We have enough people interested to make it worth a second attempt at the walk on Monday 29th February. All the details (and route) the same as before. I'll be leading the walk because Andrea and Bryan will be enjoying a holiday in Madeira.
Andy Henderson
5 miles, Circular.
Meet at Hayling Community Centre at 9.15am to car share and then on to Warnford, ref. SU640241. Parking is best in Church Lane northwest of the church where the lane widens - postcode GU32 1LE.
The walk will start at approx. 10am, going through the churchyard - past the "table-top" tomb of Thomas Lord - then crosses fields to the snowdrops at Warnford Park, returning by the disused railway.
Stiles: 3.
Then north for lunch at the West Meon pub ("Two for one") at the junction of the A32 and the A272 (GU32 1JX)).
There is a stretch of road/verge walking so bring a Hi-Vis top if you wish and in a few places the fields are greasy –a stick may help.
The route we took...
And the written instructions from Andrea...
Start from West Meon Church, SU640241 : parking best in Church Lane some 250 yards northwest past the church where the lane widens at the foot of the slope. Post code GU32 1LE
From the main door of the church, go down the steps near the war memorial into the graveyard. On the left is the "table-top" tomb of Thomas Lord, founder of Lords Cricket ground, and a sometime resident of the village. Here turn RIGHT to exit the churchyard over a brick stile, and follow the path which winds through high fences to emerge on the edge of an estate. Keep ahead to a FP sign leading to open hillside. Follow the obvious path which winds up gently at the field edge to soon level out. Ignore right turning and in ½ mile pass though a narrow strip of woodland over a stile to the next field.
Keep ahead with the field edge on the right and come to farm building and a lane via a stile. Turn LEFT here, down the lane which meanders, but ignore any turnings off and pass the children’s play area on the left to come to the main road (A32) by some watercress beds.
Turn RIGHT along the road. BEWARE, there is no pavement, just a reasonable verge.
In about 200 yards, cross to the left side of the road to the entrance to Warnford Park. Pedestrian entrance is via a gate on the right of the road gate.
Follow the road as it weaves around to the church and the snowdrop-covered patches of churchyard.
Retrace your steps to the A32and along it (To the RIGHT) passing the point where you joined it earlier. Opposite the George and Falcon go up the lane for ~ mile till you reach the old railway which is in a cutting.
Take the path on the LEFT to descend to the rail track. Probably VERY MUDDY* hereabouts. Go along the track for about a mile to reach the site of West Meon station.
Keeping LEFT, go down the lane - Station Road - to the edge of the village at the A32.
Cross the A32 and take footpath by stream back to church.
*Since the instructions were written, there has been extensive clearance of the Meon Valley Trail. We didn't encounter much mud at all.