CHURCHES

RefreshmentsThe route is well served bypubs, cafés and restaurants - a few to mention are:

Caracoli, Alresford,SO24 9AR, 01962 738 730

Horse and Groom, Alresford,SO24 9AQ, 01962 734 809

Long Barn Home and GardenStore, Alresford,SO24 9EJ, 01962 738 684

The Alresford Cricketers,Alresford,SO24 9LW, 01962 732 463

The Bell, Alresford,SO24 9AT, 01962 732 429

The Bush Inn, Ovington,SO24 0RE, 01962 732 764

The Chestnut Horse, Easton,SO21 1EG, 01962 779 257

The Globe, Alresford,SO24 9DB, 01962 733 118

The Swan Hotel, Alresford,SO24 9AD, 01962 732 302

Tiffin Tea Rooms, Alresford,SO24 9AU, 01962 734 394

White House, Otterbourne,SO21 2EQ 01962 712 830

The glossary

Discover the historic churches inthe Itchen Valley on self-guided

walks and cycle rides

Aisle

Box-pews

Gallery

Lychgate

Piscina

Screen

LocalaccommodationBull Farm Studios, Kings Worthy, SO21 1AQ,07762 928 771

Cheriton Wood Studio,Alresford, SO24 0HR,01962 734 840

Dairy Cottage, Ropley, SO24 OEJ, 01962 773 348

Highfield Cottage, Twyford,SO21 1NR, 01962 712 921

Holiday Inn Winchester,Winchester, SO21 1HZ,0871 942 9188

Marwell Hotel, Colden Common, SO21 1JY, 01962 777 681

Old Alresford Place, Alresford SO24 9DH,01962 732 518

Orchard House,Twyford,SO21 1RJ, 01962 712 087

The Swan Hotel, Alresford, SO24 9AD,01962 732 302

Two Hoots, Bighton, SO24 9SG, 01962 772 242

This is just a sample ofplaces to stay. For furtherinformation go to www.visitwinchester.co.ukor contact WinchesterTourist Information Centreon 01962 840 500.

For detailed informationcontact My Journey Hampshirewww.myjourneyhampshire.com

Public transport

The River Itchen rises in the chalk downs aroundNew Alresford, flows west in a broad valley toKings Worthy, turns south through Winchester andeventually joins the River Test at Southampton.

The landscapes of the valley are mainly broad grassywater meadows and pasture, together with rollingchalk downland mostly given over to farming. Set alongthe river are many attractive and unspoilt villages, eachwith its own distinctive church.

This self-guided trail combines the superb scenery of the valley with adiscovery of some of the county’shistorically most important churches,offering the visitor an insight into thedevelopment of church architecture.

An additional trail of the Meon Valleychurches is also available.

CHURCHES

Nes l ng at he hea t of he Hampsh re oun ry idethe Meon Va ey is he ga eway to t e on ra t ngl nds apes of o l ng ch lk h l s and iv r va l ysun que to his t et h f Eng and

Th s s lf u ded t a l c m in s t e up rb s en ry of heva ey w th t e ppo t ni y to d s ov r s me of hecou ty s h to i a ly mo t m or ant hu ch s o er ng hev s t r an i s ght n o he d ve opme t of c ur ha ch t ct re rom Sa on to ate V to i n t mes

The c ur hes f om the No man A l Sa n s tEa t Meon n he no th o he S xon andl t r chu ch at i ch e d n t e sou h rede c ib d n i i ua ly n he ns de of h sl a l t An a di ona l af et s a o va ab et ac ng a ch r h r i wi h n he t henVa ey

D scover the exceptional churchesn the Meon va ley self gu ded

wa ks and cycle ides

CHU CH S

Aisle: passage alongside the naveor chancel, separated from it bypiers or columns

Apse: (apsidal-adj.) semicircularextension, usually at the east end ofthe church

Arcade: row of arches supportedby pier or columns

Bays: divisions of the interior of thechurch

Beakhead: Norman ornamentalmotif, with bird heads with beaksbiting into a moulding

Box-pews: pews enclosed by highbacks and ends with doors

Chancel: the eastern end of achurch, where the altar is placed

Gallery: balcony, often with seatsoverlooking the nave of the church

Long and short work: corners withalternate upright and horizontalstones, usually Saxon

Lychgate: roofed wooden gate atthe entrance to the churchyard

Mausoleum: monumental tomb

Nave: the western arm of thechurch, where the congregationstood

Pilaster strip: column in flat reliefagainst a wall

Piscina: stone basin for washingcommunion or mass vessels

Reredos: painted or carved screenbehind and above the altar

Rood: cross or crucifix, usually overthe entry to the chancel

Table-tomb: chest shaped stone coffin

Screen: structure, usually at theentrance to the chancel

Sedilia: seats for the priests on thesouth side of the chancel

These self-guided trails combinethe wonderful landscapes andscenery of the valley with thediscovery of some of thecounty’s most importantchurches. They exhibit a widerange of architectural styles:Saxon at Headbourne Worthy;Norman at Bishop’s Sutton,Easton and St Cross; Georgian atAvington; late Victorian at ItchenStoke. The churches are brieflydescribed individually inside thisleaflet.

