A 20s and 30s Ramblers group.
“I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing when one has a motive” - Pride and Prejudice, chapter 7
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, one of the world’s most beloved authors. To celebrate, the Berkshire Walkers will be having a series of walks across the year visiting sites connected with Austen.
This 13-mile circular walk from Alton explores the beautiful countryside where Austen lived in later life while writing her novels. The area also inspired another famous author, the naturalist Rev. Gilbert White.
Advance booking is not required, but if you plan on attending this walk, please indicate this on Meetup if you can (see Website link), so others can see that there will be plenty of people going.
Pace: medium.
Walk details
Leaving Alton behind, the first stage is across wide open fields with expansive views, following the Hangers Way (please note: the name of this footpath is much less sinister than it at first sounds, deriving from an Old English word meaning “wooded hillside”) to the village of East Worldham. From East Worldham the route becomes more wooded as we head south towards Selborne. Selborne is world famous as the home of the pioneering eighteenth century naturalist Rev. Gilbert White, and the subject of his book “The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne”. Because of the connection with White, much of the land around the village is owned by the National Trust, including the Long Lythe, the wooded valley through which we will approach the village. The pub stop will be at the Selborne Arms.
There will be little rest after the pub stop as shortly after setting off again we climb to the top of Selborne Hill, the highest point on the walk. Our route will be slightly eased though by the zig-zag path up the hill, built by Gilbert White and his brother in 1753. After this, it’s time to turn north and head back towards Alton. Passing through woods and fields, we first reach Upper Farringdon. Here the walk enters true Jane Austen country, as the section we will now follow from Upper Farringdon to Chawton was reputedly one of her favourite walks. Entering Chawton past Chawton House and St Nicholas’s Church, we will walk past Jane Austen’s House and then re-enter Alton via the appropriately named Writer’s Way. If there is a long wait for the train, we can head to the Railway Arms pub in Alton.
Travel details
By public transport
Please travel on the 9.18 train from Reading if travelling by train. The walk leader intends to travel on this train - if it is delayed the start of the walk will be as well.
By car
Pay-by-app parking is available at the station. Please note that Reading to Alton is only about 25 miles and the drive takes around 45 minutes in clear traffic.
Dogs
Dogs welcome on this walk, provided they are kept under control at all times and placed on a lead when requested by the walk leader.
Please see our dogs policy on our group website for more details.
Notes
Please see our group website for more information: https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/
