Farringdon - St Swithun's Way - Dogford Wood - Farringdon

Jeffrey Smith

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Starting from a lay-by on the A32 at (Lower) Farringdon, the walk soon joins part of the disused Meon Valley Railway, then after about a mile the walk joins St Swithun's Way, which it follows for a good part of the route. The route winds its way through the heart of the Hampshire countryside at the north end of the Meon Valley, passing through woodland and farmland. I compiled this walk during winter (2010) and many parts of the route were very muddy (when it wasn't frozen), so adequate footwear is essential. There are some hills and quite a few stiles on the walk, but nothing too strenuous. There is a good pub at the end for welcome refreshments.

England - South England - Hampshire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Pub, Wildlife, Woodland

6/27/2021 - Mike Buckland

Did this walk on 23/06/21. Overall the walk is more accessible for dogs as most stiles have been replaced by new metal kissing gates other than stiles at points 14,15,16 which are Ok for dogs. Point 1. Avoid the overgrown path behind the farm barns by taking the tarmac road at the end of the lay-by passing Farringdon Cottage on your left. After about 50 yards there is a green footpath sign on the right and a path that takes you off the road, and and into a field and the path follows the left edge of the field. Follow this for about 100 yards until you meet the track at point 2. Point 2. This is now a marker post (no finger post) and to the left you will see a disused railway bridge. Turn right down the old railway line going away from the bridge. Point 9/10 is currently a big gap between fields and no stile.

9/17/2020 - andy hasted

Point 17 still has the electric fence- no stile. The fence is now easily negotiable as the landowner has fitted handles and hooks to it so you can just lift it to one side. We started from the public car park in Four Marks and joined the walk at point 7. This gives the option of a pub lunch in Farringdon . Golden Pheasant does nice beer and ok pub food. Points 1-6 are quite hard and flinty underfoot for dogs.

6/15/2020 - Neil Packham

The footpath at WM17 is currently obstructed by an electric fence; the only option is to crawl under it almost at ground level. It appears that more than one obstruction on this section has been reported to Hampshire County Council over the last few years, apparently to little positive effect... Otherwise very pleasant walking at this time of year, and well directed too.

10/21/2012 - Susan Pyne

Not recommended at the moment. This walk is probably delightful on a sunny summer day after a period with little rain but when we did it today much of the route was treacherously muddy. The long track between waymarks 12 and 13 is completely churned up (by quad bikes?) and we had to retreat to the adjacent field and then rejoin the route by squeezing under a barbed wire fence. The narrow path through the wood from waymark 16 is also inches deep in slippery mud.