The trailsThe churches of the Lower ItchenValley stretch from St Cross toOtterbourne, those of the MiddleItchen extend from HeadbourneWorthy eastwards to ItchenAbbas and the churches of theUpper Itchen form a groupcentred on New Alresford. Anumber of circular walks andcycle trails are suggested for eachgroup of churches. Publictransport information has beenincluded and all routes can befound on 1:25,000 OS ExplorerMap 132 Winchester, NewAlresford and East Meon.

The River Itchen rises in the chalk downs around New Alresford,flows west in a broad valley to Kings Worthy, turns souththrough Winchester and eventually joins the River Test atSouthampton. The landscapes of the valley are mainly broadgrassy water meadows and pasture, together with rolling chalkdownland mostly given over to farming. Set along the river aremany attractive and unspoilt villages, each with its owndistinctive church.

Winchester City Council has worked with the South Downs National Park to develop this trail. Further information can be found on www.southdowns.gov.uk

Survey material has been reproduced with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller ofHer Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyrightand may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. OS Licence No 00018301.

© Winchester City Council 2014

All details are believed to be correct at time of publication. No responsibility can be taken for errors,omissions or subsequent alterations. Assessments for accommodation are undertaken throughout the year, sosome ratings may have changed since this leaflet went to press. Winchester City Council cannot be heldresponsible for the quality of the establishments mentioned, although the rating awarded for food hygieneinspections can be found on www.food.gov.uk

Winchester City Council would like to acknowledge the assistance given by Hampshire County Council Rightsof Way Office in preparing this publication.

Images: © Joe Low and Winchester City Council

TSM00

88-004

68 Feb 201

5 Produced by W

inchester C

ity Council

Parish churches, with their richlyvaried range of styles and sizes,reflect an architectural evolution.They are a record of local artisticskills and materials used by ourforebears over past centuries,making the church both a placeof worship and the centre ofvillage life. The carvings,paintings, memorials andfurnishings provide a record ofhow people lived, worked andworshipped.

The drawings show a range ofround and pointed arches whichare commonly found in ourchurches; their characteristicstyles are useful dating aids.Below is a short glossary ofuseful ecclesiastical terms.

The architecture The Itchen Valley Church informationWith the exceptions ofOtterbourne and Compton(details inside), the churches inthis leaflet are generally openduring daylight hours. Rememberto leave the building as you findit, by closing doors and gates,and be sensitive to servicestaking place. Wheelchair accessto some churches may berestricted.

Making the mostof the Itchen ValleyTo enhance your trip, suggestedrefreshment stops and overnightaccommodation in the area havebeen included on the back panelof this leaflet.

Furtherinformation

If you enjoydiscovering thechurches of theItchen Valley, youmay also like to trythe partner to thisleaflet – Meon ValleyChurches – whichoffers similar walks

and cycle rides linking thechurches along the River Meon.Available from WinchesterTourist Information Centre01962 840 500, emailtourism@winchester.gov.uk.

More detailed information aboutthe Itchen Valley including localattractions, places to stay andrefreshments is available atwww.visitwinchester.co.uk

Decoratedlate 13th – early 14th century

Anglo-Saxon7th –11th century

Norman11th –12th century

Perpendicularlate 14th – early 16th century

Early English13th century

Lower Itchen churchesThe following churches can bevisited by taking the walks orcycle rides described right.

St Matthew’s Church,Otterbourne SU 4566 2280This church of striking blue brick,by O B Carter, was built between1837 and 1839. The eastern apse was added in1873. Inside is a late 17th centuryscreen, probably from Flanders.In the churchyard is a memorialcross to John Keble, rector for 30years. The lych-gate was given byCharlotte Yonge.

The church is open to visitors on Wednesdays 10.30 – 11.30amand Thursdays 2.30 – 3.30pm

Otterbourne Old Church (St Matthew’s) SU 4653 2267The site of the 13th centurychurch of St Matthew’s now onlyhas a few headstones and tabletombs. The walls of the churchare marked out in gravel. Thenave was demolished in 1842 butthe chancel survived as a burialchapel until 1971.

