THE final section of a 50-mile path running through the heart of East Hampshire has been completed.
A joint project between East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), Hampshire County Council, the South Downs National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission, who pooled their resources and expertise to bring about the route, the Shipwrights Way provides a new long-distance path which links villages and towns in East Hampshire through some beautiful countryside.
The name reflects the use of oak grown at Alice Holt Forest for Tudor shipbuilding, linking this site with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, home of the Mary Rose and HMS Victory.
Starting from Bentley railway station, the route passes through Alice Holt Forest, Bordon, Liphook, Liss, Petersfield, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Staunton Country Park, Havant and Hayling Island and continues to Portsmouth via the ferry, finishing at the Historic Dockyard – around 50 miles in all and including seven railway stations.
There are 20 stone sculptures along the way, beautifully carved to show the history or wildlife of each place.
The Shipwrights Way is available for walkers, cyclists and, where possible, horse riders, with as much as possible of the route off-road, using rights of way and permissive paths.
Running along the edge of Longmoor Ranges, this latest section was built with funding from the M3 Local Enterprise Partnership and developer contributions, together with funding and help from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
As well as completing the Shipwrights Way, this new bridleway provides perfect access into the South Downs National Park for residents of Whitehill and Bordon.
It will also provide a link to the nearest railway station, at Liss, while ensuring the continued use of the Longmoor Ranges for training by the MoD.
The Shipwrights Way connects seven railway stations, three country parks and other places of interest and will support the rural economy, the area’s tourism industry, and encourage sustainable transport. It runs in a continuous route through East Hampshire, including a spur to Liphook.
Councillor Ken Carter, EHDC’s representative for the Shipwrights Way, said: “This route will be the only off-road access for cyclists and horse riders leading south from Bordon into the South Downs National Park.
“Not only will people be able to explore and enjoy the countryside, local pubs, shops and tourism businesses will also benefit.”
Andrew Gibson, the county council’s executive member for culture, recreation and countryside, said: “Completing the Shipwrights Way is excellent news.
“The route is already very popular, and this final section will no doubt make it even more attractive to residents and visitors, providing access to some of the county’s most beautiful countryside while boosting the local tourism economy.”
Mark Kemp-Gee, Hampshire county councillor for the Alton Rural ward, added: “This section of the Shipwrights Way represents the last piece in the jigsaw.
“This easy-to-follow, well-marked path will help people discover the many places of beauty and historic interest in the area.”