left, following it round to the right, then turn left along Duncombe Road, retracing initial steps back to the start.
COMPASS POINTS
Start/finish: East Meon village car park, Workhouse Lane (SU677222) or nearby village hall car park.
Map: OS Explorer OL3
Distance: 7 miles (11km). Shorter option: 3¾ miles (6km).
Terrain: Field paths, downland paths and tracks – about half the route along the well waymarked South Downs Way.
Time: 3 hours or 1½ hours for shorter option.
Refreshments: Izaak Walton (01730 823252) and Ye Olde George Inn (01730 823481), both in East Meon; Beech Café, Sustainability Centre (01730 823755); Bolly by the Bridge café at Meon Springs (07717 467633)
Public transport: Stagecoach bus service 67 from Winchester to Petersfield via East Meon.