St Mary’s Church, Twyford SU 4809 2508 Mentioned in the DomesdayBook, the medieval building wasreplaced by the present church in1878. Designed by AlfredWaterhouse, the building is amixture of flint and brick withstone dressings. The bell tower,apparently resting on a ring of 12sarsen stones, is a local landmark.

All Saint’s Church, Compton SU 4679 2564The church is 12th century, withlater medieval additions. The southern chancel and navewere added in 1905. The northdoor, with its zigzag mouldings,dates to about 1160. There arefragments of a 13th century wallpainting in the splay of thenorth-east window.

The church is open to visitors on Tuesdays 2.30 – 3.30pm and Thursdays 10.30 – 11.30am

St Cross Church SU 4763 2778St Cross Church wasfounded by BishopHenry de Blois. It wasbegun in the later 12th

century (Norman eastend, crossing, part ofnave) and wascompleted in the 13th

century (Early Englishpart of nave, west end,porch). The font is lateNorman. There aremedieval paintings in thechapels and medievalfloor tiles in the porchand elsewhere. Thealmshouses were builtby Cardinal Beaufortaround 1445.

The Lower Itchen

St Matthew’sChurch

SU 4566 2280

Lower Itchen Walks Trail 1: Twyford, Compton &St Cross (6.8 miles/11km)

From the car park at TunBridge , follow the path

alongside the disusedrailway line, with the

Itchen Navigation onyour right, to StCatherine’s Lock.Continue to theA3090 road atHockley .

Cross the road with care. Bearright, pass under the M3motorway, then follow thefootpath alongside the ItchenNavigation to Compton Lock (1.75 miles/2.9km).

Bear south-east across TwyfordMeads to St Mary’s Church inTwyford (775 yards/710m).

Return over the river and bearsouth-west to White Cottage.

Turn right to Shawford .Pass under the railway to

Shawford Down.Follow the footpathsaround the Down to

Otterbourne Road .Cross the road withcare. Cross the M3motorway intoHurdle Way, thentake the footpathto the right. After

220 yards/ 200m turn right intoCarman’s Lane to All Saint’sChurch in Compton (1.9miles/3.1km).

Turn right into Compton Streetand cross to Place Lane. Passunder the motorway andrailway . Bear left and followthe path for 875 yards/800m,then join the lane alongside themotorway. Pass under themotorway to the A3090 road.Take care when crossing theroad. Turn right, then at thesignpost turn left along FiveBridges Road for 875yards/800m . Turn right, passSt Cross Farm and Mill to StCross Church and Hospital (2.1 miles/3.4km). NB There is an admission chargefor entry to St Cross Hospital.

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St CrossChurch

SU 4763 2778

All Saint’sChurch

SU 4679 2564

St Mary’sChurch

SU 4807 2508

Otterbourne OldChurch (St Matthew’s)

SU 4653 2267

Winchester

St Catherine’s Hill

Twyford

Compton

Shawford

Otterbourne

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Follow the path to Garnier Road ,then return to the car park at TunBridge (1) (0.7 miles/1.1km).

Trail 2: Otterbourne andCollege Mead (3.5 miles/5.7km)From the car park in CranbourneDrive , turn right and then leftinto Otterbourne Road. Walk toThe Old Forge pub & restaurant

. From the pub car park, takethe footpath across the meadows

to Kiln Lane . Take great careon the road. Turn right to the oldchurchyard of St Matthew’s (0.9 miles/1.4km).

From the graveyard, cross thefield to a railway arch , thenturn left to the waterworks atCollege Mead Lock . Turnsharp right along the canal to

. Turn right and return to therailway arch and the oldgraveyard (4 miles /2.2km).

Turn right along Kiln Lane .Take great care on the road. Takethe footpath uphill toOtterbourne Park Wood andfollow the path uphill to theentrance . Bear right intoChapel Lane, and then turn rightdownhill to St Matthew's Churchin Otterbourne . Return to thecar park (1.1 miles/1.8km).

Trail 2a: Otterbourne,College Mead and Allbrook(4.7 miles/7.5km)From , continue along the westbank of the Itchen Navigation toBrambridge . Cross Kiln Lanewith great care. Follow the eastbank to Allbrook . Turn rightand right again into PitmoreRoad . Turn right along ParkLane and continue to theentrance to Otterbourne ParkWood . Rejoin the main trail toSt Matthew’s Church and thecar park (2.4 miles/3.9km).

