Crondall - Horsedown Common - Crondall

Richard Clayton

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Walkingworld would like to thank Julian Holt for originally contributing this walk route and also thanks to Richard Clayton who has now agreed to take care of this walk guide. August 2019.

Crondall is traditionally a farming area, as is reflected in the theme of this walk. Crops of wheat and barley grow easily in the fertile, chalky soil, kept watered by numerous natural springs seeping through the chalklands. The village derives its name from the word 'crundel', an Old English word meaning a chalk-pit. Most of the extraction that took place here in the past can be found in the basin that's now become Oak Park Golf Course. At the village centre and the start of our walk is All Saints Church, which dates from the 12th Century. This Norman building has twice been rebuilt in the 1800s, but still retains much of its original architecture. It was recently named as one of the country's finest examples of Norman building style in the UK.

Our route first takes us through this open farmland, giving splendid views over undulating fields as we skirt the edge of Wimble Hill. Then it's on into woodland where deer, badger setts and countless rabbits can be seen and across to Horsedown Common, where cattle graze. Passing quaint old cottages as well as magnificent country mansions, the village feel of Crondall stays with you all along. Ending at the cricket ground, a sit on the seats to take in the ambience is a must!

The village has three excellent pubs to choose from for refreshments and a small shop can be found just down the road from the church.

England - South England - Hampshire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Nature Trail, Pub, Restaurant, Wildlife, Woodland

6/11/2019 - Martin Marsh

We have done this walk several times recently as it is really enjoyable, each time there is something different growing in the fields also it is very quiet and peaceful rarely see any other walkers (please note that when you come to close to the trig point you will see this in front of you as you walk up the field- head this way through a farm gate then bear right which takes you back on course, not through the field near the stables (Garmin nav points this way) as barbed wire fence etc.

10/2/2011 - Mark Bailey

This was probably not one of my fav walks in this neck of the woods. Why? Well, there were too many fields to walk around and to be honest by the end we were a bit fed up. That said, if you sneakily head off to the Trig point there is a supper view...best of all the excellent pub called the Feathers in Crondall at the end... One final thought. If the weather is wet take your wellies as three plus miles walking on mud will make any new white pair of trainers a tad dirty.

5/22/2011 - Patricia Daw

22-05-11 Tricia Daw Have just completed this well directed walk on a very blowy day. Would advise caution doing the walk when oil seed rape is in full bloom if you suffer from hay fever as at one point (WM11) you have to wade thru' a field of it. Fortunately for me the crop was at the pod stage. If you carry your packed lunch with you as we did it is worth knowing that there are two very sittable tree trunks with a gorgeous view just as you come out of the woods between WM 8 and 9.

5/13/2011 - David Love

This was a great walk. The directions were very clear. It would appear that the finger posts have largely been renewed since the directions were written.