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St Peter’s at Linkenholt

Continue through the village to a road T-junction and a small triangular grassy area on which there is a brick built plinth. Raised on the plinth is metal seating that surrounds a horse chestnut tree. Bear right at the junction passing a waymarked path by several large barns (left) and go straight on for another 500 metres to a hedge and tree-lined grass and stony track that is TW waymarked (left).

Follow the track for 600 metres to a track junction and then continue for a further 800 metres to reach a track crossover where you should bear left. The track is mainly hedge and tree-lined – although at times open on both sides – as it crosses cultivated downland in a broad arc sweeping around to the right for 3km towards Ibthorpe.

Jane Austen was a regular visitor to the now Grade II-listed Georgian country house – Ibthorpe House – which it is thought she used as the model for Longbourn – the home of the Bennet family in Pride and Prejudice.

Shortly after passing Upper Ibthorpe Farm at the eastern edge of Ibthorpe, you will come to a junction at the unmarked Horseshoe Lane. Bear left for 200 metres to reach the gate at the entrance to a farm access track. Go through the TW waymarked side gate – which is where this stage meets Walk 1 coming from Hurstbourne Tarrant – and follow the track for 90 metres to another gate (right), which opens on to a grassy path enclosed by wooden post and rail fencing. Half way along the path is a small enclosure of trees called ‘John’s Copse 1969’ where the names of several animals are recorded on slate memorial plaques.