Ackender Bluebell Walk

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Ackender Wood is beautiful place for tranquil walks in easy walking distance of Alton Town Centre. In April and May the woodland floor is carpeted in a sea of bluebells. We recorded this walk at the end of March, before most of the bluebells are out, but we did spot just a few, as well many wood anemones already in flower. The walk starts by the Jubilee Playing Field car park adjacent to Alton Sports Centre. This is about a 30 minute walk from Alton Town Centre, but is also served by number 64 Winchester bus service. Turn left into Chawton Park Road and then walk along the driveway in front of the new housing development on the righthand side. After you pass all the houses, take the path on the right which rises towards the woods.

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Follow the path, ascending 2 short stairways, and pass through the wooden gate into the wood. Follow the rough uneven path until you reach a wide pathway. Turn left and continue through the wood.

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Follow the path along the southern edge of the wood. When we walked the route in late March much of the woodlanf floor was already covered in bluebell leaves, a sure sign of colour to come! After about 0.5 miles the path turns to the right, leading into the centre of the wood.

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Follow the wide avenue between the trees for about 300 yards until you reach a large clearing with 5 wide tracks leading in all directions. Take the track on the extreme right, heading back in the direction of Alton.

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Follow the wide and in places muddy path for about three quaters of a mile, again taking time to observe the capets of bluebells on the woodland floor. Eventually the path starts to descend and you will see the derelict water tower through the trees on the southern side of the wood.

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Take one of the many short narrow tracks on the right heading towards the water tower which cut-across to join the parallel main track converging from the right. Turn right along this track, and pass close by the water tower on your left. Continue for about another 300 yards to return to the path on your left which descends alongside the new houses. Follow this path to retrace your steps to the car park.