Looking to expand our repertoire of “walks withing five miles of home”, Mrs Chippy and I recently explored the public footpath through the Cranbury Park estate.
The Chamberlayne family of Cranbury Park once owned much of the land in what is now Eastleigh town centre. The names are preserved in the names of Cranbury and Chamberlayne Roads, and the Chamberlayne Arms pub. I think that Desborough and Nutbeem were something to do with the estate as well, but I forget what.
For logistical reasons, we started our walk at the top of bottom of Boyatt Lane and detoured through the picturesque Allbrook Lakes.
Picking up the footpath that runs parallel to the motorway link road, we re-joined Boyatt Lane at this rather pointless-looking gate. Why use the gate when you can walk around it?
It doesn’t seem that long ago that Boyatt Lane was fully open to traffic; I can remember driving down it a few times. Now the link road underpass is for non-motorised traffic. However, it does have some impressive murals, even if we have to overlook the fact that the railway never (or rarely) carried an Intercity 125.
At the top of Otterbourne Hill, we walked past the reservoir and crossed the motorway bridge into the Cranbury Estate.
We came across what appears to be a ruined church, but it’s a bit of a trick. Yes, it is a ruined church, but not from here. It is part of the remains of Netley Abbey which were moved here in the late 18th century as a folly. That’s the way they had fun back in the 18th century.
On the other side of the park the path takes several twists and turns as it crosses farmland towards Hursley. The public footpath joins the Hursley Road at Ladwell, but I think there is a permissive path that allows pedestrians to avoid the road (at least, there was last time I walked that far). We didn’t walk that far on this occasion but, having covered about 3 ½ miles, stopped at a convenient point for a traditional walker’s refreshment before heading back.
One word of warning – recent weather has made some of the path very wet and muddy. I quite enjoyed it, but Mrs Chippy wasn’t so keen. Wear stout footwear.
A favourite walk of Mr Allison and me, Chippy. We’ll probably see you at Cranbury at some point. (Look out for excitable black collie as Lady loves this walk).
Years since I did that walk and the Cranbury part is enjoyable. We returned via Ladwell Road. This was so unpleasant and dangerous that we decided to retrace our steps if we go that way again. Ladwell is narrow and busy with traffic with no footway.
Meanwhile, my wife is trying to get a new pair of walking shoes. One pair broke on the first outing, the next pair cost twice as much and was not comfortable. There is a shortage.
I agree with your decision to avoid Ladwell Road as a pedestrian – and would think twice about cycling up there too.
Indeed, Chippy and Mike. My lad has used the bus to get to work and even that has to squeeze into the hedge at times when the lorries come through! What chance has a cyclist or pedestrian got?! Would love to see a footpath through from Ladwell as the walk would become a good circular one then.
Although I’ve been to Cranbury Park several times on their open days, I wasn’t aware that any public access is generally allowed. Is there any reference map available to show where is on and off limits? I’m planning a local walk with some friends from outside the area in a few weeks and it would be great to incorporate a wander around Cranbury Park.
The public footpath is shown on OS maps, and also well signposted through the park. As far as I know, there is no general access to the park outside this right of way,