It is easy to understand why royalty have been coming to Avington Park for centuries; the setting beside the Itchen is idyllic. This walk provides great views of the house, bridges over the river, a hilltop swing and Hampshire countryside at its finest.

Tucked away in the countryside just north of Alresford is the splendid mansion, The Grange. Resembling a Greek temple and in a picturesque riverside setting, the building is cared for by English Heritage. Visitors are free to come and explore the exterior of the building and can then complete our circular walk.

This is a fantastic family walk that starts from the delightful Georgian town of Alresford, with its independent shops and eateries, before joining the crystal clear river where you will spot one of Hampshire’s most photographed homes.

This walk encircles the National Trust property of Hinton Ampner, which is well worth stopping off at for its house and gardens, before looping through the pretty village of Cheriton where you will find a young River Itchen and a historical battle sight.

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.

This walk is the perfect length for little legs, and there will be no complaining, as the impeccably clear waters of the Itchen will provide them with plenty of river wildlife to observe, and at one point they can even get their toes in the water too.