A Circular Walk from Buriton, Near Petersfield, Hampshire

Distance 12 miles

A small car park is available at the village pond/Church, where the walk starts. The car park can be wet and muddy after rain! There is also a couple of very nice pubs in the village for refreshments after the walk.
(photo:  Buriton Pond at the car park)

Buriton Pond at the car park

Leave the southern end of the car park, cross a stile and head southwest across the field to another stile. Cross over and proceed up the steep path through the wooded area. Join the road, turn right to the ‘T’ junction and across into the parking area. Leave the parking area through the gate into Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Follow the gravel track up hill and then along the top, avoiding any turn-offs.  Keep to the east of the park.
(photo:  Frosty start at Buriton)

Frosty start at Buriton

The gravel track eventually becomes earth (muddy after rain!) and gently curves left to join the Staunton Way.  This now follows the contours of New Barn Hangar, then back in a southerly direction.
(photo:  Looking towards Buriton and the South Downs.)

Looking towards Buriton and the South Downs

 The Staunton Way heads south across the fields to the village of Chalton.  Follow the path, then farm track, to reach a metalled road.  Go straight on for a short distance to the Red Lion public house.  (A very fine 16th century thatched building) Opposite is Chalton Church.
(photo:  The Staunton Way to Chalton village)

The Staunton Way to Chalton village

Red Lion Public House, Chalton

(photo, left:  Red Lion Public House, Chalton)
(Photo, right:  Chalton Church)

Chalton Church

Enter the church yard and follow the footpath signs around the back of the church. At the open field, take the right of the 3 paths heading up to Chalton Down, still the Staunton Way.  (The paths are well defined)  Continue to were it leaves the field near The Foley. Follow the edge of the field around The Foley to a junction of footpaths.
(photo:  Path leading up to Chalton Down)

Path leading up to Chalton Down

  Take the left path, leaving the Staunton Way, to the track leading down to Heberdens.  The footpath has been ‘officially’ redirected at the track.  Turn right then straight left (signposted) and follow the new path down the right side of the field.  The path meets a concrete road adjacent to the railway line.  Turn left, then right under the railway line to meet a metalled road.
(photo:  Idsworth Church in the centre of the distant field)

Idsworth Church in the centre of the distant field

Turn left, then right up to the gate of Idsworth Church.  Go left outside the fence and follow the path to the stile. Cross the stile and follow the edge of the field to another stile. Cross over the road and into the opposite field.  Follow the path north on the left side of the field to join Huckswood Lane track near an old chalk quarry.
(photo:  Idsworth Church)

Idsworth Church

  Turn right, and after Huckswood Copse, left onto a path across a field.  The path follows the right edge of the field until just left of diagonally opposite.  The path is then signposted along a farm track, continue until where it meets the track to Lady Holt.   Turn left and at Lady Holt, right to follow the path down into the woods of adjoining West Harting Down.
(photo:  View across West Harting Down from near Lady Holt)

View across West Harting Down from near Lady Holt

At the bottom, continue north on the wide forest track.  When the track bears right, follow the path straight on (finger posted) to the fence.  Turn left and follow the path up a steep hill, then at the top right to join a track.  Turn left to the road at Ditcham Park School, right and after a couple of hundred yards, join the footpath left.
(photo:  Looking down into Downley Bottom near Ditcham Park School)

Looking down into Downley Bottom near Ditcham Park School

Follow the path to a track in Oakham Bottom wood.  Turn right up the track, then join the footpath left off the track.  This path soon crosses over another track and descends through the wood.  Pass through a gate near the bottom, and continue to join a metalled road which is part of the South Downs Way.  At the road turn right, then at a bend go left onto a track into the woods.  A sign post indicates to Buriton.

Follow the track along and down through the Milky Way (Yes, that’s its name!) to fields at the bottom.  Turn left over the stile, continue through the fields over other stiles, and finally right at Buriton Church to the car park.

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