Day 9: Andover to Winchester
The morning walk climbs up south of Andover, goes under the A303 and heads south through ancient Harewood Forest, before joining the Test Way and descending into the picturesque village of Wherwell. Wherwell church is close to what remains of Wherwell Abbey (on private land). The walk traverses the wide valley of the River Test via Chilbolton Cow Common, an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) to the pub. Chilbolton Church has an unusual millennium sculpture of Christ. The afternoon walk leaves the Test Way and climbs steadily past the Radio Telescope on Chilbolton Down, with fine views back, and along a Drove Road via pretty villages of Crawley and Sparsholt, through wide undulating fields and woodland. The walk approaches Winchester on a narrow lane, through the suburbs of Winchester and to the City centre. This is a long walk, but easy underfoot and with one stile.
Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 9
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Andover
Ready to depart, at The Bridge, Andover Aidan Simons
The Methodist church where we stayed last night. Aidan Simons
The Bridge, our other accommodation Aidan Simons
The John Russell Fox pub where we took John Russell for a drink last night John Chenery
The original doorway to the parish church, moved 250m to this location in the early 19th century Aidan Simons
The parish church of St Marys towers over the town John Chenery
Organist Norman Rimmer at St Mary's Andover gillgodber
Pilgrim cross presentation at St Marys Andover gillgodber
The wonderfully light interior of Andover parish church, where we joined their uplifting 9am Holy Communion service Aidan Simons
And coffee afterwards! Aidan Simons
Millennium window Aidan Simons
Spot the swallow in this modern window, celebrating the parish's link with Africa (the swallow migrating there and back) Aidan Simons
Leaving the town Aidan Simons
Crikey, a hill!! Aidan Simons
Harewood Forest
Mark and Moira after we passed under the main A303 Aidan Simons
Old and new uses of rural land John Chenery
A pleasant but at times challenging walk through the forest Aidan Simons
Wherwell
Into the pretty village of Wherwell Aidan Simons
Wherwell church, where Sue led the reflection Aidan Simons
Wandering through Harewood Forest gillgodber
Sue with the couple whose story formed the basis of her reflection Aidan Simons
Some of the pilgrims outside Wherwell church Aidan Simons
The river Test Aidan Simons
Chilbolton
Our lunch stop Aidan Simons
Chilbolton Church John Chenery
Altar in Chilbolton Church John Chenery
Millennium Sculpture in Chilbolton Church John Chenery
Chilbolton church Aidan Simons
Window in Chilbolton church Aidan Simons
Chilbolton Aidan Simons
Chilbolton Observatory Aidan Simons
Roadside drinks Aidan Simons
Crawley
Crawley church Aidan Simons
Inside Crawley church Aidan Simons
Hampshire views Aidan Simons
Sparsholt
Near Sparsholt College Aidan Simons
Sparsholt church Aidan Simons
Drinks Stop outside St Stephen, Sparsholt John Chenery
Inside Sparsholt church Aidan Simons
Is this eagle holding a football? John Chenery
Approaching Winchester
Looking towards Farley Mount Aidan Simons
Actually we have only around 35 pilgrims this year John Chenery
