Bramdean Common
Alresford
Children will enjoy hunting down the church hidden inside the woodland of Bramdean Common on this walk.
Church in the Woods, Bramdean Common
The Basics
Time: 1 hour 30 mins
Distance: 6.1 km / 3.8 miles
Terrain: Woodland paths that can be muddy, grassy paths across meadows, a short section on a quiet country lane with a grass verge, one up hill section.
Pushchair: This circular walk is not suitable for pushchairs, however, there are some flat and firm paths around Bramdean Common woodland if you wanted to explore.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk, but should be on leads from 1st March to 31st July to protect ground nesting birds on open access land and they should be on leads through the farm.
Refreshments: Although not on the route, nearby Bramdean has a pub with a good sized garden called The Fox.
Toilets: There are no public toilets on this walk.
Public Transport: There is no public transport to this walk.
Parking: A small, free off-road parking area on Bramdean Common, north of Bramdean at the junction of Wood Lane, Old Park Road and Uncle Bills, opposite the black and white striped signpost (Postcode: SO24 0JH - W3W: ///replenish.organs.gravitate)
Some of the lovely views on this walk
This peaceful country walk will guide you through the woodland of Bramdean Common before following an ancient track towards West Tisted. From there, you can enjoy wide countryside views before returning to the woodland to find a quaint little church hidden inside the trees.
The Route
Begin at the small parking area at the junction of Wood Lane and Old Park Road, at the mid-point north of the A272 and south of the A31. Walk along the grassy path with the road directly to your left. Shortly, you will reach a gravel access track and the entrance to a house called The Stables. Turn left and cross the road. Join the wide grassy path opposite, bearing right and now with the road to your right. You will see a house away to your right down the hill. The grassy path will take you across the open section of Bramdean Common. Ignore the first path on your left and keep going to roughly the middle of the open area where there is a grassy cross path. Turn left and continue up to the road.
Cross the road and enter the woodland opposite by going around the large metal gate. Follow the path into the trees, soon passing a barn to your right. When you reach a mini cross paths, continue straight. Keep straight at the next cross path and again at the next. Ignore a single path going off to your left and then continue straight at another cross path. At the next cross path, where there is a large conifer tree on your right, turn right following the blue bridleway badge. The tree should stand out as being different to most of the trees you have passed so far. Keep left at an old overgrown gate, following the blue arrow.
At the edge of the woodland, go through the old gate straight ahead into a field. Cross the field along the lower left-hand edge and go out the gate on the other side. Turn right and walk up the low sunken track. Near to the top, you will pass an old pit to your right and then some good views will open up. Continue straight into the field and walk along the left-hand edge until you reach the road.
Turn right at the road. This is a quiet country road and there is a flat grass verge the whole way to walk on. Pass Orchard House and then just after the 30 mph sign and the entrance to West Tisted, take the turning on your right.
Pass a number of large agricultural buildings to your left (dogs on leads) and after these, continue straight on the tarmac lane. At St. Cristopher’s continue straight on the gravel track between the two fields. At the end of this byway, you will reach the woodland of Bramdean Common again at a cross path with a picnic bench. Go straight on. Continue straight at a cross path where there is a blue shipping container far to your left.
The path will bring you to the back entrance of The Upper Itchen Benefice Church in the Woods. There is more about the history of the church below. It is an atmospheric little place hidden from the road and without vehicle access. After enjoying the church, return to the path you came in on and then veer right. At three tall trees in a little clearing (one with graffiti on) continue straight with the three trees to your right. At the little cross path, turn left and you will now be able to retrace your steps past the barn to the road and your car.
Gain access to the member's only area of our website where you will find the complete A-Z library of all our PDF files. This includes over 220 self-guided walks ready to print or download, as well as various children's activity sheets. You will also find a digital membership card, giving you access to our current discounts.
Did you know?
The Upper Itchen Benefice Church in the Woods was built in 1883 at the bequest of Reverend Alfred Ceaser Bishop in order that the commoners, gypsy itinerants and charcoal burners who used Bramdean Common would have a place to worship.
His widow Louisa Francis Katharine died in 1893 and her will gave monies to be held in trust to ensure the future preservation of the church.
The current trustees do a grand job in this preservation, with a recent replacement of the bell tower looking splendid in shiny new copper. If you are interested in going inside, Evensong is held on the second and fourth Sunday each month from May to September at 3pm, with a carol service on the second Sunday in December.
If you enjoyed this walk…
..try this one at Bedham, near Petworth. The church is merely a ruin, but its woodland location is equally enchanting.
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