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The Cycle Route (13.7 miles/22km)At the car park at Tun Bridgeturn right along Bull Drove.Opposite the Park & Ride carpark, turn right up the hill to thefootbridge over the M3motorway . Join the off-roadcycle track along the Pilgrim’sWay, across Twyford Down and

Hazeley Down. At Hazeley Roadcross into Mare Lane. At turnsharp right on the track towardsTwyford Waterworks. Turn left,and then right into Bourne Lane

. At Twyford High Street, turnright then left into Berry Laneand St Mary’s Church (4.9miles/7.8km).

Return to Twyford High Streetand taking great care passthrough the village then fork

right into Highbridge Road(B3336) . After 1.2 miles/2km,turn right into Kiln Lane .Taking great care, follow the laneto Brambridge and on toOtterbourne Old Church .Continue along Kiln Lane towardsOtterbourne. At the mini-roundabout, St Matthew'sChurch is directly ahead (3.5miles/5.6km).

Turn left into Main Road.Continue to Otterbourne Road

, pass Shawford Down onthe right, cross the M3motorway, and descend toCompton . Turn left intoCompton Street and All Saints’Church (2.1 miles/3.3km).

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Turn left to Compton End .Take the track over ComptonDown to Oliver’s Battery andWhiteshute Lane . CrossBadger Farm Road, rejoinWhiteshute Lane and continue tothe railway . Cross over therailway into Mead Road. At StCross Road, turn right then left atThe Bell public house, to St CrossChurch (2.4 miles/3.8km).

Proceed along Back Street and StFaith’s Road. Turn into KingsgateRoad , and then into GarnierRoad. Follow Garnier Road backto the car park at Tun Bridge(0.8 miles/1.3km).

For more information aboutplaces to stay, eating and shopssee www.visitwinchester.co.uk

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The Countryside CodeRespect. Protect. EnjoyRespect other people

� consider the local community andother people enjoying the outdoors

� leave gates and property as youfind them and follow paths unlesswider access is available

Protect the natural environment

� leave no trace of your visit and take home litter

� keep dogs under effective control

Enjoy the outdoors

� plan ahead and be prepared

� follow advice and local signs

For more information visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside

If you would like this leaflet in a larger please email tourism@winchester.gov.uk or call 01962 840 500 to discuss your requirement.

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Did you know?You can find outabout the HazeleyDown Memorialby following theMillitary Trail ...

The Middle Itchen

St Mary’s Church, Easton SU 5092 3226The church is late Normanalthough it was restored in the1860 and 70s. In the nave is aJacobean pulpit with the doorsto the rood loft nearby in thenorth wall. Most striking are thehorseshoe shaped chancel archand the vaulted chancel. There isa memorial to Agatha Barlow (d.1595), each of whose fivedaughters was married to abishop.

St Mary the Virgin’sChurch, Avington SU 5328 3225

This red brick church with tower,mock battlements and PortlandStone dressings is virtuallyunaltered since its completion in1771. The exceptional Georgianinterior is furnished in Spanishmahogany with triple deckerpulpit, west gallery with barrelorgan and George III coat ofarms, and shoulder-high boxpews with wig/hat pegs.

Memorials include one toMargaret Brydges of AvingtonHouse, who paid for the church,and another to Sir John Shelley,brother of the Romantic poet.

St John the Baptist’sChurch, Itchen Abbas SU 5345 3273 The Norman church was rebuilt between 1860 and1880s in knapped flint andstone, incorporating the originalnorth doorway and chancel arch.In the porch are some originalfloor tiles and the complicatedbarrel-vaulted roof structureincludes some oak struts fromthe old church. The last man tobe hanged for horse stealing inEngland, John Hughes, is buriednear the ancient yew in the churchyard.

Trail 1: Avington, ItchenAbbas, Martyr Worthy,Kings Worthy, HeadbourneWorthy, Easton (8miles/12.9km)From the car park in AvingtonPark , walk uphill to Avington.Turn left and, taking care, followthe road to St Mary’s Church(730 yards/670m).

From the church, join thefootpath to the road junction.Turn left, passing Avington House,to St John’s Church in ItchenAbbas (0.7 miles/1.2km).

At the lych-gate, turn sharp leftand take the Itchen Way to Chilland Lane .

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Middle Itchen churches

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St Gertrude’s Chapel,Headbourne Worthy (site)SU 4906 3143 Nothing of the chapel survivesabove ground but earlyexcavations and casualdiscoveries suggest a 13th or 14th century date.

