Finchdean

Sylvia Saunders

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This beautiful circular walk starts from The George in the village of Finchdean. The route takes you through woodland with a wealth of wildflowers in the summer and never too muddy underfoot in the winter. You will be unlucky not to see deer on this walk; often a herd can be seen grazing in the valley. Look out for the local celebrity - an albino deer - he stands out in the crowd! The walk takes you through Markswells Wood to Hillbarn, through Drift Road Plantation and then from Horsley Farm to South Holt Farm and back to Finchdean.

Those of you walking with dogs may find it useful to know that my dog, a slim, fit Labrador who cannot jump, managed all the stiles with ease.

England - South England - Hampshire - Countryside

Features

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

7/6/2014 - Ray Clarke

I've done quite a few of Sylvia's walks now. All have been a delight with clear instructions, her trusty dog guiding the way and generally a well chosen and route. So it is with some comfort I can select a walk knowing the author. In this instance though my expectations were far exceeded! This walk takes you through fields and wood lands giving a good and varied space experience. The paths are generally easy to walk and well drained so mud is unlikely to be a problem after heavy rain. The walk's instructions refer to stiles, but when I did this walk in July 2014 many had been replaced with kissing gates making it even easier especially if you have a dog. There is one section where live stock can be present which Sylvia offers advice for a detour to bypass it (wise if you have a dog which might unnerve the cattle). My dog enjoyed this walk and as it has given me a real buzz today I've scored it a full 5 stars.

6/28/2009 - Helena Pugsley

One of the prettiest walks I have done! Really lovely at this time of year with the wheat changing colour. I wasn't lucky enough to spot the deer though, but it didn't matter as I had such a lovely walk. There is a bench carved from a tree about half way which offers a great picnic spot and views of the countryside. More info and photos here: http://helenap.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/finchdean/

3/1/2009 - Jeffrey Smith

I did this walk today (1/3/09) and at the start of the walk where you go under the railway bridge it is flooded to some depth and impassible without waders. We found that if you turn Left from the pub and go along the road, just under the railway bridge there is another fingerpost and a broken stile on the right. If you go over this and follow the path and signs you will eventually join up with the original route at waymark 5. on the return route turn right at waymark 4 and retrace the route you took at the start (in reverse).

11/13/2008 - Walkingworld Administrator

This walk was updated November 2008.

2/3/2008 - Ray Churcher

03/02/08-Ray Churcher-This is a fine undulating walk which is very much familiar territory for me. I started this walk from near the'church in the field' at Old Idsworth where there is good verge parking. I had company on this walk in the shape of a very friendly colley type dog. This complete stranger joined me soon after the start and stayed with me for at least 4 miles!! Eventually, about a mile from the car, it decided to clear off in a totally different direction. Thanks for this.

1/7/2007 - Robert Comlay

Despite the wet, windy early January weather, this was (another) lovely walk written up by Sylvia. It's only when you've done a few of her walks, and then retraced them in different seasons, that it becomes obvious how much time and effort that she puts into the planning, the directions and the pictures. While there may have been a shortage of leaves today, it was made up for by the abundance of deer! I'll be back in the spring for sure!