Meon Springs
East Meon
Children will enjoy stopping for refreshments and seeing the geese and ducks by Whitewool Pond.
Valley views down to Whitewool Farm
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Ambling Path Members get 15% off yurt & shepherd hut stays in 2026 🏕️ Log into the member's area for the exclusive discount code 🏕️
The Basics
Time: Times vary depending on options chosen, but the basic loop is 1 hr 40 mins
Distance: Distances vary depending on options chosen, but the basic loop is 5.6 km / 3.5 miles
Terrain: A steady descent and a very steep ascent, five stiles with dog access, quiet country lanes and one section along a wide, but busy stretch of road. See below for options to avoid the very steep ascent and the busier road.
Pushchairs: None of the options are suitable for pushchairs.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk and at Meon Springs.
Refreshments: Bolly’s Cafe at Meon Springs.
Toilets: There are toilets for customers of Bolly’s Cafe.
Public Transport: There is no public transport to this location.
Parking: Either park at Old Winchester Hill car park on the South Downs Way (donations welcome) or just north of this there is some off road parking at the point where the road forks (Postcode: GU32 1HN - W3W: ///hired.scripted.crouching)
Bolly’s cafe sits beside Whitewool Pond
From the top of the South Downs near Old Winchester Hill, the water of Whitewool Pond glistens in the valley below. Follow the path down to the farm and find a cosy rustic café, fishery, yurts and shepherds huts. Our basic route includes a steep hill and roads that might not suit families, so we have provided an alternative route back, as well as details on how to extend your route to the hill top fort and nature reserve of Old Winchester Hill.
The Route
For the basic route, we park in the small area at the side of the road at the point of the fork between Old Winchester Hill Lane and Hayden Lane. However, you can also park at Old Winchester Hill car park. If you do this, cross the road and turn left, following The South Downs Way (you can keep the hedge between you and the road). After about 300 metres, you will arrive at the fork in the road and parking area described above. The walk begins through the gate on your right, if facing the road fork. There is some information about Meon Springs on the gate and it is signposted The South Downs Way.
The path veers off to the right and makes its way down the field. As you near the bottom of the hill, you will negotiate a series of farm gates that are usually propped open. Bend left with The South Downs Way and then follow the straight farm track to Whitewool Farm.
When you arrive at the farm, clear signage will take you left and then right around the farm buildings. As you cross over the bridge, you will spot Bolly’s Cafe up to your left. There is indoor seating with a log fire and outdoor seating overlooking the fishing pond. We enjoyed luxury hot chocolates and enormous sausage sandwiches. Continue up The South Downs Way, passing Meon Springs car park on your left and then bend to the right to join the lane.
Walk along the lane, passing the entrance to the yurt and shepherd hut village and continue until you reach Coombe, a small gathering of cottages. Bear right at the junction and continue following the lane up the hill.
Keep your eye out on your right for a footpath marker and go through the gate into the set-aside field margin signed The Monarch’s Way. Shortly cross the stile into the main field. Veer left, and follow the path diagonally across the middle of the field. It can sometimes be hard to make out the path depending on ploughing/crops. The field will rise up in the middle before bringing you back down towards another stile*.
Go over the stile and begin the hardest part of this walk - a short, but very steep climb back up. Once you get to the trees at the top, climb the next stile and walk through the copse. Ignore the first stile you see away to your right and continue up through the trees until you almost reach the road. At this point, climb the next stile and then after crossing the tip of the corner of the field, climb the next stile and meet the road.
Turn right at the road. There is no pavement and we know families, as well as adults, may find they are not comfortable walking along this road. It is wide and cars have a good line of sight. It is also popular with walkers and drivers should know to expect walkers, but not all adjust their speed accordingly. If you think this section of the walk will be off-putting, follow the alternative described below.
You will need to walk along the road for approximately ten minutes, before the welcome sight of an opening to your left and the ability to leave the road and join The South Downs Way**. Follow The South Downs Way in the same direction you were walking, but now with a hedge between you and the road. If you parked at the Old Winchester Hill car park, this path will bring you directly back. If you parked further along, you will need to cross the road just before the car park, turn left and then continue along The South Downs Way for another 300 metres.
*at this point, you can follow an alternative route that avoids the very steep climb and the busier road. The disadvantage is that it is shorter, repeats part of the walk, does not neatly connect to our Old Winchester Hill walk and misses a great view. After the stile, rather than climb to the top of the steep hill, turn right and follow the fence line to a gate in the corner. Go through the gate and then walk along the edge of the next field. Pass the row of cottages to your right and some kennels to your left and join the farm track. Follow the track in a straight line back to Whitewool Farm, where you can retrace your steps up the hill.
**if you keep left here along the south downs way, you can follow the path to Old Winchester Hill for fabulous views across The Meon Valley and South Hampshire. Use this guide to see a circular walk that will end at the car park.
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Did you know?
If you hear the sound of gunfire on your walk, don’t panic! Meon Springs hosts clay pigeon shoots, as well as other outdoor pursuits such as fly-fishing, bushcraft and even yoga retreats.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…join it to this one at Old Winchester Hill and make the most of the surrounding views.
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