St Swithun’s Church,Headbourne Worthy SU 4874 3199 This late Saxon church contains alife-size sculptured rood* of thecrucified Christ, the Virgin and StJohn in the vestry. In the westdoorway long-and-short quoin(brick edging) work and stonepilaster* strips can also be found.The tower dates to the 13th

century. In the chancel are a 13th

century sedilia* (stone seats forthe clergy) and a 15th centurybrass to a Winchester Collegescholar. *See glossary

St Mary’s Church, KingsWorthy SU 4928 3233 Of 12th century origin, St Mary’swas much restored and extendedin the 19th century. The originaltower and nave roof survive.There is a 14th century font, 19th

century stained glass – some set-in medieval stonework – andan early glass roundel of SaintsBirinus and Swithun. ‘Free’ pewsin the south aisle are a reminderthat some pews used to berented.

St Swithun’s Church,Martyr Worthy SU 5156 3277 The 12th century nave with fineNorman doorways originallyincorporated the chancel. In themid 19th century the apsidal (seeglossary) chancel was added, thegated pews installed and thebelfry restored. In the nave arean 18th century coat of arms ofWinchester’s Bishop Hoadly anda memorial brass to the firstPrincipal of Royal HollowayCollege.

St M

ary’s Ch

urch, K

ings W

orthy

St M

ary’s Ch

urch, Easton

Did you know?The River Itchen is designatedas a Site of Special ScientificInterest (SSSI) due to its highquality habitats which supporta range of protected speciesincluding the water vole.

Middle Itchen Walks

St Swithun’sHeadbourne Worthy

SU 4874 3199

St Mary’sKings Worthy SU 4928 3233

St Swithun’sMartyr Worthy SU 5156 3277

St Mary’sEaston

SU 5092 3226

St Gertrude’s ChapelHeadbourne Worthy

SU 4874 3199

HeadbourneWorthy

Easton Avington

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The Cycle Route (10 miles/16.2km)From the car park in AvingtonPark , cycle up the hill towardsAvington. Turn left, and followthe road to St Mary’s Church(730 yards/670m).

Turn left, then left again at thenext junction. Pass Avington House,to St John’s Church in ItchenAbbas (0.7 miles/1.2km).

Turn left and left again to StationHill. Stay on the B3047 to MartyrWorthy.

At the memorial, turn leftto St Swithun’s Church

(1.4 miles/2.2km).

Return to the B3047, turn left toAbbots Worthy. Taking greatcare, cross the A33 to KingsWorthy and St Mary’s Church(1.7 miles/2.7km).

Continue on the B3047 towardsWinchester. St Swithun’s Churchin Headbourne Worthy is onthe right (765 yards/700m).

Stay on the B3047 intoWinchester. After 0.7miles/1.1km, turn left into DysonDrive and follow the cyclepaths past Hyde Abbey Gardento the leisure centre and then toPark Avenue and North Walls .Turn left down North Walls andthen bear left over DurngateBridge . Cycle up Easton Laneto the M3 motorway interchange

. Cross the interchange withgreat care, then follow EastonLane north-east to Easton village(4.2 miles/6.7km).

At The Cricketers public house,turn left to St Mary’s Church .Return to The Cricketers, turnleft, pass the Chestnut Horsepublic house , and return tothe car park in Avington Park(1.6 miles/2.5km).

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From St Swithun’s Churchproceed down Church Lane andcross the valley to Easton. Turnright to the Chestnut Horsepublic house , on to St Mary’sChurch and then return to thecar park in Avington Park (4.8miles/7.6km).

Trail 1b: Alternative,longer, walking route (11.3 miles/18km)

Return to Kings Worthy and turnright after the village hall. Followthe road between the housesand the offices and pick up thefootpath . Pass under the A34,turn left for 320 yards/290m .

Turn right and follow the pathpast St Gertrude’s Chapel (siteonly), to Abbotts Barton .Continue along Nuns Walk toNuns Road . Turn left, crossthe stream and follow thefootpaths, past Hyde AbbeyGarden, across the recreationgrounds to Park Avenue (2.4miles/ 3.8km).

Turn left, cross Durngate Bridgeinto Wales Street . Justbeyond Nickel Close, join thepath past Dykes Farm, to asubway beneath the A34 .Cross Easton Down to LongWalk . Rejoin the main route(1.9 miles/ 3.1km).

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ItchenStoke�

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St John theBaptist’s

Martyr Worthy SU 5345 3273

St Mary the Virgin’sAvington

SU 5328 3225

St Mary’sItchen StokeSU 5590 3242

St Peter’sOvington

SU 5609 3160

ItchenAbbas

Martyr Worthy

B3047

Cross the lane and continue onthe Itchen Way to St Swithun’sChurch in Martyr Worthy (940yards/860m).

