WEST SURREY BRANCH OF THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

WALK ROUND ODIHAM (HANTS.)

SUNDAY, 24 MAY 2015

Next year, our annual Branch walk will take us to the attractive old Hampshire town of Odiham, just off the M3 between Fleet and Basingstoke.  Odiham is a virtually undiscovered gem, a small town of real character, unspoiled, and rich in vernacular architecture.  It has an excellent main street, a fine square to one side of it, and a good medieval church to the side of that in turn.  Outside the town are the ruins of King John’s Castle, which actually provide us with our excuse for visiting Odiham in 2015, for it was from Odiham castle that at the end of May 1215 that King John set off to Windsor to begin the negotiating process that ended with the sealing of the Charter at Runnymede two weeks later.  The people of Odiham are very keen on their part in the Magna Carta anniversary.  Unfortunately we will not be able to visit the castle as a group because of the very limited car parking nearby.  However, individual members can go there separately afterwards, and the ruins and setting are both very attractive, by the canal.  For the walk, we will confine ourselves to the centre of the town, which is rewarding enough in itself.  We will meet at the eastern (the far end) of the High St, by an easily noticeable decorative lamp-post just beyond the Post Office, at 11 am.

The walk will be led by Nigel Saul, tel 01784 435630; email: n.saul@rhul.ac.uk