On Sunday 23rd March, twenty-five of us met up at Basingstoke railway station for a seven mile walk, mostly following the Basing Trail (a heritage trail published by Hampshire County Council). Outside the station, one of the large brick walls had been decorated with an impressive mural (see photo).
Our route started from outside the railway station, heading south and crossing Eastrop Roundabout, which is large enough for several footpaths, and many large trees in its centre island. Following Eastrop Way and London Road, we entered War Memorial Park, stopping to look at the aviary on our way in and the community orchard on our way out.
Crossing the A30 Ring Road, we then followed a path through woods to the pond at Black Dam Park, where we stopped to watch the Mallards, Moorhens and Coots. After our brief stop, we crossed under the M3 link road, into Crabtree Plantation and up our first (and more-or-less only) hill.
Next, we crossed Basingstoke Common into Old Basing. A walk through this old and picturesque village brought us to Old Basing and Lychpit Recreation Ground, where we stopped for lunch. As well as some useful picnic tables, benches, and a public toilet, the park was equipped for children of all ages.
Several of us made use of the swings and of the outdoor gym equipment. We don't confine ourselves just to walking, you know!
After lunch, we crossed Oliver's Battery earthworks, where once stood a motte and bailey castle. Then over the River Loddon and across Mill Field and Cowdrey's Down to Barton's Mill pub and restaurant. We sat in the pub garden by the river.
Next, we followed the River Loddon as far as Basing House, and then a quiet lane back onto Basingstoke Common. A footpath took us to the Amphitheatre near Basing Lime Pits and then we crossed a peat moor. A series of wooden boardwalks crossed the boggiest parts of the moor, but somehow I managed to lose my footing and slip off the board! One leg went into the wet peat. Yuk! Luckily, no one else came to any harm.
The remainder of the walk was through Eastrop Park, which was now full of families enjoying the outdoors. I was conscious of getting a few strange looks from the general public as I walked through this lovely park with one very muddy leg and dirty hands. Finally, it was a matter of retracing our outward steps back to the railway station. See our route on OS Maps. Some cleaning up was required before I could go home!
Thanks go to Emma and Rob for leading this walk, Rob for the write-up, plus Emma and Ian for photos.
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