Follow the path from the southside of the churchyard to reachEaston Lane (670 yards/610m).Continue to the motorwayunderpass (830 yards/760m).Keep to the path to the B3047road, turn left and then rejointhe footpath to Mill Lane inAbbots Worthy (720 yards/660m). Follow the path and,taking great care, cross the A33to St Mary’s Close and St Mary’sChurch at Kings Worthy(625 yards/570m).

Turn left along the road andwalk to St Swithun's Church atHeadbourne Worthy (765 yards/700m).

Retrace your steps to KingsWorthy and Abbots Worthy

(0.8 miles/1.3km). At MillLane turn right, cross the bridgesand follow the path across themeadows to the Fulling Mill andLong Walk longer trail rejoins(570 yards/520m).

Turn right to the subway underthe M3 motorway (490yards/450m).

Follow the path to Easton and StMary’s Church (0.6 miles/1km).

Turn left and at the junction leftagain. After 90 yards/80m, takethe footpath to the ChestnutHorse public house (670yards/ 615m). Turn left and,taking care, return to the carpark in Avington Park (1 mile/1.6km).

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The Upper ItchenChurchesSt John the Baptist’sChurch, New Alresford SU 5884 3265 This medievalchurch, largelyrebuilt in 1898,has a tower

with 14th century lower stagesand a 17th century upper stage.The small crucifixion carvingabove the west door is lateSaxon. In the churchyard are fivegravestones dated 1810–12,inscribed in French toNapoleonic prisoners of war.

St Mary’s Church, OldAlresford SU 5880 3365 This flint and red brick church was built in the mid 18th century,with further 19th centuryadditions. Fine 18th and 19th

century memorials include oneto Mary Sumner, the founder ofthe Mothers’ Union.

St Martin’s Church,Abbotstone (site) SU 5668 3445 The site of St Martin’s Churchlies within a rectangularenclosure on the western side ofthe deserted medieval village.

St Mary’s Church, Itchen Stoke SU 5590 3242

St Peter’s Church,Ovington SU 5609 3160 Completed in 1866, the churchreplaces a Norman building. Theexterior includes a bell towerover the south porch, widebands of fish scale tiles anddecorative ridge tiles. Inside, theorgan and chancel are richlydecorated; the carved reredos(see glossary) is of Caen stone.The square font comes from the original church whoseentrance arch stands in thechurchyard.

St Andrew’s Church,Tichborne SU 5687 3026 St Andrew’s is of mid-11th

century origin, the aisles are late12th century. The tower wasrebuilt in 1703. There are Saxonstone pilaster strips and windowsin the chancel, and a 16th centurybox pew and panelled Jacobeanpews in the nave. In the northaisle is a Roman Catholic chapelwith memorials to the Tichbornefamily.

St Michael’s Church,Cheriton SU 5819 2843

Built in the 13th century, andwith 15th century additions, thechurch was damaged by fire in1744. It was further restored in

the 19th and20th centuries.The towerwas facedwith flint andbrick work inthe 18th

century.

St Nicholas’ Church,Bishop’s Sutton SU 6059 3201 The flint and stone church datesfrom 1150, and the chancel islate 13th century. The belfry issupported on massive internaltimbers. In the nave are fouroriginal windows and two finedoorways. There are two 14th

century crosses, and aninteresting memorial to WilliamCowper (d 1709), aleadingsurgeon.

All Saints’ Church, BightonSU 6101 3448 The church is mainly 12th

century with later additions. Thesimple nave and chancel havelate 12th century aisles, each ofwhich has a chapel to the east.The font is of Purbeck marble.The rich decoration on theceilings is early 20th century, bySir Ninian Comper.

Trail 1: Bishop’s Sutton,Bighton, Old Alresford,New Alresford (9.3 miles/15km)From New Alresford station carpark , take the path to SunLane.

Turn left at Whitehill Lane ,and follow to Bishop’s Suttonand St Nicholas’ Church (1.9 miles/3km).

Turn left up Church Lane (bewareof blind bends), cross the railway

, and cross the fields toBighton . Turn left intoMalthouse Lane and to All Saints’Church (1.8 miles/2.9km).

Return to Malthouse Lane ,turn right to Drayton Farm andpass the watercress beds to theroad . At the crossroads

turn right to St Mary’s Churchat Old Alresford (2.1 miles/3.3km).

Turn right towards OldAlresford, then left past thegreen. Follow the OxdroveWay for 1085 yards/990m,

then turn left . Continue tothe road . Turn right, then

after 490 yards/450m, turn leftthen join the Wayfarer’s Walk .Turn left to Drove Lane , crossFob Down past the ponds to The

Dean (14). Turn right, pass theFulling Mill, and follow the laneto Mill Hill, Broad Street (15) andSt John’s Church (16). Turn leftto the station car park (1) (3.7miles/5.9km).

