- Date: 21 May 2025
- Walk Leader: Fiona El Hasnaoui
- Distance: 10.5 miles (approx.)
Cheriton – Ovington – Tichborne
On a more overcast day than we have had of late, a group of hearty ramblers met at the Cheriton recreation ground, hoping that the threatened rain did not make too much of an appearance (it didn’t, fortunately!) Setting off behind the tennis courts, we took the footpath up the side of a field at the back and on to the lane leading to Hill Houses. Eventually, after passing a small area of woods, we emerged out on to a lovely open area of meadows where we could really stretch our legs and feel the breeze.
Following the clear path straight down and then back up the valley with extensive views, we reached the South Downs Way and followed its path for some distance between rich hedgerows. Finally, we turned onto a wide gravel path which took us to the A31, where we carefully crossed into Little Hampage Wood and stopped for a coffee break under the canopy of many mature trees.
Suitably refreshed, we continued on the path, snaking past nettles and fallen trees through a gate with pastureland to our left, again with lovely views. Going through a couple of large metal gates, we turned right past a large farmyard and continued on a grassy path, climbing up through Hampage Wood. Passing a logging area and a radio antennae mast, we turned off left at a well hidden signpost and continued on a rather overgrown path for some distance. This later turned into a sunken and stony path running in a strip of woodland which slowed us down as it was not particularly easy to navigate.
Continuing over a lane, we finally emerged at the River Itchen on the Itchen Way. We crossed two bridges over the clear waters, with some fish being spotted. A wild meadow full of yellow flag blooms took us past a herd of grazing cows out on to a lane which led us back over another bridge – we now had water on both sides.
Crossing back over the river, we emerged past the Bush Inn, at Ovington, and walked up to St Peter’s Church for our lunch break.
After our well-earned rest, we followed the ancient wall of Ovington House out of the village and turned up through some trees and past fields of barley, almost blue in colour, as the path gradually rose with good views. We then re-crossed the A31 and began the descent to Tichborne. As you descend the hill, you can see the church of St Andrew up on the hill to your right. Unfortunately, the church was locked, which was a pity as the author had visited on a recce day and found it very interesting – high wooden box pews in the puritan style with Jacobean carving, and a side chapel which is a rare example of a Catholic chapel within a pre-Reformation church.
We continued through pretty Tichborne with its many thatched cottages and followed the road around until we reached Sevington Farm, where we turned right up a lane and crossed a couple of fields until we finally emerged back at Hill Houses, and the path back to the car park.
Author: Fiona El Hasnaoui
Photography: Clare McCullough, Rose Field, David Roberts and Fiona El Hasnaoui