Holybourne
Children will enjoy the park and duck pond on this walk as well as chickens and ponies. The pub also has an excellent play area in its garden.
The Basics
Time: 40 minutes
Distance: 2.5 km
Terrain: Flat field paths, pavements and quiet country lanes
Pushchair: The field paths are not ideal for pushchairs
Dogs: No dogs in the park
Refreshments: The White Hart is on the route and has a brilliant play area and a covered outdoor dining section
Toilets: None
Parking: Free parking at the side of London Road, opposite Town and Country Cars is a good area (Postcode: GU34 4HA - W3W: impresses/unzipped/light)
Holybourne is an attractive village on the outskirts of Alton. Our walk starts from the excellent children’s play area and takes an easy route around the neighbouring fields before returning via the church, duckpond and family-friendly pub with its own play area.
The Route
At the start or end of the route, children will no doubt want to enjoy the excellent play area. We therefore suggest that you should park along London Road close to the park and begin the walk from there. Walk along London Road with the park to your left and away from the village. Look out for the footpath on your left, going away from the road between the play area and the cricket club.
Head up the footpath and take the first path to your right that goes across a field. Cross the field to the opposite side. The cricket club will be to your right.
Head into a little copse on the other side and then cross a stream. The path will then emerge into another field. Turn left and walk up the edge of the field (or through the strip of trees that run along the edge). At the top, you will come to a junction of paths and you should turn left.
Cross the field and then go straight across the track of New Lane (actually the same path you started on). Continue straight across the field. You will see the play area in the distance to your left. As you reach the opposite side of the field, the path will become enclosed on either side. Keep going in the same direction until you hit the road and the church opposite.
Cross the road and enter the churchyard. Walk to the right of the church and find the duckpond on the other side.
After enjoying the pond, walk down Church Lane towards the village. There is no pavement, but it it very quiet. Look out for the footpath marker on the left by the gate that says Stable Cottage and a little stone dragon (I think it was a dragon?!). Walk to the paddock and the turn right with the footpath. Go through the gate at the end of the paddock and enter another paddock with an electric fence to the left with ponies in and a chicken run to the right. Children will get a good view of the ponies and chickens from the path, but shouldn’t attempt to feed either.
The path will bring you back onto London road. Turn right for the pub and left for the play area.
Did you know?
The footpaths around the cricket pitch are close to a Roman Road and the area has resulted in some Roman finds. Keep a lookout!
If you enjoyed this walk…
Try this one at Greatham which has a play area made by the same company.
