Events and Walk in Titchfield

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• 0. Events in Titchfield Blues at the Abbey each July and Titchfield Carnival on the half term holiday in October are just two of the annual events that set the village apart.
• 1. The Canal walk offers a historic walk by Britain's second only canal and a breath of sea air.
• 2. The Abbey Walk visits the Abbey, Slaughterhouse Row and Titchfield Park. 
• 3. The Mills Walk starts at the Miners Arms and follows a path to the north through the remains of early industrial achievements.
• 4. The Pubs Walk may be taken in one go or spread over a period of time, we hope you enjoy it.
• A Web site called Titchfield.net carries news of the many other events in Titchfield.

0. Events in Titchfield

A special spirit has always attracted vast numbers of revellers to village events. The last Monday in October sees in excess of 30,000 spectators flock to the village to get involved in Titchfield Carnival, an event that has foreshadowed all other events in the area for over 120 years. By midday the Fairground is already in full spin the streets are decorated, the bunting flies and the colourful stalls are ready to give you sticky fingers. There are fancy dress competitions, two processions and a spectacular fireworks display. Bravo for the Titchfield Bonfire Boys Society.

Blues at the Abbey started in 1993. In ten years it has grown into a glitzy rhythm and blues show featuring world-class blues performers attracting a capacity crowd of some 2,000 people. It takes place at Titchfield Abbey on the third Saturday in July, but tickets sell quickly so get them early. A new venture is a Friday night folk music event which started in 2003.

1. The Canal Walk

Park any vehicle at Point 1, the Community Centre and start your walk by turning right into Mill Street. See the former brewery buildings on your left. At the next junction the Wheatsheaf Inn stands on the right corner and opposite is the narrow gap that leads into Titchfield Hill. We take a right and walk up East Street. Today it is essentially residential, but at one time Titchfield was a market town when shops and cottage industries lined most of the streets.

Clarendon House, once one of Titchfield's 14 pubs is the last property before we turn left into High Street, which runs through to the square. Mayburys stands opposite the Parish Rooms topped by a the maze of attics and chimney pots. The Queens Head was an early coaching inn, gone now are the extensive stables to the rear. The square once had a thriving market but the market hall was moved to the Weald and Downland Museum at Singleton. There are a number of large properties in the centre of Titchfield, but most were modest cottages, many tied to a business. The Bugle has a cellar, two main floors and low attics. It was given a more imposing Georgian look by hiding the dormer windows behind a facade.

Walk down Church Street and follow the path to the right of the church which we'll do later. The bridge takes you over the canal at Point 2 sets you on the path for Hill Head. On your right is the canal whilst the River Meon can be seen across the water meadows on your left. Cross Bridge Street by the bowls club and continue through all gates, keeping to the towpath at Point 3. As the canal-side path becomes grassy and hedged there are fine views over the drained estuary of the Meon on the left, now the Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve. You are now close to the original sea lock at the mouth of the canal which has recently been restored. Pass the information board on your right and note the stile on your left at Point 4. Go on and view the tiny harbour, then track back and go over the stile. After a few yards the path bears right beneath trees then continues through reed beds past the sign for the Reserve Visitor Centre. Turn right through a small wooden gate and cross the road to the Meon Shore promenade.

At Point 5 you may need sustenance. You have the choice of continuing to the hill top for a pint at The Osbourne View (from there you have a splendid view over the Solent to the Isle of Wight with Queen Victoria's retreat opposite), taking tea and cakes at the cafe behind the shop opposite or doing the same at the Wildfowl Trust Visitor Centre by the harbour.  After this you turn about and retrace your steps until you reach Bridge Street where you turn left by the bowling club. Further up, the road was straddled by Fielders Brewery and the junction with Coach Hill and South Street is overlooked by The Coach and Horses. We now head down South Street through some of the oldest buildings in the village and at the end turn into Church Street and visit St Peters Church. Built in the 7th century it houses the tomb of the Third Earl of Southampton. Leaving the church you turn right and follow the footpath to return via the Wheatsheaf to the Community Centre.

