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This section of the path crosses Trafalgar Park’s vista of the River Avon and beyond it Charlton All Saints. As you might imagine with a name like Trafalgar the estate has connections with Admiral Horatio Nelson.  Following Horatio’s death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 his brother Rev William Nelson was created 1st Earl Nelson and apparently lobbied Parliament for an estate in recognition of his brother’s service to the nation.  Standlynch Park was the location chosen by the Treasury and it was renamed Trafalger Park.  Descendants of Horatio Nelson lived here until 1948 when it was sold by the 5th Earl Nelson.

We only did half of this walk as you need wellies to get passed the weir in the winter months. So many birds of prey and herons. Great for birdwatching

Saddened to observe today that the churchyard has now been robustly padlocked too.

The pretty, riverside village of Downton has a rich history. There's evidence of Iron Age, Roman and Saxon settlements in the area and the village was the site of both a Roman villa and an 11th-century motte and bailey castle. The Avon Valley Path long-distance trail passes through the village and there are plenty of places to eat and drink for that post-run refuel.

The Moot boasts the remains of an 11th-century motte and bailey castle, the earthworks of which can still be explored today. The impressive Moot House was built in the 17th century and was host to an earthen amphitheatre where many plays, particularly Shakespeare's, were performed. It all makes for an interesting detour when running along the Avon Valley Path.

Downton is a charming village situated along the River Avon. A Roman villa has been discovered here, and on high ground, the remains of an Iron Age hillfort are still visible today. Downton hosts the annual Cuckoo Fair which offers visitors some 250+ craft stalls, live music, and entertainment. With a brewery and plenty of facilities, Downton makes a great base to explore the River Avon and the New Forest from.

Hatchet Green is surrounded by characterful thatched cottages and is part of Hale, a scattered Forest community. The earliest cottages were built using cob in the late 18th century and are still traditionally thatched in the simple long straw style without the elaborately patterned block ridges common since the 1960s. The green itself is used by the local primary school and is also the local cricket pitch. It's also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its rare plants and wildlife.

Hatchet Green in the village of Hale is very pretty, quintessentially English, with a number of benches on the perimeter. A great place to rest, maybe picnic, and watch the world go by!