____Schwingis Southampton

Trip that leads through straw roofed villages and the South Downs in a circle around the old city of Winchester.

Starting from Highfield Campus (university) cycle north over the Avenue to Candler's Ford. At the first round about turn west in order to bypass the village on Knightwood Road. After leaving it turn west again onto Hook Road and follow the A3090 till Ampfield (40/23). Heading north Clypit Road brings the first off road experience crossing Ampfield Woods. At the junction with Dores Lane turn right and follow it till Berrydown Farm (40/28). From there a cycle path leads to the top of Farley Mount with a nice view over the surrounding hills. The cycling path follows on trough West Wood and heads north till it reaches the lovely village of Crawley (43/35). Leaving it versus east the road and after New Barn the cycling trail crosses the plain north of Winchester. After Micheldever Wood (53/36) a shortcut leads to the village of New Alresford (58/32) from where the South Downs Way can be reached. The tour still heads east, following the street to Totford (57/38) and from there the Ox Drove till reaching the street to Alresford. After about a kilometer to the south turn left again to pass by north of Armsworth House (61/37) and to get to Upper Wield (63/39). From here the trip bends to the south. Over small roads Rockwood Lane (64/35.5) can be reached that ends in North Street (64.5/33.5). A series of C-roads leads to West Tisted (65/29) from where the Clinkley Road turns West. After crossing Cheriton Wood the trip gets onto the South Downs Way in Cheriton (59/28) and follows it till Cheesfoot Head (53/28). A long down hill on Warren, Honeyman, Stag and Henstig Lane ends at Winchester Road (B 3354). Turning south on it cycle till Fair Oak and use Allington Road to return to Southampton.