We plan to organise car shares in advance, so will not meet at West Town Car Park.
Park at the car park at Meon Hall, postcode SO32 3NP, grid reference SU617201 for walk start at 10.00 am.
The walk climbs up Old Winchester Hill with the last quarter mile being quite steep. We then use the South Downs Way all the way to Beacon Hill. There is chalk on the first part of the descent, which can be slippery, but most of the way there is a grass verge available. Walking poles might be useful. We go briefly alongside the River Meon Valley then through the pretty village of Exton. The climb up Beacon Hill is steep for about 0.4 mile. The descent is not a problem as we use the quiet road.
We return to the cars via Corhampton and Meonstoke.
Late lunch is available at The Shoe Inn in Exton, or a burger or pizza lunch and/or a drink can be enjoyed at the A32/A272 junction on the way home, at Caffeine & Machine.
The route is normally dry underfoot. However there may be some mud in one or two places if we have a lot of rain shortly before the walk.
The total distance will be 7.6 miles, with around 1000 feet of total height gain.
This is the planned route: