Footpaths
The parish is criss-crossed
by footpaths, which Hampshire County Council and the Parish Council have done
their best to preserve with the cooperation of the landowners. A footpath map
may be found in the centre of this booklet (pages 16 to 19) which includes the
path numbers. Paths are also marked on Ordnance Survey Landranger 185 map scale
1:50,000, and more clearly on Ordnance Survey Pathfinder 1223 and Ordnance Survey
Explorer 144 map scale 1:25,000. The paths include part of Hampshire’s
long-distant path, the Test Way, which runs from Combe Gibbet to Totton. In
1995 The Parish Council decided to join the Parish Paths Partnership, in which
the County Council devolves its duty to maintain the paths to the Parish Council,
and gives a grant and advice to help it. The landowner still has the duty to
ensure that paths are not obstructed, that vegetation from the side does not
fall in and that paths are restored within 14 days of ploughing. Landowners
are also liable to maintain stiles and gates. The Parish Council is encouraging
the use of kissing gates wherever possible.
Those using the paths should
observe the Countryside Code, and make sure that they shut gates, do not drop
litter and keep themselves and their dogs on the path. This is particularly
important where stock or game may be disturbed.
Some good walks
- A pleasant circular walk with many stiles.
Start by the shop, and cross the road to join footpath 11 across the Newton.
Walk diagonally across the field to the left to the footbridge over the river
by Longparish House, and continue on the raised footpath across and along
the field to the Upper Mill, over several stiles. At the mill you can turn
left and join the main village road, or turn right and walk along the road
to the Cleeves until you reach the main river. Turn left along footpath 3
over Long Bridge, cross the common and go through a kissing gate to join the
main road by Broadacre. Follow the road back to the field by Longparish House.
Use footpath 8 across the field and back to the shop.
- Start from North Acre and take footpath 32 which
runs through the houses and up over the hill to the north. The extensive view
of the village from the top is the least obstructed by trees. Follow the path
straight over the hill, crossing a field to reach the farm track behind, footpath
47. You can turn right to Tracy’s Dell, and return to North Acre by the
lane and across the field when you rejoin the road, footpath 10. Alternatively,
for a longer walk, turn left on the farm track, and follow it as far as footpath
43 and Sugar Lane, and return to North Acre on the back path, footpath 10.
- From Forton take footpath 76 across Buck Close to the Church, which is part
of the Test Way, walk down the village street and turn left down Sugar Lane.
Follow the footpath which is an extension of Sugar Lane until you reach the
farm track. Turn left and follow the track until you meet the Middleway. Continue
on the road for a short way past Middleton Farm buildings and over the railway
line, then turn left on to footpath 44, the Broadney path, which will take
you back to Forton.