Many rights of way cross private land, and we ask you to bear this in mind by keeping to the path and being responsible when using them.
Newtown has the densest footpath network of any parish in Hampshire. The descriptions for three circular walks can be accessed from the tabs to the left but there are lots of other routes to be explored.
A printable PDF copy of these walks together with a map may be found here exploring-newtown.
Arbuthnot woods (1.75 miles)
Bordering fields and woodland and using some roads, this walk can be extended by joining some of The Gully walk.
From the Swan Inn take Broad Lane towards Adbury. After about 3/4 mile pass the white cottages on your left and look out for a kissing gate on your right. From here the footpath leads across a field and into Arbuthnot Woods where it can become muddy after wet weather.
Look out for a bridge over a small stream and then follow the path to the corner of a field. Go up the right hand side of the field and past the houses at Jonathon Hill where the path branches off to the right to come out near a pair of thatched cottages. Cross the lane which until 1835 was the Winchester to Oxford road, and the green in front of the cottages and go down a slope to join the road. At the road turn right to return to the Swan.
Alternatively you can cross the road, taking care with traffic coming on your right, and follow the footpath sign until you join The Gully Walk which you can follow or you can divert by going straight ahead at the end of the uphill path and so to the B4640. Go right and return direct to the Swan using roadside footways or follow the route taken by the rabbits in Richard Adams book “Watership Down” by diverting through the churchyard gate on your right, about 150 yards before the Swan.
The Gully (1.5 miles)
This walk explores the western side of Newtown Common and includes both heathland and a woodland walk.
From the car park on the corner of Jonathon Hill cross the road and follow the path for 150 yards or so and take the right fork leading downhill towards the gully, this part can be slippery in wet weather. In spring there is a large area of Yellow Skunk Cabbage which you may both see and smell. After crossing a small stream, follow the path through woods, turning right when you reach a gate marked “Private”; just before this you may notice the rare Purple Toothwort on your left. You should soon reach kissing gates on either side of a small field.
After the second set of kissing gates bear left at the end of an uphill, sunken path, passing cottages on your left. Follow the path though woodland, across heathland and a narrow, tarmac lane until you reach Sheepwash, an unmade up road. Turn left and follow this downhill and over a footbridge by a ford. Follow this road as it climbs until you see a footpath branching off left just short of the brow of the hill and the Newtown to Burghclere road. Follow the path through mixed woodland, past occasional houses on your left, until you emerge on the corner opposite Jonathan Hill.
Heathland and Herbert (1.75 miles)
This walk crosses the main heathland area of Newtown Common and then goes through the Herbert Plantation, a mixed woodland of oak, birch, alder and pine. Amongst the 35 species of plants usually associated with “ancient” woodlands in the Herbert Plantation you may find Common Solomon’s-seal, Wood Sorrel, Wild Daffodil, Primrose and Wood Spurge.
Starting from the Jonathan Hill car park, head straight along the well used green track, parallel with the road, leading to the extensive, open heathland part of Newtown Common. Go straight across the tarmac road, Adbury Holt, and continue along the side of gardens of properties on your left (crossing Burghclere Common) after which you veer left to enter the Herbert Plantation through a staggered barrier. Visitors to the plantation are particularly reminded to keep to the paths, keep dogs under effective control and avoid leaving any litter. Follow the path for a short distance until you arrive at crossroads with a handy seat. Take the straight path to the left and follow it until you come to a junction where you take the right hand path down through the woods. Staying with this path and maintaining the same general direction, a stream should soon appear on our right. Carry on until the kissing gates with a sign about the Herbert Plantation and a rough track, which is the other end of Adbury Holt. Go left up the track and shortly after a house on your left, take the path which appears on our right and you rejoin Newtown Common. Following this path you shortly pass under overhead power lines and then go down to a small gulley, which can flood sometimes, continue up the other side in the same direction you will very soon arrive at your starting point at Jonathan Hill.