East Meon circular walk

A picturesque village and rolling green hills

A mix of grass and uneven ground –lots of stiles. Two short, steep sections.

Getting here

By bus: Regular services from Petersfield and Winchester, visit traveline.info/se.

By rail: The nearest train station is Petersfield, visit nationalrail.co.uk.

Points of interest

East Meon

The picturesque village of East Meon, once owned by the Bishops of Winchester, is home to many historic buildings including the Old Court House. There are a couple of pubs offering delicious local food and a village shop for essentials. The walks in this leaflet start at the imposing Norman church of All Saints with its magnificent spire which was added in 1230. Pop inside the church to see its beautiful, medieval font.

River Meon

Filtered by the chalk of the South Downs, the crystal clear waters of the River Meon flow for 21 miles down to the Solent. At South Farm you’ll see one of the sources of this beautiful river known as ‘the Swift one’. Providing a rare and precious habitat for
an array of species, you might be lucky enough to spot otter and kingfisher. The river supports a good population of fish too such as wild trout, minnows and brook lamprey.

South Downs Way

Stretching the entire length of the South Downs National Park, this 100m national trail runs from the historic city of Winchester to the white cliffs of Beachy Head at Eastbourne. The section of this trail in these walks gives you stunning views out over
the quintessential English, rolling countryside.

The Meon Valley Partnership (MVP)

The Meon Valley Partnership (MVP) was created in 2008 to help improve the condition of the River Meon. Working with volunteers and local people the MVP have been part of a number of projects including re-introducing water voles in the
Meon Valley. Recorded as locally extinct in 2003 they are now thriving and have been
recorded at 30 locations along the River Meon from source to sea, including at East Meon.

The partnership have also been involved in naturalising the river by narrowing it to
create pools and flow deflectors to generate places for fish to hide from predators and keep the river cool. Plants have been added to the riverbanks to increase biodiversity, attracting insects, birds and small mammals. Examples of this can be seen through the centre of East Meon village.

www.meonvalleypartnership.org.uk

Directions

1. Head south from the church then turn left following the river through the High Street. Just beyond the Izaac Walton pub turn sharp left onto a footpath between two cottages and then right before the gate. Continue past the allotments to re-join the river at Frogmore.
2. When the river disappears under a lane, continue down the road to the “Bottle Ale Cottages”. Opposite the cottages cross the stile onto a footpath.
3. Follow the footpath, keeping left at two further footpath junctions until you reach a road. Cross over and continue up a byway to a junction of six paths.
4. Take the second byway on your left, which leads north to the main road. At the road turn right and then left onto the bridleway beside Pidham Cottage.
5. Rise slowly to woods, where a steep climb zig-zags you up the track. Near the top bear left at a junction, then right at the next, taking the path out beside fields. Pass
   under overhead power lines to the next junction. Turn left as this track rises alongside a hedgerow. At the top of the down follow the farm track all the way to the road at Park Farm cottages.
6. Take the footpath opposite, leading south across Park Hill. Enjoy the splendid views over East Meon and its church then descend sharply down to the church cemetery to complete your circuit.