Wayfarer's Walk: Droxford to Kilmeston

Between Droxford and Kilmeston the Wayfarer’s Walk explores some of the loveliest and most remote stretches of Hampshire countryside. Here, the route cuts through a landscape characterised by tales of myth and legend and where there are fascinating clues to the distant past. Following a stretch of the Monarch’s Way adds a dash of colour and excitement to the proceedings when you realise you are walking in the tracks of a fugitive king. In places on this section many trees have been felled over the years and the cleared expanses reclaimed for agricultural use.

From the church entrance in Droxford the Wayfarer’s Walk heads west across the A32 into Park Lane. At the first junction go straight over, passing Droxford School on the left. Continue in a westerly direction, following a green lane with pleasant views and then north, trekking along woodland paths close to the greens and fairways of Corhampton Golf Club.

Beyond the B3035 the route passes the buildings of Steynes Farm and St Clair’s Farm. Further north, in the vicinity of Norway spruce and Canadian pines, the walk reaches the strangely named Betty Munday’s Bottom. This entire area is peaceful and remote, one of the least inhabited stretches of the route. Away to the right lies Lomer, the site of a medieval village, which died out thanks to poor harvests and plague in the late-14th-century. A scheduled ancient monument, the original village never fully recovered from such devastation and gradually it disappeared.

On reaching the buildings of Lomer Farm turn left and head north-west, following a track running parallel to the road. This stretch of the trail coincides with the South Downs Way and the Monarch’s Way. The former is one of Britain’s most popular and best-known long-distance trails, running from Winchester to Eastbourne, while the latter follows the escape route of Charles II after he was defeated at the Battle of Worcester in October 1651 - or at least an approximation of the journey. Desperate and on the run, the young Charles fled across England, hotly pursued by Parliamentary forces under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. He travelled through the Cotswolds and over the Mendips into Dorset, then Wiltshire, followed by Hampshire and finally Sussex, where, at Shoreham, near Brighton, he found a ship, which could take him to France.

At Wind Farm the Wayfarer’s Walk crosses the road to head over Kilmeston Down from where there are fine views. Hinton Ampner House, on the next stage of the walk, can just be glimpsed in the far distance. The path through the crops is straight, clear and obvious. Cross several fields and pastures before eventually emerging at the road at Kilmeston. Turn left to reach the village at its southern end.