We are the Winchester Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
The 9 mile walk for Thursday January 29th is a figure of eight starting at 10.15 am from the Fox and Goose pub in Greywell, SU718514 on Basingstoke OS144. This is 30 mins from central Winchester using the M3 to J5 (the Hook exit), turn right on the A287 towards Odiham (keep in the right hand lane on the roundabout and exit in the right hand lane), turn immediately right to Greywell (Hook Road) and the pub is on the right hand side after a mile.
The morning is 5.5 miles through the pretty village, then with a boardwalk over the headwaters of the Whitewater River, a water mill, unpaved lanes and footpaths to Mapledurwell then returning via the Eastrop Bridge over the Western Basingstoke canal, and a short section of the disused canal to the tunnel entrance, then over it before dropping down to the pub. The afternoon is 3 miles through another bit of the very pretty village, on deserted but good paths to the canal, back a short distance to King John's castle, then via the mysterious Butter Wood back to the pub. We won't go in too deep. We got lost last time.
You'll have seen all of the village by then. It's very pretty.
The pub has excellent and good value food but a useless, very outdated website. There are bagettes - not on the website menu - and several specials (not just pies!!!). I'll send photos of the lunch and main menus on request. It's possible to order from the menu at the start on the day. A loo is available at the start. The pub needs numbers by Saturday Oct 5th at latest. Though I might be able to change it a bit later, I don't want to push it too far.....
Could be muddy in some places if the rain continues; a pole might then be handy. Much better than expected on the prewalk after a lot of rain. No styles.
You must let the leader know you are coming. We will leave after all known walkers are there.
Car Park of Fox and Goose pub in Greywell
