By Katie Isham.
The days are growing darker by the moment, sometimes in many different ways. So it seems like the perfect time to search for the brightness. Light may be rarer as autumn shuffles along, but there are dazzling flashes to behold, if you know where to look.
Within the suburbs of Chandler’s Ford, a beacon shines bright, tempting all who pass to circle the paths around its centre. A wedge of woodland enclosing the waterways of its moniker, Hiltingbury Lakes offers a brilliant escape into autumnal luminosity.
Not far from Winchester Road, the main artery running through the borough of Chandler’s Ford, side roads lead down an incline toward a seven-hectare leafy oasis to explore. Just off a junction on Kingsway, a small gate and a big tree entice walkers onto a narrow trail. Take the path to greet the woods.
A stream runs alongside the route on the right, barely visible amongst the undergrowth. On the left, houses and gardens are also obscured by flourishing foliage. Keep to the path and continue between the two. Before long, a bridge appears to the right. Ignore this for now and take the route left: looping the lake is the name of the game.
Up this path the trees grow taller and line the course adjacent to the lake. If you catch the light right, it’s nigh on impossible to avoid an audible gasp. The leaves cover the whole colour spectrum: golden, lime green, rusty, rich emerald, bronzed ochre. And good lord, do they show up well against a crisp November sky. The brightness here will banish any darkness that may be bothering you.
But what about the leaves underfoot I hear you ask. Indeed, they’re a work of art themselves. The mulchy carpet might seem like just leaves to the unappreciative, but look closer: jewels of ruby red stars, sunshine yellow bursts and every shade of beautiful brown you never knew you wanted to see.
Here a decision must be made. Loop completely to the left and take the tree trail or veer straighter to keep the lake in sight. There’s no bad choice, only which route to take first. Criss cross paths to cover all ground and keep an eye out for lingering fungi on soggy logs.
When time is called on the woodland wanders, steer right to the top of the lakes. A satellite path spikes off left to join Hiltingbury Road, but lean right to stay close to the riverbank. A proper safari includes fauna fun and this is a perfect site for sightings. The lake is home to ducks, moorhen and a gang of gulls. And who knows what else one might spot when loafing on one of the delightfully located benches?
The route circles the lakes on two levels; one path at the shoreline and the other protected by vegetation. Both give a beautiful perspective of the reflections of the neighbouring trees on the vast water. Both soon lead back to the aptly named Duck Bridge which separates the large lake from smaller, more foliage-packed waterways. More crisscrossing is required to cover all ground here. But nobody minds. This way, more time can be taken gazing across the lake to the line of trees on the opposite shore. Sunglasses required for the spectacular colours and brightness of life on display here.
When ready, stick to the return leg loop, taking another narrow path once again sandwiched between fenced gardens on one side and fenced wetland habitat on the other. A quick skip over the final bridge will return wanderers back toward the paved paths of the suburbs. Walking back to everyday routines can be hard, especially when life loses its shine, but the glow generated by visiting the autumnal leaves of the lakes is enough to power us through the dark days.
Cost: Free to access the walk and free to park on residential streets.
Accessibility: The paths around the site are mostly gravel with a generous mulchy layer of soggy (but beautiful) leaves at present. Don’t wear your white trainers. The lakes are just north of Chandler’s Ford, not far from the main Winchester Road. This is also where the Number 1 BlueStar trundles along to Winchester. The train station is also just over a mile away.
Facilities: Very few facilities around the lakes. Free car parking on neighbouring residential streets. Many benches to choose from. Chandler’s Ford is not too far if in need of more facilities: shops, pubs, cafés, toilets etc are in the village.
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