Steep: Walking Trails and Heritage

Steep offers travellers a range of connections between walking trails, architectural history, and literature. The East Hampshire Hangers and named routes invite planning with the landscape in mind; All Saints Church, the Harrow Inn, and the connection to Edward Thomas add history and culture to this picture. When planning, you can consider whether you would like to focus your stay more on walking, architecture, or literary connections.

Walking Trails and Landscape

The East Hampshire Hangers associated with Steep are part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Shipwrights Way is a 50-mile long-distance walking route for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, connecting the towns and villages of East Hampshire with the surrounding countryside. The section of the Hangers Way from Hawkley to Steep passes through Lutcombe Bottom on its way to Steep. The two route descriptions offer different scales: the Shipwrights Way provides a regional connection, while the Hangers Way is a specifically named section. When planning your walks, you can decide whether you would like to explore the regional route or the section between Hawkley and Steep in more detail.

Churches and Architectural History

All Saints Church is a parish church with parts dating from the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, as well as from 1838 and 1875. Several medieval building phases therefore stand alongside later, precisely dated sections. The churchyard contains the graves of members of Jane Austen’s family. The church thus offers different points of connection to cultural history: its architectural history spans several centuries, and it is linked to Jane Austen’s family.

The Harrow Inn

The Harrow Inn is a roadside inn dating from around the 18th century and is listed as a Grade II building. Inside, a partially preserved timber frame, a smoke hood, an open hearth, and ceiling beams with run-out stops have survived. Its description thus encompasses both an approximate age and specific features of the building. While different building periods are the focus at All Saints Church, the surviving interior features of the Harrow Inn draw attention to another aspect of Steep’s architectural heritage.

Edward Thomas and the Circular Walk

Edward Thomas eventually moved to the village of Steep in Hampshire, where he turned to writing poetry. The memorial stone to Edward Thomas was erected in 1937; at the same time, the hillside was dedicated to his memory. The Edward Thomas Circular Walk starts at Steep Church. Biography, remembrance, and walking offer different ways to explore the subject: you can consider the village’s literary connection as well as the circular walk when planning your trip.

Plan Your Route and Journey

Steep Church is about a 30-minute walk from Petersfield Station via Tilmore Road and the Hangers Way footpath. Limited parking is available on Church Road for the Edward Thomas Circular Walk. The approximate walk from the station and the limited parking options are different considerations for your plans. Check local conditions before setting out; parking availability may change.

Discover more destinations: Waterlooville, Wickham, Sherfield On Loddon, Rockbourne, Bartley, Hambledon, Petersfield, Sarisbury Green

For the wider travel overview: Hampshire.