Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Exton and Old Winchester Hill walk on 17th January 2024

We met up at The Shoe Inn in Exton for our 5.3 mile walk up to Old Winchester Hill and back led by Jay and Lindsay.  It was a dry and cold day that needed us to wrap up well.  Crossing the River Meon in full flow, we headed up Shoe Lane and crossed the Warnford Road onto the South Downs Way following it up onto the disused railway line.  Dropping off the disused onto Pound Lane we took the footpath across the fields onto Stock’s Lane and then up the Mill End Lane track where we picked up the Monarch’s Way climbing up to the Iron Age Fort on Old Winchester Hill.

One of the benches on the Hill gave us our resting place for our coffee break.  Crossing the Hill Fort, a boot emergency first aid was needed, luckily we had the material available to afford the repair.  We descended the hill on the South Downs Way, back onto the disused railway again before retracing our steps back to the Shoe Inn, stopping off to befriend a donkey on the way.  The lunch was excellent and a number of walkers succumbed to home made loaves of bread.

Gathering at The Shoe Inn

Sun trying to break through

Leaders paving the way across the fields

Walk leader divining for paths.

Walking past swathes of old man’s beard.

What about these for a set of antlers?

The happy band at coffee break.

Excellent view from our coffee break.

Climbing up the Old Winchester Hill.

Sun still trying to break through over the hills.

Downhill on the South Downs Way.

First aid on a sole failing boot.

Walking across the Iron Hill Fort.

Lots of Old Man’s Beard

Steaming along the disused railway line.

Ear, Ear little donkey.

Loafing around after lunch.

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