Section 6 - West Meon Church
to East Meon Church

Introduction

The two Meons, which are about 4 miles apart, are
connected by a minor road which follows beside the
infant River Meon.  Our route takes us along a pavement
beside the road and river for nearly a mile.  Then, on the
outskirts of the village, it turns right up Coombe Lane.  Instead
of following this lane for about 2/3rd mile, it is suggested that we
take a parallel path through Chappett's Copse which is a nature reserve.  A gravelled drive leads to Horsedown Farm, where a forestry track is joined.  On coming out to a field, there are some glorious views.  Eventually, our route joins a footpath which leads to East Meon Church.   Allow 2 hours for this walk of about 4 miles.

Parking

For individual cars, there is limited parking beside West Meon Church (mentioned in Section 5).  If this is full, there is plenty of room in the Village Hall car park which is signposted off the A32 going north out of West Meon village; from here, a footpath takes you back to the Church.

The Walk

Coming out of the Church, turn left through the Churchyard entrance to a road; turn right and follow it down the hill past the Village School.  Turn left beside The Cross into a short one-way street with pretty houses.  Cross over the A32, taking great care, and go down the High Street: Butchers, Post Office, Village Stores, and the "Thomas Lord" pub - together, all capable of satisfying most needs!

Continue along this minor road, keeping to the pavement.  After about 300 yards, you will see an embankment, which carried the former Meon Valley Railway (which we have encountered several times during this series of walks), using a viaduct, over the road - it was demolished in 1955.  Continue along the road, keeping beside the river, and then cross over when the pavement continues on the other side.  You will see "Hall Place" and its grounds on the right, home for many years of a direct descendant of King Edward VII.  The pavement ends near "Home Paddocks", where Thomas Lord lived.  Continue on the verge for about 200 yards to the outskirts of the village.  As the road bends left, Coombe Lane will be seen on the right.

Turn right into Coombe Lane, cross the river, and follow the road uphill.  As the gradient eases, Chappett's Copse is reached on the left, while a narrow valley below on the right leads up to the back of Old Winchester Hill.  Chappett's Copse is a nature reserve owned by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.  When you come to the Trust's notice board on the left, you can either walk along the road for another 500 yards or enter the Reserve. The latter is recommended, especially in the Spring when there are orchids and helliborines.  So, cross the stile, turn right, and follow the track which runs parallel to the road.

At the end of the wide path, turn right for 50 yards and rejoin the road. After 100 yards, as the road bends right, you will see a sign pointing to the Meon Springs Fly Fishery; and, on the left, a gate leading to a gravelled track and a green Horsedown Farm sign which welcomes walkers.  Follow this wide track as it rises slightly, bends left downhill, and then makes a climb to arrive above Horsedown Farm.  Do not go down to the barn but keep straight on, crossing a grassy patch, towards a corrugated iron shed.  Pass it on your left and you have now joined an East Hampshire District Council Countryside Service (yellow arrow) path.  Continue your direction (Eastwards) along this designated path.  Go down to a forestry track and turn right (Footpath finger) along it for about 250 yards.  Where it bends right, fork left (indicated) down a grass path.

Climb over a stile into a field and turn right.  Stop to admire the glorious views - this is what you've come for!  The path continues down the field keeping to the hedge; over another stile and down a steep hill.  Over yet another stile and so into Halnaker Lane; turn left.  Pass some cottages and come out on to a road; left.  This road crosses a bridge beside the River Meon near Drayton Cottage.  Cross over the road and, after about 120 yards, turn right (Footpath finger) just before Drayton Farm.

The signed path goes through fields and over stiles, and there are lovely views.  Follow beside the hedge of a fine house with a beautiful garden.  Over a stile into a lane and turn right.  After only 20 yards, turn left (following the yellow footpath arrow) into part of the drive beside a house called Chalk Dell.  Go up the short track to the right.

Over a stile into a field and bear slightly left towards a cattle track; but, going down a dip by a corner of a wood, climb over a stile (last one!) and take the signed path.  This goes beside fences which form the back of several gardens and leads to the Churchyard of East Meon Church.

Section 6: 4 miles (6 kms) takes about 2 hours

(All Saints Church, one of the finest in Hampshire, lies in a beautiful and impressive setting.  It is 12th C in origin and contains one of England's treasures in its truly spectacular font.  There is an excellent explanatory leaflet in the church.  The church's imposing structure stems from the fact that the Bishops of Winchester were Lords of the Manor and had a summer residence here.  Nearby, and seen easily by looking left from the church, is their superb Court House, built at the end of the 14th C)

For refreshment, there are: The nearby "Olde George", a very good country inn; The "Izaak Walton", just round the corner beside the river (Walton was a renowned trout fisherman, who fished here). The village shop: pass the "George" and turn right.

Parking There is a good free car-park in East Meon by the sports field.  On entering the village from the west, turn right.  There are also signs on the main road by the Church.