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Rufus Stone
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The
Purkis Walk. The Rufus Stone to Winchester |
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THE
PURKIS WALK - STAGE 2.
| WITTENSFORD -
ROMSEY |
Long distance footpath on route:
Test Way |
| Distance from
Wittensford Bridge. |
B3079 at the MINSTEAD / BRAMSHAW
parish boundary. |
284137 |
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The first 1. 75 miles are on
quiet country lanes to the Newbridge road. |
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Take the minor road to the north
of the B3079 and over a ford. |
E>NE |
| 0.45 miles |
At the first road junction fork
right to pass Springer's Farm on your left.  |
E>SE |
| 0.75 miles |
At the next junction fork left,
maybe buying the ducks' eggs, on your left. |
SE>NE |
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Pass through Cadnam Green,
heading toward Furzley Road. |
NNE>N |
| 1.6 miles |
At the junction with Furzley
Road, turn right over the cattle grid. |
E |
| 1.7 miles |
At the junction with Newbridge
Road, turn right towards telephone kiosk |
S |
| 1.75 miles |
Newbridge telephone kiosk - 1
hour 15 minutes walking from start. |
298152 |
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The next 1. 85 miles to the
M27 footbridge are on well marked footpaths. |
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| 1.8 miles |
100 yards past kiosk, opposite
house, go up steps at footpath sign. |
ENE |
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Past the line of oaks, go over
a,stile and into a pine wood. |
E>ESE |
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Emerge from the pine wood over a
stile, cross the gravel road and follow the footpath sign half right to the far side of
the wood. |
ESE >SE |
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Now turn left along a broad
grassy way as far as another gravel road. |
NE |
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The gravel road leads (right) to
the footbridge over the M27 to the A31 |
SE |
| 3.45 miles |
Beware traffic! Cross the A31
with caution & turn right to the Scout Hut. |
SW |
| 3.5 miles |
Scout-hut on A31 at Copythorne.
Stop and have a drink - 2 hours
walking from start. |
306147 |
| Distance from Scout
Hut at Copythorne. |
Scout-hut on A31 at
Copythorne. |
306147 |
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Head back along the A31 for 0.45
mile to Barrow Hill Road on right |
NE |
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Walk along Barrow Hill Road for
0.4 mile to where it turns hard right |
E |
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Take right-hand of 3 footpaths
over stile and walk 0.35 mile to next road |
E >ENE |
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Cross Whitemoor Road for
footpath straight ahead to A36 - 0.6 miles |
ENE |
| 1.8 miles |
A36 at Loperwood Lane - cross
very carefully |
329158 |
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We now pick up Wade Bridge
Drove almost as far as Wade Bridge |
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| 1.8 miles |
Beware traffic! Cross Loperwood Road and go right to roundabout
road sign
then immediately left to bridleway to pass cottages and through gate. |
NE>E >N>NE |
| 3.1 miles |
1.1 miles along bridleway under
A326/M27 is road down to Wade Bridge. On passing through underpass beneath A326 turn left.
As you approach the end of bridleway the path rises to end by Wade Hill House
where
you join minor road - turn left downhill towards Wade Bridge |
NE>N |
| 3.1 miles |
Arrive Wade Bridge - On Test Way long distance path |
343169 |
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Stop and have a drink - 3 hours 35 minutes walking from start |
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| Distance from Wade
Bridge. |
Wade Bridge - On Test Way long distance path |
343169 |
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For Romsey,
follow the Test Way. Obey instructions and waymarks if not hidden by nettles. When in
doubt, take the path straight ahead. You will have a stream on your left for the first 1.9
miles |
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From the Wade bridge
head North some 150 yards. Where the road bears left join the Test Way path over a stile
on the right for a 2.2 mile walk to the A31. |
N |
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Over the stile turn
left and keep to the left side of the fields. The Test Way is marked by occasional
coloured arrows pointing your direction.
In the picture shown, do not cross the little wooden bridge, go
slightly right and proceed forward by the side of the field.
As you keep straight on, after a while you may well be able to see
Broadlands, the home of the Earl of Mountbatten.
Sometimes the crops in the field block the view. |
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On reaching A31 turn
right on the pavement going slightly downhill towards the bridge over the River Test. Just
before reaching the bridge is a gravel path which takes you 100 yards down to Sadlers Mill
- a calm spot to sit for a few moments before heading into Romsey. Then return to the
bridge and cross, keeping to the left pavement which becomes Middlebridge Street, forking
away from the main road and takes you to the Three Tuns. |
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| 2.3 miles |
Beware A31 traffic
as you cross the road heading for the
Three Tuns public house. |
NE |
| 2.8 miles |
Romsey - the Three
Tuns. Beyond the Three Tuns continue
towards the centre of Romsey. Keep straight ahead as Middlebridge Street leads into Bell
Street. On Bell Street, approximately 30 yards before reaching the Romsey Roundabout is a
plaque commemorating Purkis' journey with the King's body along that road. The
plaque is shown here as a thumbnail, click on it to see a larger picture. 
5 hours
walking from start. |
352208 |
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