SWC 84: Hook to Winchfield
Train: Take the 10:06AM Alton/Bassingstoke train from London Waterloo, arriving Hook at 11:14. Return trains are at 27 minutes past the hour until 22:27. Buy a day return to Hook.
Difficulty: 3 out of 10 for the main walk; 4 out of 10 for the long walk and 2 out of 10 for the short options.
I always find that this makes for a pleasant winter outing given its sections along the picturesque Basingstoke Canal. The morning also passes the interesting ruins of Odiham Castle. After lunch there are other canal sections, along with other types of scenery, and it is then that the options kick in. Basically the main walk is 12.4 miles but there is a short cut reducing it to 10.1 miles, or a longer loop of 15.1 miles.
Lunch is in the elegant town of Odiham (5.5 miles/9 km) into the main walk. There are a couple of options -- but usually we have visited the up-market Bel & the Dragon (01256-702696).
Tea and stronger stuff can be had at the Winchfield Inn by the station at the end of the walk. In addition, there is also a more rural stop a bit before the end - the Barley Mow -- but please call ahead to confirm Sunday hours.
t=swc.84
2 comments:
At least n=1 on this walk, judging by photos uploaded to the website
N=3 in fact, with 2 pub lunching then cutting short to the train station, and 1 picknicker walking the whole route
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