Sopley to Christchurch

Sopley to Christchurch (3.5 Miles)

Having walked from Ringwood thus far, it is better to continue straight on to this section if possible. However it may be possible to park a car in the lane leading to the Church or ask permission to leave it in the Car Park of the ‘Woolpack’ (GR. 157968)

The rather in frequent bus (service 105/115) between Christchurch and Ringwood goes through Sopley but does NOT run on Sundays or bank Holidays.

The Route

By the corner of the ‘Woolpack’ public house, cross the road towards a driveway between brick pillars, beside a house with a curved frontage. (Ignore a notice directing people to Morelands Christian College.) Go along this drive and within 100 yards enter a kissing gate on the left, walk parallel to the drive initially then turn left and over a stile into a field. Turn right and follow round the edge of the field. Just past a large house cross a stile on the right and bear slightly left across fields via three more stiles to a minor road.

At the road, turn right and continue to reach a busy road with The Lamb Inn opposite. Cross over and take a narrow road to the left of the Inn. In about 30 to 40 yards the road crosses a stream and there is our path on the right (way marked). Continue along this narrow path for about half a mile to reach the road near Burton Hall. Cross the road, turn left and walk along the pavement in front of this large building. Pass Burton Hall Close; after several houses there is a path leading right into the housing estate with a thatched house on the left.

A finger post points the way. At the end of the first group of houses (on the right), when a road is reached, turn left for about 10 yards and then right into another grassy path behind houses. Immediately before the next road, a path bears off on the left. Continue along this with a thatched house on the left and in about 20 yards turn right through a gap in the railings. Cross the next road and continue ahead by another grassy area with children’s swings on the right. Follow the tarmac path, cross the next road and continue ahead with another play area on the left. The track crosses a stream and continues down to the main road coming from the Christchurch bypass.

At the road turn left, passing a telephone box, and in about 20 yards cross the road and turn right by a fingerpost, cross two stiles and head for a small bridge over a wet area. Bear half left (due south) across the water meadows with a trig point well over to the right.

It is important to head in the right direction, as there are several plank bridges to be crossed before the Avon River comes into view again. Here the riverside path is raised so turn left and follow this.

Shortly after crossing a stile, take a narrow path across the water meadows towards the Waterworks (head in the general direction of the white bridge).

A way marked kissing gate leads onto the causeway towards the pumping house. At this building, turn right and cross the bridge. Then, immediately turn left to find a narrow footpath between a temporary office building and the field boundary alongside the river. Presently we rejoin the Avon properly on the left. This now becomes a pleasant grassy walk. The path goes under a railway bridge, the behind houses to lead out into a cul-de-sac with several delightful cottages along it. Turn right and walk down the main road into Christchurch.

Here turn left, walk along busy pavements towards a large roundabout. A pedestrian underpass leads to the High Street opposite. Go straight ahead, past the shops, to reach Christchurch Priory.

The bus back to Ringwood (service 105/115), via Sopley, stops outside the Old Town Hall which is half way along the high Street on the left hand side as you approach the Priory.

NB. There are NO buses between Christchurch and Ringwood on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

To download a Text File containing instructions and directions of this walk, just 'right click' on the icon opposite and select 'Save Target As...'