Chilton Candover
On this walk, children will enjoy a treat from The Yard and then a spooky exploration of the crypt - if they dare!
The Crypt under the remains of St. Nicholas’ Church
The Basics
Time: 1 hr 10 mins
Distance: 4.2 km / 2.6 miles
Terrain: Farm tracks, field paths, quiet country lane, one short section on a road with no pavement, potential to be muddy in winter.
Pushchair: We don’t think the field paths are suitable terrain for a pushchair.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on the walk and at the café, but must be on leads through farmland.
Refreshments: The Yard selling hot drinks, light lunches, brunch, ice-creams and cakes inside and outside.
Toilets: There are toilets for customers of The Yard.
Public Transport: Cresta Coaches Route 41 between New Alresford and Basingstoke, alight at Dundridge Lane and walk a couple of minutes to The Yard.
Parking: The Yard, Chilton Manor Farm has a free car park providing you are going to purchase something in the café. Please note there is no other parking for this walk. (Postcode: SO24 9TX - W3W: ///zoom.spend.invoices)
Heading up to the churchyard where St. Nicholas Church once stood
Tucked away at the end of this pleasant walk in The Candover Valley is a rather beautiful churchyard with a somewhat creepy crypt. It makes an interesting place to investigate and The Yard, just next door, will warm your soul after your visit with its range of coffee and cakes - and even a sauna!
The Route
In the car park, you will see a sign directing you to the footpath. Follow the farm track as it goes up hill and past the large barn on your left that is the grain drier.
At the brow of the hill, where the path levels off, turn right along the field track. Continue forward across the top of the field until the end of the track, where you should veer left under the trees into the next field. Proceed in the same general direction as before with the hedge to your right. At the corner of this field, turn left and walk down the field edge, still with the hedge to your right. Pass through the wide opening ahead of you at the bottom of the field and then turn left in the next field, following the footpath with the hedge now to your left.
Ignore the steep farm track that you will see to your left, unless you want a shortcut back to The Yard. Instead, proceed until a footpath crosses the track. Turn left here onto the tree covered path and walk through Dundridge Copse. As you approach Chilton Manor Lodge, the trees thin out and the path turns into a tarmac lane. Continue until you get to the B3046.
Turn left and walk along the road. There is a grass verge for much of the way, but be aware that you will be close to traffic so you may not find this section suitable for young children. Continue until you see the turning on your left into The Yard that you would have driven up earlier.
When you have enjoyed your refreshments from The Yard, look out for the large gate along one side of the old farm yard, signed to The Park (a paddock with picnic tables). Through here, you will see a grassy path leading up to a white gate in the wall. Inside is the old graveyard of St Nicholas’ Church. All that remains of the church is the foundations, and beneath those you will find the crypt, which you are free to go inside.
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Did you know?
All that remains of the church at Chilton Candover is the Norman Crypt. The church was pulled down in 1875 and the crypt sealed and forgotten until its rediscovery in 1929. A service is conducted here once a year to maintain its consecrated status.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this one at The Grange in Northington which is also convenient for getting refreshments at The Yard.
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