Oxdrove Way
The Ox Drove itself is part of an old cross-country route on the Downs to the northeast of Winchester called the Lunway, a name recalled in the former Lunways Inn at Itchen Wood. The Ox Drove was once a drove route for cattle.
Promoted as an off-road cycle and horse-riding route, it forms a figure of eight using the Ox Drove, initially heading north and visiting Preston Down, Bradley, Upper Wield, and Old Alresford. At Itchen Down, near Abbotstone, there is a westward loop to Itchen Wood, returning to Itchen Down, the route then passing through Abbotstone to reach the finish.
It is coincident in parts with the Three Castles Path and Wayfarer's Walk.
There is rolling downland, woods and farmland, and with a detour from the route, village facilities at New Alresford or, using a short link on the Three Castles Path, at Itchen Abbas, that also provides links to the Itchen valley routes (Itchen Way, St Swithun's Way, King's Way).
An Oxdrove leaflet may be downloaded free from the link below.
| Path Type: | Paths Marked on OS mapping |
| Waymark: | White arrows with green ox logo |
| Attributes: |
Average Gradients Cycle Route Horse Ride (Multi User) Downland/Wolds |
| Start and Finish: |
SU585361 -
Abbotstone Down, Hampshire
|
You can use the interactive controls to zoom in and out and to move around the map, or click on a path or a marker for more info.(interactive map help)
| OS Landranger | 185 |
| OS Landranger Active | 185 |
| OS Explorer | 32, 144 |
| OS Explorer Active | 32, 144 |
