Walked 25th April 2025
Start from the car park just below Combe Gibbet and follow the WW signs along the ridge of the hill until the car park at Stubbington Down.
This 21km route includes views of Highclere Castle and Watership Down.
Walked 24th September 2025
Start from the Stubbington Down car park (grid ref: SU 515 565, https://w3w.co/tuned.daisy.swooning). Head back to the entrance onto the road where you will find the continuation of the Wayfarer's Way. Generally this 19km stretch is well signposted with the WW arrows.
Take care at the A30 where the best route across is not clear and the traffic is fast (see photo 15) The M3 has a foot bridge crossing.
We parked a car at each end. Parking at Stubbington Down is easy, Dummer is either street parking or the Village Hall. There is a pub in Dummer but, at the time of writing, it closes in the afternoon.
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The footpath goes diagonally across two crop fields.
In the distance is the 18th Century Oakley Hall. Now a Hotel, the original manor house was rebuilt in 1795. It is said Jane Austin visited it from her parent's house in Steventon.
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When crossing the open field, head for the left of the roof line, where there is a signposted gap in the hedge.
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At Deane we took a little detour to the church, where a sheltered bench gave a lovely sunny spot to eat lunch. The driveway passes in front of Deane House.
Deane House, also known as the main house in Deane Park, is a Grade II-listed property dating to 1786, situated in a 70-acre park west of Basingstoke. The estate has a long history, with its origins tracing back to Domesday and passing through various owners until the Harwood family owned it for a long period. It is significant due to its landscape and its connection to Jane Austen, whose father was the Rector of the local church and whose family lived at Deane before moving to Steventon.
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The A30 crossing in detail.
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In Dummer, just before the pub, don't miss the 19th century well with its tread wheel for winding the bucket up and down.