2. The Abbey Walk

The base point for this walk is [1] Titchfield Community Centre car Park in Mill Street. Walk back into the street and turn left(north), cross the A27 by the [2] light controlled crossing where stands Titchfield Mill which having occupied this site since the 10th century has now become a bass pub. Proceed up the opposite side of the A27 and when you see the school opposite, locate the footpath signed to your right. Negotiate a stile and walk along the edge of a golf course and begin our walk by visiting the barn, which is on your right. It is of classic kingpost construction and well worth a look. A footpath takes you behind the barn and up to [3] the highest point of Titchfield Park. Much of the land between here and Park Gate was developed by Royal Air Force to fly barrage balloons during WWII and later for business park use. There are no features up here to bear out the records of former hunting grounds and  sheep pastures, only some of the names remain, The Chase and Slaughterhouse Row. 

Walk back down the hill, past the barn to the back wall of the Abbey, [4] turn left and follow it to the North. Many of the ancillary buildings have gone and others have been adapted, what is now Abbey Farm was the frater and other domestic buildings. Continuing in the same direction we reach the fish ponds which also provided fresh running water to the abbey. 

Beyond these is Carron Row Farm which formerly belonged to the Wriothesley estate, walk through to [5] where Segensworth Road crosses and turn right. The Southampton railway line runs slightly to the north but although the groundwork was done, Titchfield station never materialised. Walk east down the road to the junction and at the bottom of the hill is ++++++ where Arthur Plantagenate, illegitimate son of Edward IV lived until his death in 1541. The brick and tile works and water mill that once operated in this area have gone without a trace, possibly covered by the railway embankment; we head back south, taking care on this busy narrow road with no pavements.

At point [6] the abbey will now be on your right and you will see the Fisherman's Rest (originally known as the Railway Arms) at the junction with Fishers Hill. This was at one time then main road connecting Titchfield and Fareham, as Funtley Road was little more than a farm track.

This is not the original abbey gate, walk up by the south wall, you will find the bricked up gap opposite the abbey main doors. There are information boards showing the layout of the building. Of course the main body would have been cruciform in shape as depicted in John Harper's picture with the Altar at the Eastern end. 

The alterations to turn the Abbey into a house were extensive. The south wing was removed and the front entrance was driven right through the nave into the cloisters (which was just a lower floor lobby) and the main reception was across the courtyard. When the conversion took place a first floor was added and most of the living was done upstairs. The grandest rooms were the library and dining rooms on the Eastern side, the upper part of the abbey were given to the King's and Queen's chambers and a nursery. Place House was appointed in a fine style with stone pillars, wooden panelling, carvings and fine drapes. To the rear there were extensive buildings which included a farm, stables, fish ponds, possibly an early iron foundry in the village.........

The second dissolution of the building was not all down to decay. It was given a head start by a fire and then deserted by the Delme family when they moved to Fareham. They took much of the materials and any bits they fancied to extend and ingratiate their new abode, Cams Hall.

For many years the focal point of the village, Titchfield Abbey is now owned by English Heritage. It makes an interesting visit and to cast back the mind to when it was quiet and monastic or to imagine the magnificent events that took place when the guests were Charles Dickens or Elizabeth I. Apparently the west wing roof may be restored to support the precarious chimney. 

When you leave the Abbey you have the alternatives of light refreshments at Abbey Garden Centre or perhaps something more substantial at the Fishermans Rest. To complete your walk, head back down Mill Lane to the A27 and [1] the Communitity Centre.

The Abbey before the Dissolution (John Harper)

The inner court created from the former Abbey cloisters (John Harper)

3. The Mills Walk

This circular walk through fields and woodland takes just over one hour, it is best to wear suitable water proof footwear in wet weather.

Funtley was once a hive of industry, dominated at various times by iron manufacture, brick and tile making and a large slaughterhouse, it is now just a quiet village. We start at the Miners ArmsPoint 1 but why is it so called? The first landlord George Feast was also the contractor for the railway tunnel. He imported a gang of Welsh miners to dig it and one of them named it. When the railway came it cut Funtley in half, the narrow humpy bridge is another George Feast construction. Turn right as you leave the pub and branch off the main road to go down Funtley Lane.

You’ll see Richmond Cottage, this was the original pub, turn right immediately beyond it and climb North parallel to the railway line. On your left once stood Funtley Halt which had its own siding on the far side. We are heading towards Knowle, once an important mental hospital, now an important extension to Fareham. Our walk will take us no further north, for we take a left over the railway line. Here the line from the tunnel is joined by the loop that bypassed it. Looking North you can see the vacant right hand arch under the railway bridge, evidence that the dual lines ran parallel before shedding the Knowl sidings. 

