There are a good selection of routes in the Meon Valley from East Meon,
taking in fine open country and woodland. It is also close to where I live,
so many walks are planned and walked from the quaint village.
At the start I headed across country to Sand Hill where I eventually joined
the South Downs Way (SDW). It was across a couple of open fields, then a
little steep hill to the top of Small Down, then left on to Sand Hill where
I joined the SDW. I continued on the SDW passing close to some rather grand
houses that were built on the old Royal Navy Communications School, HMS
Mercury. At Hyden Cross, the walk continued on a wide track across country
to Butser Hill, still on the SDW. There are great views along this section
back towards East Meon and the Meon Valley, and closer to Butser Hill, south
to the Solent and Isle of Wight. Butser Hill can be very busy at weekends
as it is accessible by road, and a short walk from Queen Elizabeth County
Park car park. I avoided the busy area by going down the path at the back
of Butser Hill to join Limekiln Lane ....... which is actually a footpath on
a track! On reaching Lythe House Farm, I followed the narrow lane left,
then right onto Cumber's Lane ...... again a rather muddy footpath which I
wouldn't class as a Lane. This path eventually brought me to Frogmore, then
a short stroll through some Allotments and I was at East Meon high street.
It was then a short walk back to the car.
Distance 8.5 miles.
Excellent outing, with plenty of sunshine until the latter stage of the
walk, then the clouds closed in. It was very pleasant, and good enough to
be still walking in shorts.
See some photos from along the route at the web address below.
--
Sandy Saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk
"Mountains or Mole Hills ..... reaching the
summit still brings the same excitement"