Hike: Nature walk in Bishops Waltham - Hampshire

For the many years I had lived relatively near to this place I had no idea it had such a big nature walk, nor did I know that it was home to the source of the River Hamble! We were visiting a friend and took a walk around the moor and nature reserve, a nice 3 mile circular. As well as going to the see the river source at the Sandboils - called so because on a frosty morning they bubble and steam rises from them (mental note to go back in the winter!); you then take woodland paths and cross fields before ascending up a hill to get some wonderful views across the Hampshire countryside. A whole host of wild flowers adorned this walk and we were greeted by lots of different types of butterflies.

The walk finishes in Bishops Waltham town centre, where there is a lot of independent and boutique shops to look around, my favourite cafe Josies and a host of public houses. In the age of Coronavirus, we ordered a Josies click and collect and ate it in our friends garden. Josies' breakfast pancake stack is a winner with the smalls and I found their breakfast burrito was insanely good after a 3 mile walk. A great morning well spent.

If you want to create a longer day out, there is the palace ruins, which is under English Heritage management, also adjacent to the town centre.

To download this walk, visit https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/walking/bishopswalthamnature