The railways around this area need to be understood. Going North from this spot there were three destinations; Swanwick for Southampton, Botley for Eastleigh and Wickham for Alton. The Meon Valley line and the Botley line diverge at Tapnage. In the days of steam even Bishops Waltham had its own branch line slipping off just North of Botley Station.

Now we find ourselves at the road. Point 2 Go left and down hill looking carefully for a footpath on the right to take us plunging West through the woods. Soon we descend in shady trees towards Great Funtley Mill Pond, the right of way goes over a footbridge. The mill Point 3 was immediately on your right with the race crossing just beyond the bridge. Pass across the front of the old house and follow the path. A gate takes you out of the farm yard and then you are just a field away from the road. 

Turn left and head South down towards River Lane which will soon come into view. The mill pond of the former Little Funtley Mill Point 4. is still visible. Records say it was latterly used for fulling cloth, a process which allows the warp and weft in newly woven cloth to expand and bond together. The mill workings may have stood the other side of the road bisected, or even been covered by the lane which was built by George Feast using waste product from the iron mill. Check for the footpath on the right beside the river, it starts before the bridge. Clear path markings and fences take you along the bottom of fields in view of the river. The mill pond is kept further north than it was originally. Walk straight through Solent Nursery and one more field and you will pick up Iron Mill Lane. Turn left and head down to the river.

The iron mill dates from the mid 16th century when brittle cast iron was made, but in 1775 Henry Cort devised his new ‘puddling’ process for manufacturing wrought iron which was suitable for ships and railways. At point 5 You can see the mill pond on the left and the sluice gate that controls the water flow. Still visible is the brickwork for the undershot water wheel tucked closely in to the right; it drove the tilt hammer, rolling mills and the bellows for the furnace. By the stile on the right another stream runs right to left under the road into the pond to maximise the water collection from the fields behind you. Imagine the iron mill in full production, operating probably day and night to take advantage of the water available in the Meon. The glow of the furnace, the heat of the fire, the clanking mill wheel gearing, the thundering 9 cwt tilt hammer crashing down 100 times per minute and bars of iron shooting backwards ad forwards through the rolling mill. It must have been a remarkable sight and probably a considerable scar on the countryside. Your right of way continues across the bridge to the house where Cort’s partner, Jellicoe lived. Quite a contrast in style to the Iron Master’s Cottage where Cort made cosy inhabitance with his wife and their 14 children. 

The footpath passes through Funtley Farm, there is a signed right - left kink in the route which will set you on an upward track on the edge of Point 6 Iron Mill Coppice. Leaving the farm, go over a stile to the top of the hill. When you see houses below you on the left, walk carefully down the bank Point 7, turn right under the bridge and walk by the roadside back to Funtley village. 

On your left is an estate built in the beginning of the 21st century on ground given up by one of the largest slaughter houses in Hampshire. As you walk over the bridge point 8, look towards the tunnel and note that there are now leafy gardens on the left where once a siding to Funtley Brick and Tile Works. Connected by a system of hand propelled trucks, they stretched almost the entire South side of the village centre. The area was known for products made from the distinctive local red clay and were used to build the Albert Hall. We have now completed our walk and you will see the Miners Arms just ahead.

4. The Pubs Walk

Some attempt is made to allow you to compare prices but they are spiralling upwards at the moment and it's difficult to keep up

The Coach and Horses (shown), a Wadworth pub, makes a feature of its good value food and that means it’s well worth a visit. If you wish to take the family out for a treat, this is probably a good choice. Large groups could consider the function room, it has its own bar and access to the garden. Entertainment can be provided and there is a proper English skittles alley. There has never been a big demand for real ale at the bar, so 6X is the only one on tap.

Titchfield Mill (shown) a Bass pub…or is it a pub? The bar is long enough to prop up plenty of drinkers but after they’ve had a few pints of Bass (the only real ale), they,d better not get too sociable or they’d get in the way of the food machine. Still it’s an interesting old building, there has been a mill on this site since the year 654 and you can watch the mighty River Meon flowing through the mill race which has been restored.