The village of King’s Somborne can be found a few miles south of Stockbridge, situated on the edge of the Test valley. The Clarendon Way, a 24-mile waymarked route linking the cathedral cities of Salisbury (across the border in Wiltshire) and Winchester, runs through it, crossing the River Test nearby. The way is named after Clarendon Park, once the site of Clarendon Palace, a royal hunting lodge for Norman kings, situated just east of Salisbury. The varied route takes in woodland and downland, running through Farley Mount Country Park between King’s Somborne and Winchester.

The country park’s most notable feature is the Farley Mount monument, a striking white pyramid-shaped structure atop Mount Down, erected on a mound in honour of a horse, which was buried below. As the monument’s plaque records it, in 1733, while out fox hunting, the horse, which belonged to Paulet St John (who served as an MP between 1734 and 1754, and was later created a baronet), leaped into a chalk pit twenty-five feet deep with his master on his back. Both apparently unharmed, the next year the horse, entered in the name of ‘Beware Chalk Pit’, won the Hunters Plate race on Worthy Downs. There are far-reaching views to be enjoyed from up here with benches on which to relax - on a clear day the Isle of Wight can be seen.

This walk takes you up to the monument along a quiet lane, then through woodland, joining the Clarendon Way at the top for the final section. The waymarked route is also used for the descent. On the outward leg, there’s the option of a short out-and-back detour to visit the lovely little 12th century church at Farley Chamberlayne, St John’s. The manorial lands of Farley were given to Herbert Fitz-Remi, Chamberlain to William the Conqueror, hence the name of the village. Sir Paulet St John (referred to above), who died in 1780, and his third wife, Jane, are buried in the sanctuary.

The walk starts from the war memorial in King’s Somborne, erected to commemorate the men of the village killed in the First World War. Built of Portland stone, it was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and unveiled in 1921. Lutyens, described as the leading English architect of his generation, also designed the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London, the focus for the Remembrance Sunday commemorations this month, as well as other war memorials, including in nearby Stockbridge. The names of those who lost their lives in both world wars are inscribed on it.

THE WALK

1. (SU360310) From the war memorial, situated on a small green, the Crown Inn on the opposite side of the main road, face the church and head along Church Road to the left of it. Keep ahead past a left turn, then a right, where the road becomes Furzedown Road. Keep straight on where a road forks right, but at the next fork bear left along a no-through road signed to Hoplands. Follow this for ⅓ mile to a byway fingerpost on the right.

The byway between point 2 through Parnholt Wood The byway between point 2 through Parnholt Wood (Image: Fiona Barltrop) 2. (SU368301) Fork right here and follow the track/byway south then east through Parnholt Wood to a four-way junction (signpost). Shortly before this the route becomes a restricted byway (no vehicles). For an out-and-back detour to visit the church at Farley Chamberlayne, keep ahead at the junction and follow the track that leads to Farley Farm, passing a turning on the right (to a grass air strip) on the way. Continue past the farm buildings and along the lane, soon reaching a turning on the left for the church, which is situated in a lovely, peaceful spot. Inside note the fine modern font which commemorates the Millennium and was dedicated by the Bishop of Winchester in 2000. Retrace your steps after visiting the church.

The trig point atop Farley Mount at point 3 The trig point atop Farley Mount at point 3 (Image: Fiona Barltrop) 3. (SU391284) At the four-way junction turn right - or left if you didn’t visit the church - along the wood-lined track to a junction with the Clarendon Way.

4. (SU398290) Turn right and soon, at a fork in the path, take the left one (by the fence on the left) for better views, rejoining the other path just before the turn on the right (SU403292) to the nearby Farley Mount monument. There is also a trig point here.

5. (SU403290) Return to the main path turning left and almost immediately fork right along the path keeping near the fence on the right to return to waypoint 4, where the restricted byway turns left. Keep ahead along the signed Clarendon Way, descending the downland to reach a lane. Just before it, turn left, still following the Clarendon Way.

Along the lane past Hoplands, near point 6Along the lane past Hoplands, near point 6 (Image: Fiona Barltrop) 6. (SU378298) After passing a bridleway turn on the left keep ahead when the Clarendon Way bears right. This leads to Hoplands where you continue along the road past Pepperwood Park equestrian centre rejoining the outward route back to the start. (Alternatively, stay on the Clarendon Way which goes through a copse, past gallops/paddocks and down the edge of fields to the road. Turn left to the village.)

Farley Chamberlayne church can be seen at point 6Farley Chamberlayne church can be seen at point 6 (Image: Fiona Barltrop) COMPASS POINTS

Start/finish: War memorial/church, King’s Somborne (SU360310) – considerate roadside parking alongside church or elsewhere, eg Old Vicarage Lane

Map: OS Explorers 131 & OL32

Distance: 7½ miles/12km (Optional out-and-back detour to Farley Chamberlayne church 1½ miles/2.5km.)

Terrain: Country lanes, clear tracks and paths through woodland and over open downland, including stretch of waymarked Clarendon Way. Steady climb up to Farley Mount and thereafter back downhill.

Time: 3½ hours (+ ½ hour for detour)

Refreshments: The Crown Inn, King’s Somborne (01794 388360), thecrownks.co.uk

Public transport Bus service 16 from Winchester to Stockbridge via King’s Somborne, Stagecoach South