Litchfield: St James the Less and Walking Routes

When planning a trip to Litchfield, you can consider the architectural history of St James the Less as well as various walking routes. The church brings together structural elements from the late 12th century with work carried out in 1874–1875. These topics appeal to different interests: historic architecture, and walks where distance, duration or a specific starting point are important for planning.

St James the Less: Building Phases and Structural Elements

A two-bay arcade is visible on the south wall of the nave of St James the Less. It belongs to a south aisle that was demolished and dates from the late 12th century. An arcade is a series of arches; “two-bay” describes its division into two bays. This helps place the arcade within the church’s earlier construction without confusing it with a south aisle that still exists. A bay is the space between two supports.

At St James the Less, the north aisle was rebuilt in 1874–1875; the south porch also dates from those years. Above the west end of the nave is a wooden bell tower with a shingled spire, which also dates from 1874–1875. These building phases concern different structural elements: the aisle, the porch and the spire. Together with the older arcade, they show a contrast in dates between the late 12th century and the work of the 19th century.

The terms describe the structural elements’ locations: the nave is the main part of the church, and an aisle lies alongside it. The porch is a separate structural element; the bell tower is above the west end of the nave. This makes it possible to locate the arcade and later elements in different parts of the building.

Caesars Belt: Circular Walk and Time Frame

Caesars Belt, Litchfield & Dunley is a circular walk along the Portway Roman Road. The route is about five miles long and takes approximately two hours. These estimates answer different planning questions: the distance describes the extent of the route, while the duration gives an approximate time frame. This lets you assess the walk in terms of both its route and the time required. The Portway Roman Road also gives the circular walk a named historic road connection, which may be relevant to travellers interested in Roman roads. A circular route means the walk follows a loop, rather than simply going out and back.

Other Walking Routes

A path leads down to the villages of Litchfield and Dunley. A section of the Wayfarers Walk starts at the underpass beneath the A34, north of Litchfield.

Discover more destinations: Wolverton, Hamble-Le-Rice, Basingstoke, Damerham, Hedge End, Burley, Lee-On-The-Solent, Gosport.

For the wider travel overview: Hampshire.