The pretty village of Exton lies in the Meon Valley, on the route of the South Downs Way. To be more precise, it is currently a so-called (and signed) temporary route, since a permanent one across the Meon Valley has yet to be finalised. There have been one or two changes over the years, notably the re-routing of the former bridleway path via Warnford, so you may still see old waymarks as you pass through the village on this walk. Beacon Hill rises above Exton to the northwest, with Old Winchester Hill, crowned by a large Iron Age hillfort, to the east.
[1] In dry conditions, cross the A32 just beyond the parking area and follow the South Downs Way footpath route, which is joined by the bridleway route when you reach the old railway line, and continue along the well-signed National Trail up to the top of Old Winchester Hill at [2].
However, during or after wet weather the footpath at the start, near the River Meon footbridge, is liable to flood. If this is the case, walk along the lane into Exton, bear left along Shoe Lane to pass the Shoe Inn (the River Meon runs past the bottom of the garden, from where there are views of Old Winchester Hill), and turn left again to the A32. Continue along Stocks Lane on the other side to the disused railway track.
[2] This is the ‘temporary’ bridleway route of the South Downs Way, which turns left along the track to become the Meon Valley Trail. You could follow this route if the footpath is flooded, but once you turn off the railway track the (SDW) bridleway just beyond can also be waterlogged in wet weather.
If so, turn right along the track to the first road bridge, climb the steps to the road and turn left to the crossroads. Follow the footpath heading east across fields, crossing a lane and field diagonally left (not as marked on the OS map) towards a large brick building. Turn right along the road, then take the next track on the left and follow this, turning left to join the South Downs Way at a junction. Turn right along it until you reach a gate on your left, which gives access to the Old Winchester Hill National Nature Reserve. The footpath leads you up to the ramparts; at the top, turn sharp left to the trig point and direction/distance indicator.
On a clear day the views – which stretch to the Isle of Wight – are excellent.
[3] Continue westwards across Old Winchester Hill and carry on down the South Downs Way to the junction with the signed Monarch’s Way (If you took the alternative route up Old Winchester Hill, you will be retracing part of your journey here). Turn right and follow the latter, which takes you past Peake Farm (dropping off the road to your left and following the field edge when you reach the private road sign), through a stable yard and then along an access drive opposite to the road, where you turn left to the A32 and Warnford.
[4] On the other side of the A32, continue along the lane opposite and then turn left back to the main road, passing some watercress beds to your left. Turn right at the main road and continue for around 100 yards before taking the next road on the right, passing some more watercress beds on your left. Follow the road up to Wheely Down Farm and turn left just before the Wheely Down Forge, then right up a track. Soon, go through a gate on the right (where the track becomes a private road) and turn left to carry on up the bridleway with the fence on your left (there are no obvious waymark signs at this point). After around 400 yards go through a gate and pass woodland on your right. The path continues across a field and then through woodland to a small car park.
[5] Turn left across the car park and follow the South Downs Way over Beacon Hill back down to Exton, using the footpath/walkers’ route. Turn left when you reach the road at Exton, then left again into Church Road, following it back to the junction with the A32.
(A) Note the new Exton Beacon, erected in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee.