Note the walk will start at 9.30 - earlier than usual.
We plan to organise car shares in advance, so will not meet at West Town Car Park.
Park at the Harrow Inn, Steep, postcode GU32 2DA, grid reference SU752251. We will leave food orders at the pub before starting the walk. There is limited roadside parking available near the pub if you do not plan to stay for lunch. I have promised we will be back at the pub for lunch by 12.30.
Last time we walked from The Harrow, we were able to park in a field about 300 metres South of the pub. The planning authorities have now disallowed parking there.
Here are the instructions for finding the pub taken from its website:
From the south via A3: Leave A3 at exit marked A272 Winchester. Take 3rd exit off roundabout past MacDonalds. Follow road for 400 yards to another roundabout. Take first exit (SP Steep). Follow road for 1.5 miles until you reach The Cricketers PH. Turn right at this crossroads. Follow this road (Church Road) for 1 mile, past the school and church and then down a steep windy hill. As the road levels out just past the Tennis and Cricket Clubs and round a slight bend the Harrow Inn is on the left.
This is a shorter walk than usual, but with a long climb out of the village and up to the hanger, which has links to Edward Thomas and a famous view towards Selborne and beyond, which is associated with William Cobbett.
It should not be too muddy.
The total distance will be 6.2 miles, with 1,000 feet of total height gain.
Finally, please remember that The Harrow takes cash and cheques(!) but nothing more modern.
This is the planned route: