Arrive at the car park opposite Droxford Scout Hut and the Junior School situated by the playing fields.

Head slight right out of the car park and spot the ‘Permissive Access Natural England’ footpath sign on the fence post ahead.

Follow the grassy path beyond along the edge of the field edge, with the children’s play ground on your right.

You’ll immediately find yourself escaping into idyllic South Downs National Park countryside, with copses, fields, and the sight of horses grazing off in the distance.

The field edge is well maintained so follow this all the way until you descend towards the end.

At the bottom, ignore the chalk track on your right and make a short climb up to the gate where a path will take you through woodland.

Continue along the path with a barbed wire fence on your right.

You may encounter squirrels and birds who make their home here.

Eventually the trees fade away and the path opens into a hillside.

There are some pleasing views of the hilly terrain that characterise the Meon Valley out in the distance if you look right. 

Carry along the foot of the hill and the next gate will soon come into view.

Follow the edge of the cornfield round as it turns left and continue for five minutes all the way down the path until you reach Hacketts Lane.

Turn left and head upwards along the road, which tracks the Wayfarers Walk route.

Take care here and make sure you are facing any oncoming traffic as you walk.

Although hedgerows are high, there’s a good view of the road to see far ahead, which will give you opportunity to step onto the verge to avoid any motorist heading your direction.

Keep going once you arrive at the crossroads and pass the Corhampton Golf Club sign on your left hand side.

Follow Hacketts Lane for another five minutes until turning right at the footpath sign opposite the golf club entrance.

Head down the grassy field edge pathway between tall hedgerows on the left and a rapeseed field on the right.

Once you reach the corner edge of the first rapeseed field, continue along the perimeter of the second one where the hedgerows continue further on, even though it is a little overgrown here.

Push on through until the perimeter bends to the right.

Here the next field has been mowed neatly and it is much easier to progress.

Continue along with the crops on your right until you reach the gate at the bottom left hand corner.

You will see dramatic views of Old Winchester Hill in the distance, and the village Meonstoke at the bottom of grassy fields below.

Descend through to the next gate, then through the grass until you reach the bus stop beside Warnford Road.

Turn left and head up the road for two minutes before making a right into Meonstoke and The Bucks Head pub for a drink.

Continue up the road, following it as it bends right, pass the sign for Droxford, and head down the picturesque Meonstoke High Street.

This road reveals a charming English village, full of barn houses, cottages and beautifully maintained country houses.

Keep going all the way to the end and follow the sign that indicates Meonstoke Infant School.

Pass by the front of the school with the children’s playground on the right hand side.

A clear and obvious footpath will appear so go straight on with woodland on your left.

Follow it until you arrive upon Chapel Road.

Turn right and follow this as it winds its way round and up.

Opposite Beech Cottage, there is a footpath sign which will take you down a winding footpath through trees.

There has been some woodland clearance work here which has occurred recently.

Press on and follow the path until it returns back under trees (staying left at the sign that says ‘no right of way footpath officially diverted’).

Head up through the next copse for a lovely meander through the woods.

Once you arrive at the end of the track walk down the steps and take care crossing the bend on the B2150 to head down past Brockbridge Cottage.

Follow the quiet country lane through some pretty farmland scenery until you reach a stream.

Follow the path beside the stream which will eventually lead to the sound of water rushing underneath a mill.

The path will ease into Mill Lane, and continue until you reach Droxford village centre.

Cross the road into Park Lane, following the sign pointing to the Junior School, and then head straight up to the car park where you began.

Walk at a glance

Start: Droxford Recreation Ground Car Park, SO32 3QR.

Distance: 7.1 km

Time: 1hr 57 minutes.

Difficulty: Moderate

URL: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/2940384/

Map: OS Explorer OL3 (Meon Valley – Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham)

Toilets: None

Nearest Pub: The Bucks Head

OS Maps App rating: 5 stars

Three tips to navigate with OS Maps App

1. The red triangle on the OS Maps App is your friend. Hold your phone out in front of you like a torch, and if you turn 180 degrees, so will the triangle. That points you in the direction you need to go.

2. Don’t slavishly follow the red line on the route. Remember, in OS Maps App, this line is only a navigational guide. Pay close attention to the pathways (denoted by black dotted lines on the map). In practice these are the markings you’ll need to make your way around on the ground.

3. Keep an eye on the app whenever approaching forks in the route. Use common sense - if a suggested path looks untrodden or in bad condition, then stay on the main one.

Download OS Maps App from the Ordnance Survey shop. Full annual subscription is available for £34.99.