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Walking & Cycling

Bishop’s Waltham boasts a particularly beautiful rural setting with nearby countryside that is very accessible to visitors both on foot and by bike.

Photo: SDNPA

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If you enjoying walking, why not download our three publications:

 

Exploring Bishop’s Waltham 
This leaflet describes each of the walking routes mentioned below in detail with an accompanying map.

 

Pub Walks around Bishop’s Waltham

This leaflet describes 3 walks from the town centre to pubs on the border with neighbouring parishes.

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Nature Reserves of Bishop's Waltham

This leaflet describes the 3 local nature reserves, each very different, and each included within a 7k walk.

If you’d rather pick up a hard copy you can find them in the Library, the Post Office and other High Street outlets.

Nature Walk

3 miles; 1½ hours; no stiles

This popular nature walk traces an undulating route that includes some steep steps.

 

Information boards along the way make this route as interesting as it is enjoyable. Setting out at Basingwell Street Car Park, the walk takes in the sand boils at the source of the Hamble, local nature reserves, plus meadows and woodland.

Country Walk

5 miles; 2 hours; 7 stiles

A rolling countryside trail which allows you to explore the north east of Bishop’s Waltham. From Basingwell Street Car Park, head north up St Peter’s Street and through the churchyard.

 

The walk follows clear tracks for most of the way and takes you across Dundridge Meadow, through woodland and fields.

Heritage Walk

4 miles; 2 hours; 16 stiles

This circular walk takes in the history around Newtown to the west of Bishop’s Waltham. It is relatively level but can be muddy in winter. Beginning at Station Roundabout and following the railway path through the level crossing gates, the walk proceeds to follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims who travelled along the medieval route from Winchester to worship St Michael in Normandy.

 

Other highlights along the way include Tangier Lane, named after the port of Tangier, part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza who passed this way from Portugal to marry King Charles II in 1662; Park Lug, a boundary of the medieval deer park; the short section of Roman Road that ran from Winchester to Portchester; and Claylands Local Nature Reserve with clay pits dating from Roman times and its brickworks that was established in 1802.

© Tony Kippenberger

Cycling

The countryside around Bishop’s Waltham is a well-known hotspot for serious cyclists and leisure-seekers alike, and bike racks throughout the town allow you to come back and enjoy some well-earned refreshments in one of our many eateries.

 

For a 20-mile route, largely off road, download a copy of Cycle ride around Bishop’s Waltham.

 

There are many other road routes of all lengths on the web:

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MapMyRide submitted by individual cyclists

RouteYou submitted by individual cyclists

Cycle Route a forum of tested routes. Free access.

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You can even try “Biking the Bounds” of Bishop’s Waltham

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For more information on Walking and Cycling routes visit the Bishop's Waltham Parish Council website.

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© Paul Carter

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