In the area

Bishop’s Waltham has geological and ecological diversity in a small area due to its location on a spring line where the chalk downlands meet the clay lowlands. There are four local nature reserves, where fenland, chalk meadows and clay pits can all be explored as part of a 7km walk.

There is also a Pubs Walk around Bishop’s Waltham, illustrated in a brochure by the Hampshire County Council, and routes for cyclists and horseriding. But within a short drive is a wealth of history hidden away in nearby towns and villages.

The magnificent flint walls and keep of Portchester Castle, built by the Romans and added to later, are just 20km away, standing at the head of Portsmouth Harbour. Titchfield Abbey, built in the 13th century, is just 12km away and quite spectacular in its vast walled garden.

Scattered throughout the villages are numerous Saxon churches, such as St Mary and All Saints at Droxford, still ringing its bells. A 38km trail of churches in the Meon Valley contrasts the landscapes of rolling chalk hills and river valleys unique to this stretch of England.

The walk links 11 churches, dating from Saxon to Victorian times. (Visitwinchester.co.uk). Much history is contained therein. All owed their protection to the ancient Wessex capital of Winchester, 16km away, with its statue of King Alfred and a magnificent cathedral. But that’s another story.