This month’s walk possibly lacks some of the more stimulating views and variety of many previous outings, but it does offer an extremely walkable circuit which is easy to navigate and suitable for all weather conditions.
The recommended parking is in a layby at the end of Church Lane, Littleton; although there is an alternative that services the church itself (photo 1) approximately 150 metres down the lane on the left hand side. Just behind this park is a Wild Meadow, which is worth a visit at most times of the year.
This walk could be described as a fast, flat 5 and a half miles, which take between 95 and 110 minutes depending on your walking speed.
We begin by heading further on down Church Lane – to and through a gate leading into Littleton Stud (photo 2). This takes us down a good quality semi tarmac road that threads between the immaculate fields serving the stud, as these spread out extensively either side of the path. This continues for almost 700 metres before meeting a gate that opens out onto Andover Road (North), but directly on the left is our desired path which is neatly hidden amongst the trees.
After almost 1 kilometre of progress through this trail we meet and cross the road leading off a roundabout with signs for Littleton and Crawley (photo 3). Once across this road we once again disappear along a similar path to before that is slotted neatly in amongst the trees. There now follows a much extended walk through this tree lined track, with the sounds of the cars moving along the Andover Road just 40 metres away to the right and open fields spreading out to the left. This path continues for approximately 2 kilometres when it eventually breaks into open ground and we meet a semi metalled road that leads to farm buildings and some small business units along our left hand turn.
This path was used in an earlier walk from Crawley ( June 14 copy for the collectors) as we walk Westward for a kilometre towards the farm buildings and then a T junction in the road, where we turn left past New Barn and Old Farmhouse (photo 4), keeping this building on our right.
From here we climb up a slope with the farm track giving a clear view of fields on both sides.
Eventually this track meets a woodland gate and a footpath arrow that leads into an attractive broad leaf wooded stretch. This gives us a further 600 metres of walking along a narrow alley that once again opens out to a farm track and just over to the left, a large barn and outbuildings.
We keep on past these buildings, heading along a good, straight trail that drops gently down hill and meets a road – running left and right. This section is less stimulating than the earlier parts which also begins the home run.
We must turn right along the road towards Littleton for 200 metres up a T junction then left following the signs into the village. This final 500 metres has no designated footpath, so care needs to be taken as we walk back to the waiting car and pass the main entrance to Littleton Stud in our final strides to retrieve our means of transport.
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