This is a delightful 2 day walk; it's probably the shortest long distance path we've done.
There's lots of history around, for those so minded; the villages have some charming old houses with thatched rooves, and
there are beautiful forests, fields and rivers.
1. Walking days
This can be a lovely week-end; if you have time, it could be done over 3 days. The total is 24 miles.
This includes a long first day (15 miles). The natural midway point, Broughton, has a B&B and two pubs, but currently (November 2011) they are both shut. (This situation may change.)
If you wanted the more leisurely version, you could take a morning train to Salisbury, walk
for the afternoon to Middle Winterslow (which has a B&B and a lovely pub), have a relaxed second day getting to King's Somborne (spending time exploring the Test valley), and walk to
Winchester on the third day as on Day 2 below.
Timings for us were: Day 1: 3 hours day in the morning; 3 and a half hours in the afternoon;
Day 2: 4 and a half hours.
2. Getting there & away
Train from London (Waterloo) to Salisbury: one and a half hours.
Train back from Winchester: one and a quarter hours.
3. Leaflet, Maps
There is a very useful 'Clarendon Way' PDF leaflet from
Hampshire County Council.
Ordnance Survey maps 184 & 185; both necessary.
4. The Route
Previous night: The Cathedral Hotel, 7-9 Milford St, Salisbury, SP1 2AJ. (double: £75)
cathedralhotelsalisbury.co.uk (Tel 01722 343 700)
Day 1: Salisbury Cathedral to King's Somborne (15 miles)
Chilworth House B&B, 5 Camp Field, King's Somborne, SO20 6QB. (£80)
chilworth-house.co.uk (Tel 01794 389 218)
Day 2: King's Sombourne to Winchester Cathedral (9 miles). Not all of the dogs-leg around southern Winchester is worth it; so we
recommend cutting across to join the river at St Cross Hospital, and then enjoying the water meadow pleasures there.
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