Ovebas one

Verified Slow Way

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Overton to Basingstoke (Ovebas 1) review.

Note: I walked from Basingstoke to Overton.

The route out of Basingstoke makes good use of parkland to break up the road walking. I echo the advice to use the B3400 underpass near the Milestone Museum.

Once out of Basingstoke there are great views south (Photo 1) while on a footpath below the railway. The Slow Way leaves this for Pack Lane, which looked unappealing (Photo 2).

I took the advice of another reviewer and continued following the railway along the Multi User Route (SU586504). I’m pleased I did so, as it’s an attractive and peaceful alternative (Photo 3).

This detour rejoins the Slow Way at a break point in Oakley: The Barley Mow (Photo 4).

The Slow Way leaves the village by St Leonard’s Church for an excellent walk via fields (Photo 5).

Unfortunately, a short stretch of the busy B3400 has narrow grass verges and tight bends (Photo 6). It is left behind at Deane village for a return to fields (Photo 7).

The source of the River Test can be seen at Ashe (Photo 8).

The route follows the river for a while (Photo 9) and then takes a footpath into Overton.

Shortly after leaving Overton the route reaches the River Test, A this point a short jink to the left is needed to find a wooden bridge hidden amongst the trees. From here the path is easily followed across open country side. The route then joins the busy A3400. The distance is short, but this stretch of road has no pavement and lies on a bend. The route then crosses open fields before joining roads passing through Oakley. The first half mile of road through the village has no pavements but after that it is pavement all the way to Pack Lane. There are no pavements on Pack lane, but there are dog walkers paths in the adjoining fields that can be utilised. The route then passes under the two railway bridges, which lie on a sharp S bend. The path is then followed to West Ham (Fire Station) Roundabout where a choice needs to be made, There is no underpass on the roundabout and if you walk round, only one joining road has a pedestrian crossing. Alternatively the path can be followed up towards the Milestones Museum where one it is possible to double back through the underpass under Churchill Way West. The route can then goes through Morrison’s Supermarket car park and then passes up against the north side of the building. The last part of the route is along suburban footpaths and pavements.

This route has a lot to commend it! I started in Basingstoke and the first third is urban but after that it's all countryside apart from one short section on the road. I had to concentrate to navigate my way out of the town and deviated from the route where I felt there were safer or better alternatives. At the end of George Street I took the path through George V playing fields, which led directly to the underpass under Ringway W next to Wickes. Instead of trying to cross the Fire Station roundabout I took the subway on the right into the Leisure Park and rejoined the route. At Worting the footpath continues around and under the railway arch and there is no need to walk on the road as suggested by the route. Worting is the limit of the urban part of the walk and there are two benches in front of St Thomas' church that are ideal for a drinks break before crossing the B3400 for the track beside the railway. When reaching Pack Lane, I prefer not to go on the road under the railway because of the traffic danger and it is prone to flooding after heavy rain. Instead cross the road and turn right on the multi-use track running alongside the railway. This is well graded and ideal for walking, running and cycling. At Oakley you can cross the railway and continue on a footpath running along the right embankment but it is narrow and cyclists may prefer to stay on the road. Either way will rejoin the main route as it heads to St Leonards church. The footpath goes across the field and ends at the drive to Oakley Hall. There is a short section with no footpath where you need to walk on the grass verge of the B3400 to reach the turn to Deane. The church here also has a bench where I enjoyed my sandwich whilst watching the lambs in the pasture outside the church. At Hyde Hill I enjoyed the beautiful song of skylarks as they ascended higher and higher. At the source of the Test at Ashe a red kite was diving low enough to see its chestnut markings. When I reached the two footbridges on the other side of the field, instead of turning left to Quidhampton I turned right for Polhampton and the station to catch the train back to Basingstoke. There are two fords here but the landowner has built wooden footbridges to keep your feet dry!.

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