Benfar one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

This route starts in the center of Bentley, the train station is roughly a mile away if you are thinking of a circular walk using the train.
Navigating the first section out of Bentley is a little tricky as not all the footpaths are marked and the route is slightly convoluted around the edge of fields until you pick up the St.Swithun's Way. After that the way-marking is good.
I walked this route at the end of February and although it had been reasonably dry, quite a few sections cross cultivated fields which were muddy and slippery in places. There is also a lot of horse riding in this area and although quite a few sections were marked by Hampshire Countryside signs as being footpaths only (not bridleways) it was obvious that horses regularly use them and the surface was churned up and muddy.
There are stiles and gates as well as one section of steep steps so not a route accessible by all. There are also a few short sections on narrow lanes with no footpath so care required.
On the outskirts of Farnham, where you cross Crondall Lane the route passes through a new housing estate with no obvious footpath signage at the western end although there is a sign at the other end opposite the University buildings.
The route terminates in central Farnham at the bottom of Castle Street and requires a short walk of around half a mile to get to the train station on the other side of the A31.
Overall a varied route, not necessarily the most direct but passing through interesting, undulating countryside being a mix of open fields, woodland and country lanes.

This route has lovely scenery and was easy to follow for most of the way, especially as a large section of it is along St Swithun's Way, which is clearly marked for the most part. The only trouble I had was with the various lanes I was supposed to be walking once I'd arrived in Farnham - these perhaps need to be reviewed (or maybe I'm just terrible at map-reading!).

I live locally and I took this route on Friday 7th May 2021.
It was a nice sunny day and the ground was dry.
From the Slowways criteria:
1) The route is fairly safe. There are a few sections on unpaved lanes.
2) The route respects local codes and laws.
3) It is accessible in that it is not a strenuous walk. There are stiles, gates and steps along the way.
4) The route is reasonably direct (and far enough away from the A31!).
5) It is mostly off road but there are a couple of short stretches of road without pavement.
6) There are no resting places along the way.
7) There are busses and trains at Farnham and Bentley.
8) The route is fairly clear but there are a couple of junctions where I would have taken the wrong direction without GPS.
9) The walk is enjoyable and varied, passing through woods, fields and farm land.
10) The paths are all well established. Part of the route is on Saint Swithuns Way which runs from Farnham to Winchester.

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