Bishops Waltham to Botley Trackbed Tour

Description

Opened in 1863, closed to passengers in 1933, this line soldiered on with goods traffic until 1962 when final closure came.

Starting at site of Bishops Waltham station, the orientation of the station is speculated upon before hopping on the bike and travelling the first kilometre or so of cyclable track bed. Thereafter, a brief section is bypassed (but admired across a field from a distance) before access to the track is regained on foot close to Bishops Waltham water treatment works.

A delightful stretch of track is then followed close to the Botley road finding a variety of relics along the way until a private section forces a diversion. Next up, a bridge in Calcot Lane is examined and views along a very overgrown track bed in both directions are taken in. Another short hop finds us at a level crossing near Durley Mill, where the site of Durley Mill Halt is speculated upon, before following the track bed towards Wangfield. Another short section is omitted due to heavy growth before encountering another bridge at Wangfield Lane. Shortly after this the track bed is rejoined running on embankment throught a delightful wooded area. As the approach to Botley is made, the track bed becomes far more heavily ballasted and concrete sleepers are seen before the buffers of a siding are found which runs in to Botley station.

Use of a vintage map shows the course of the track in detail.