Trail 2: Tichborne, Cheriton (8.2 miles/13.2km)From New Alresford Station carpark , take the path to SunLane and Whitehill Lane . Turnright into Tichborne Down, toThe Cricketers public house(alternative trail 2a starts here).Turn left over the bridge thenimmediately right and join theItchen Way past Vernal Farm to

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The Cycle Route (17.2miles/27.7km)

From the car park at AlresfordStation go towards the towncentre. Turn right for St John’sChurch (220 yards/200m).

Cross with care into BroadStreet, and then bear right intoThe Soke. Cross the Great Weirto Old Alresford and St Mary’sChurch (0.7 miles/1.1km).

Return to the junction andfollow the lane to Abbotstone (2 miles/3.1km). The remains of St Martin’s Church are in theraised area on the left.

At the next junction bear leftto St Mary’s Church at ItchenStoke (1.6 miles/2.6km).

Turn left, then right, cross theford and turn right to Ovingtonand St Peter’s Church (1.1 miles/1.7km).

Return to East Lane. At AlresfordRoad turn left to the crossroads.Take great care at this point .Follow the lane to Tichborne andSt Andrew’s Church (2.4 miles/3.9km).

Turn right, pass Grange Farm andSevington Farm to the T-junction

. Turn right to Cheriton and StMichael’s Church (1.9 miles/3.1km).

Return towards Alresford andturn right into North End Lane

. Follow the lanes to a T-junction , then turn left alongScrubbs Lane to Bishop’s Suttonand St Nicholas’ Church (2.8miles/4.4km).

Follow Church Lane to Bightonand All Saints’ Church

(2.1 miles/3.4km).

Turn right and at , take thenarrow lane to Old Alresford.From the village, return to thestation car park(2.6 miles/4.2km).

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Upper Itchen Walks

St Peter’sOvington

SU 5609 3160

St Andrew’sTichbourne

SU 5687 3026

St Michael’sCheriton

SU 5819 2843

St Mary’sItchen Stoke SU 5590 3242

St John the Baptist’sNew Alresford SU 5884 3265

St Martin’sAbbotstone

SU 5668 3445 All Saints’Bighton

SU 6101 3448

St Nicholas’Bishops Sutton SU 6059 3201

St Mary theVirgin’s

Old Alresford

ItchenStoke

New AlresfordBishop’sSutton

Tichborne

Cheriton

AbbotstoneOldAlresford

Bighton

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Trodd’s Copse . Turn left alongthe Kings Way to Tichborne. At The Old Rectory, turn right toSt Andrew’s Church (2.8 miles/4.5km).

Turn right to Grange Farm, crossthe field and rejoin the lane toSevington Farm . Turn rightand follow the path to HillHouses . Turn left into HillHouses Lane, to St Michael’sChurch in Cheriton (1.2miles/1.9km).

Return to Hill Houses Lane, turnleft along the Wayfarer’s Walk toCheriton Mill . Turn right, andfollow the Wayfarer’s Walk alongPrite Lane and Hinton Lane tothe Crooked Billet. Join theB3046, then turn right . Crossthe golf course to TichborneDown, turn right and return viaSun Lane to the station carpark (3.4 miles/5.4km).

Trail 2a: Alternative routeto include Ovington andItchen Stoke (12 miles/19km)From The Cricketers publichouse, continue along SpringGardens (St Swithun’s Way) toAlresford Road and followEast Lane to The Bush publichouse at Ovington . Turn rightalongside the river to ItchenStoke and St Mary’s Church(1.75 miles/2.8km).

Return to Water Lane, then turnright across the fields. Turn leftto Lovington Lane left againto Ovington, then right to StPeter’s Church (1.1 miles/1.8km).

Turn left, pass Ovington House,turn left and follow the footpathto the lay-by . Cross the A32dual carriageway with great care.Take the King’s Way past Trodd’sCopse (1 mile/1.5km). (RejoinTrail 2).

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Alresford

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A member of Cheriton’s A member of Cheriton’s duck populationduck population

This 1866 church is based onthe 13th century La SainteChapelle in Paris. Inside are acircular chancel floor withglazed tiles, an elaborate font,a pulpit and pew ends withdecorative cast iron panels,and two small Tudor brasses.

The church is in the care ofthe Redundant ChurchesFund; access from two nearbykeyholders.

TSM0088-00468 itchen valley church trail new_Layout 1 05/03/2015 09:25 Page 19

Trail 1: Bishop’s Sutton,Bighton, Old Alresford,New Alresford (9.3 miles/15km)From New Alresford station carpark , take the path to SunLane.

