- Date: 23 April 2025
- Walk Leader: Sandy Arpino
- Distance: 14 miles
Petersfield Ramblers weather the challenges of walking Mary’s Crescent from Droxford to Buriton
Having completed a most enjoyable day of walking from Portchester Castle to Droxford on Mary’s Crescent in mid-April, a week later Petersfield Ramblers rendezvoused at Buriton Pond for part two of the Downland exploration of Medieval churches dedicated to St Mary. Alas, after heavy overnight rain, the forecast for the day remained damp and overcast. Undaunted, thirteen intrepid walkers were up for the 14 mile challenge. Everyone donned rain gear before setting off in four cars for Droxford, the start of the day’s walk. The car journey involved dynamic navigation around two blocked roads and heavy showers; it was not the best start to our hike. Finally at 09:40 – in light rain – we set off.
Our route led us along the north side of Droxford church (explored the week before), past the Mill House and its water race, under a bridge and back onto the Meon Valley Trail – a disused railway track. Unlike the previous week, there were no colourful flowers lining our path, just damp flattened greenery. Our band of walkers looked equally lacklustre in the rain.
After almost 2 miles of easy walking on the Trail, we met the point where the South Downs Way crossed our path. Here we left the Trail, joining the SDW to head due east To Old Winchester Hill. Although our ascent commenced almost immediately, spirits lifted as the rain ceased and skies lightened. Open views across fields spread north and south as the climb became steeper.
A stunning patch of cowslips caught our eyes, protected by orange fencing; unexpected was the electric shock that the fencing delivered!
After 4 miles of walking we reached the trig point on breezy Old Winchester Hill at 650 feet, surrounded by the impressive earthworks of an ancient hilltop fort. Here we rested with coffee from our rucksacks and the most delicious homemade brownies supplied by a generous member of our group.
Reinvigorated we descended gently, first along the SDW then later on the Monarch’s Way. A short stretch of road walking led to an exceptionally steep slope down a field, full of Freisian cows who – thankfully – paid us no attention. There followed a clear diagonal footpath across a large field, defined by yellowing crops dying from what we assumed was weedkiller; a good way for a farmer to ensure that walkers caused minimal damage to crops.
After a further two miles of relatively flat rambling across rough ground and then between fields, our course turned north alongside the burial ground of the Sustainability Centre. En route we saw more banks of cowslips, clumps of white nettles, bands of wild garlic and even the occasional gorse bush in full flower – but most beautiful were the swathes of bluebells exuding a heady bouquet.
Flagging, we paused for lunch at the Sustainability Centre – some of us enjoying tasty purchases from the Beech Café. Then we resumed our journey using the SDW for the rest of the day, a familiar route for many of us. There were architectural trees to marvel at along the way and colourful beech trees newly in leaf.
Entering Queen Elizabeth Country Park high on Butser Hill, we descended with care to the A3, dipping beneath the road via the underpass and so to the QECP Visitor Centre. Facilities were very welcome! Taking a last opportunity to bolster calories for the final 2 miles, a number of our party bought half-priced lemon drizzle cake at the café. Revived once more we trudged up and over the hill in QECP before relishing the descent past the old chalk pits to Buriton pond.
There was one last task: to pay homage to Buriton’s St Mary’s church originating in the late 12th century. This St Mary’s is large for a village church, having been the mother church for a parish of 6,000 acres, including Petersfield and Sheet until 1886 – when Petersfield expanded with the introduction of the Portsmouth to London railway line. Renowned for its stained glass windows, we especially liked the spring flower arrangements – including daffodils suspended in a lighting ring.
So after a long – but delightful – day’s walking, 13 weary ramblers climbed into their waiting cars and headed for home – via Droxford.
Author: Sandy Arpino
Photographer: Sandy Arpino