Best Pub Walks Near Alton: Three Countryside Routes from The Three Horseshoes
Looking for a countryside walk near Alton with a proper pub at the end? The Three Horseshoes in East Worldham is a relaxed starting point or finishing point for three local pub walks, all featured on the Walk Alton website. Surrounded by Hampshire countryside and close to the South Downs, it is a lovely spot for a walk followed by lunch, drinks, coffee, cake or a Sunday roast.
Looking for a countryside walk near Alton with a proper pub at the end?
The Three Horseshoes in East Worldham is a relaxed starting point or finishing point for three local circular walks, all featured on the Walk Alton website. Each route begins and ends at the pub, giving you the chance to enjoy the Hampshire countryside before coming back for food, drinks, coffee, cake or a well-earned Sunday roast.
Set just outside Alton and close to the South Downs, East Worldham is a lovely place to slow down, stretch your legs and enjoy open fields, quiet lanes, woodland paths and village views. Whether you are planning a gentle stroll, a weekend walk with friends or a dog-friendly pub stop, these three routes make The Three Horseshoes a useful base for exploring the local area.
Walk Alton notes that all three walks start and finish at The Three Horseshoes, and that the pub has a car park and welcomes walkers to enjoy refreshments after their route.
Why East Worldham is a great place for a countryside walk
East Worldham sits in beautiful Hampshire countryside, close to Alton, Chawton, Selborne and the South Downs. It is the kind of place where a walk can feel properly rural without being difficult to reach.
From the pub, you can head out through fields, lanes, woodland and historic local paths, then return to a warm welcome. That makes it ideal for relaxed weekend walks, family outings, dog walks and longer countryside routes followed by lunch or drinks.
The Three Horseshoes is also a good choice if different people in your group want different things from the day. Some may want the walk. Others may want lunch, a glass of wine, a pint by the fire, coffee and cake, or a comfortable room for the night. It is a simple way to turn a local walk into a proper day out.
Walk 1: The Three Horseshoes Walk 1
Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: Around 1.5 hours
Grade: Easy
Good for: A shorter countryside walk from the pub
Walk 1 is a circular route from The Three Horseshoes through the countryside around East Worldham. Walk Alton describes it as an easy walk with no stiles, generally firm paths, although it can be muddy in places. The route is 3.1 miles and takes around 1.5 hours.
This is a good option if you want a shorter walk before lunch, a gentle weekend route or a manageable countryside outing with a pub stop at the end.
The route takes in fields, woodland, broad tracks and part of the Hangers Way. It also passes through East Worldham churchyard before returning to the pub, giving you a nice mix of open countryside and village character.
Why we like it:
It is the easiest of the three routes, with a good distance for walkers who want fresh air without making a full day of it. It works well before Sunday lunch, after a morning coffee, or as a simple excuse to get outside and then settle back into the pub.
After the walk:
Come back for lunch, a pint, a glass of wine, coffee and cake, or a spot by the fire if the weather has turned.
Walk 2: East Worldham: The Three Horseshoes Walk 2
Distance: 3.14 miles
Time: Around 2 hours
Grade: Easy
Good for: A slightly longer local route with countryside views
Walk 2 is another circular route from The Three Horseshoes. Walk Alton lists it as 3.14 miles, taking around 2 hours, with one stile and a plank footbridge. The paths are generally firm, but can be muddy in places.
This route heads out from the pub, crosses fields, follows tracks and includes views towards Alton. It also passes near the golf course before looping back towards Clays Lane and Shelley’s Lane, returning to The Three Horseshoes.
Why we like it:
It is still an easy walk, but it gives you a slightly longer outing than Walk 1. It is a good choice if you want a relaxed morning or afternoon walk followed by food and drinks back at the pub.
After the walk:
Book a table and make the most of being back at the pub. If you are walking later in the day, it is a lovely way to build up an appetite for dinner.
Walk 3: East Worldham: The Three Horseshoes Walk 3
Distance: 4.4 miles
Time: Around 2 hours
Grade: More challenging underfoot
Good for: Walkers who want a longer, more varied route
Walk 3 is the longest of the three routes. Walk Alton lists it as 4.4 miles, taking around 2 hours, with a total ascent of 480 feet. The route takes in Warner’s Hanger, Park Hanger and the ancient common woodland of Binswood. It is described as undulating, with stiles and gates, and it can be very muddy in places.
This walk gives you more variety and a stronger sense of the surrounding landscape. It includes woodland, hanger paths, fields, gates, views, tracks and some muddier sections. Walk Alton also notes that Binswood can be muddy even in dry weather, so suitable footwear is a good idea.
Why we like it:
This is the route for walkers who want more of a proper countryside outing. It has more ascent, more variety and more of the local landscape to enjoy. It is especially rewarding if you like woodland paths and quieter corners of the countryside.
After the walk:
This is the one that really earns you a pub stop. Come back for something hearty, a drink in the bar or a long lunch with no need to rush.
Dog-friendly pub walks near Alton
If you are walking with your dog, The Three Horseshoes is a welcoming stop before or after your route. Dogs are part of the pub’s character, and the setting makes it easy to combine a countryside walk with food, drinks or a relaxed break afterwards.
Our dog-friendly facilities include Biscuit’s Bar, with water bowls, treats, toys, blankets and useful extras for four-legged visitors. Outside tables also have lead clips, so your dog can stay safely beside you while you enjoy the garden.
As always, please check the route details before setting off, keep dogs under control around livestock and wildlife, and be prepared for mud in wet weather.
Food, drinks and Sunday lunch after your walk
A good walk deserves a good finish.
After your route, head back to The Three Horseshoes for proper pub food, local ales, wine, soft drinks, low and no-alcohol options, coffee or cake. Depending on when you visit, you can join us for lunch, dinner, Sunday roast, a drink in the garden or a cosy table indoors.
If you are planning to eat after your walk, we recommend booking a table, especially for Sunday lunch or busier weekend times.
Make a day of it in the local area
The Three Horseshoes is not just a pub at the end of a walk. It can also be part of a wider day out in the Hampshire countryside.
East Worldham is close to Alton, Chawton, Selborne and the South Downs, with places such as Jane Austen’s House, The Watercress Line and Gilbert White’s House within easy reach. If you are visiting from further afield, our three en-suite rooms also make the pub a useful base for a countryside stay.
Walk first, eat afterwards, stay overnight, bring the dog or simply use the pub as your starting point for exploring the local area.
Before you set off
Please check the full Walk Alton route details before heading out, especially if you are not familiar with the area. Some paths can be muddy, and routes may include fields, lanes, stiles, gates or uneven ground.
Bring suitable footwear, dress for the weather and take care when crossing roads or walking near livestock.
Ready to walk, eat and relax?
Start at The Three Horseshoes, follow one of the local Walk Alton routes, then come back for proper food, good drinks and a warm welcome in East Worldham.