Turn left at Whitehill Lane ,and follow to Bishop’s Suttonand St Nicholas’ Church (1.9 miles/3km).

Turn left up Church Lane (bewareof blind bends), cross the railway

, and cross the fields toBighton . Turn left intoMalthouse Lane and to All Saints’Church (1.8 miles/2.9km).

Return to Malthouse Lane ,turn right to Drayton Farm andpass the watercress beds to theroad . At the crossroads

turn right to St Mary’s Churchat Old Alresford (2.1 miles/3.3km).

Turn right towards OldAlresford, then left past thegreen. Follow the OxdroveWay for 1085 yards/990m,

then turn left . Continue tothe road . Turn right, then

after 490 yards/450m, turn leftthen join the Wayfarer’s Walk .Turn left to Drove Lane , crossFob Down past the ponds to The

Dean (14). Turn right, pass theFulling Mill, and follow the laneto Mill Hill, Broad Street (15) andSt John’s Church (16). Turn leftto the station car park (1) (3.7miles/5.9km).

Trail 2: Tichborne, Cheriton (8.2 miles/13.2km)From New Alresford Station carpark , take the path to SunLane and Whitehill Lane . Turnright into Tichborne Down, toThe Cricketers public house(alternative trail 2a starts here).Turn left over the bridge thenimmediately right and join theItchen Way past Vernal Farm to

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From the car park at AlresfordStation go towards the towncentre. Turn right for St John’sChurch (220 yards/200m).

Cross with care into BroadStreet, and then bear right intoThe Soke. Cross the Great Weirto Old Alresford and St Mary’sChurch (0.7 miles/1.1km).

Return to the junction andfollow the lane to Abbotstone (2 miles/3.1km). The remains of St Martin’s Church are in theraised area on the left.

At the next junction bear leftto St Mary’s Church at ItchenStoke (1.6 miles/2.6km).

Turn left, then right, cross theford and turn right to Ovingtonand St Peter’s Church (1.1 miles/1.7km).

Return to East Lane. At AlresfordRoad turn left to the crossroads.Take great care at this point .Follow the lane to Tichborne andSt Andrew’s Church (2.4 miles/3.9km).

Turn right, pass Grange Farm andSevington Farm to the T-junction

. Turn right to Cheriton and StMichael’s Church (1.9 miles/3.1km).

Return towards Alresford andturn right into North End Lane

. Follow the lanes to a T-junction , then turn left alongScrubbs Lane to Bishop’s Suttonand St Nicholas’ Church (2.8miles/4.4km).

Follow Church Lane to Bightonand All Saints’ Church

(2.1 miles/3.4km).

Turn right and at , take thenarrow lane to Old Alresford.From the village, return to thestation car park(2.6 miles/4.2km).

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n the Baptist’sw Alresford 5884 3265

All Saints’Bighton

SU 6101 3448

Nicholas’ops Sutton

6059 3201

Bishop’sSutton

Bighton

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Trodd’s Copse . Turn left alongthe Kings Way to Tichborne. At The Old Rectory, turn right toSt Andrew’s Church (2.8 miles/4.5km).

Turn right to Grange Farm, crossthe field and rejoin the lane toSevington Farm . Turn rightand follow the path to HillHouses . Turn left into HillHouses Lane, to St Michael’sChurch in Cheriton (1.2miles/1.9km).

Return to Hill Houses Lane, turnleft along the Wayfarer’s Walk toCheriton Mill . Turn right, andfollow the Wayfarer’s Walk alongPrite Lane and Hinton Lane tothe Crooked Billet. Join theB3046, then turn right . Crossthe golf course to TichborneDown, turn right and return viaSun Lane to the station carpark (3.4 miles/5.4km).

Trail 2a: Alternative routeto include Ovington andItchen Stoke (12 miles/19km)From The Cricketers publichouse, continue along SpringGardens (St Swithun’s Way) toAlresford Road and followEast Lane to The Bush publichouse at Ovington . Turn rightalongside the river to ItchenStoke and St Mary’s Church(1.75 miles/2.8km).

Return to Water Lane, then turnright across the fields. Turn leftto Lovington Lane left againto Ovington, then right to StPeter’s Church (1.1 miles/1.8km).

Turn left, pass Ovington House,turn left and follow the footpathto the lay-by . Cross the A32dual carriageway with great care.Take the King’s Way past Trodd’sCopse (1 mile/1.5km). (RejoinTrail 2).

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A e r Ch r s A member of Cheriton’s duck populationduck population