First post-lockdown Guided Walk 23 August 2020

Join the Watercress Way ChallengeOn Sunday 23 August we were thrilled to do our first Guided walk.It is part 1 of our Challenge Watercress Way a series of 7 walks which will cover the whole of the route.Trustee Kim led a walk of 6 miles investigating Alresford’s secret and not so secret past.She was joined by 4 local walkers and supported by fellow trustee Mike.Kim enthusiastically led the group for an entertaining 3 hour stroll around Alresford.Starting at Alresford Station, the home of The Watercress Line we noted the “Dead letter” drop in the Gents toilet used by the Portland Ring of spies in the 1950s.We then proceeded down the historic Avenue passing the Toll House to New Farm Rd where we paused at the old railway bridge to look at the disused cutting.Then, onward past the Watercress beds which still produce watercress for sale in supermarkets.We then rejoined the route of the old railway passing Sewards Bridge.Our route then took us onto the Droves and back towards the centre along the River Arle passing the newly refurbished Eel House path.We passed local houses and pubs which were the sites of livestock markets.Our last port of call was the churchyard to see the graves of the prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars who lived in Alresford under parole.They were permitted to walk as far as the Toll House on the Avenue for their daily exercise.