River Meon

From the White Horse Inn, beyond the churchyard lies this chalkland river, the Meon in Droxford. Just along the bank a family enjoyed a picnic in the afternoon sun. To the right, just out of shot a spaniel had the best time jumping in an out of the crystal clear waters. With his coat dripping, he soaked the legs of his owner as he rushed past on the footbridge, ready for another splash!

Beyond the next field, the Meon Valley Trail takes the route of the old railway, which made easy walking. The Meon Valley railway originally ran from Fareham in the south to Alton at its northern end, a short distance beyond the village of Chawton. It was in this picturesque Meon Valley village that Jane Austen wrote many of her most famous novels including Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma.