Overton take a picnic
A short history of Overton
Overton is a large village and parish in Hampshire, located west of the town of Basingstoke and east of Whitchurch.
The village contains many smaller hamlets: Southington, Northington, Ashe, Polhampton and Quidhampton. The River Test rises about a mile east of Overton at Ashe. The River Test is a chalk stream world-famous for its trout fishing. It is generally regarded as the birthplace of modern fly fishing.
Key
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- Route
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- Temporarily closed
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- Restricted use
Directions
This walk may be impassable during and after winter, if so use road alternative.
Exit the car park through the playing fields, bearing right. Cross Overton Hill Road and go uphill towards Berrydown Sports Ground. At the top, turn left following the footpath sign and walk ¼ mile underneath a row of overhead lines.
At the end of the field, turn right along the field edge and continue across the field exiting on to a road through a gap in the hedge. Beware of traffic as you cross the road (Straight Lane). Go into the field and continue in the same direction as before, until you reach an area of young trees. Go downhill. Bear left and follow the field boundary for about 50 yards.
Turn right along the track. There are narrow footbridges to the left, which ford the Test when in flood. If impassable, use road alternative (see below).
At the end of this track, turn left onto the road. After about ¼ mile, pass Ogmore House and take the right of way on the right before the next house. Follow this hedge-lined green lane and pass under the railway. After passing under the railway, take the steps on your left.
Enter David’s Wood (a small, fenced plantation of trees) via a gate then find a bench for your picnic or continue straight ahead and leave by the gate at the far end to emerge onto a lane. Turn left and follow the lane. Turn left at the T-junction, cross the road and continue downhill past Station Approach and Quidhampton Farm on the right.
Just after the fire station, take the footpath left up Lambs Close. Turn right opposite the garage block when the car park will be in sight.
Alternative road route
Return to Straight Lane and turn right, heading north. At T-junction, go right. After a large cottage on the left, go left along the hedge-lined green lane and continue the route as described above.