Head off site via the Southampton Lodge entrance and turn right. Take the public footpath on the left as the Romsey road bears right just before the Hursley road turning and run along the field parallel to the Hursley road.
Exit the field and run up the recently resurfaced steep hill. Follow the footpath signs across the Cranbury estate, eventually crossing the M3 where you bear right to emerge at the top of Otterbourne hill.
Cross the road on to the grassy area and head for the far corner. Follow the lanes round until you see the entrance to Otterbourne Woods. There are various ways through the woods. This course takes the straight forward shortest way.
You'll emerge from the woods in to a field and descend to Kiln Lane where you turn left, cross to the other side and after only 10 yards enter another field. Follow this path until you reach the Old Forge pub.
You'll emerge on the main road through Otterbourne, turn right and run for only 50 metres or so before turning turn left at the footpath sign just before the petrol station. Follow the path round on to Poles Lane and run along that until you turn right for Silkstead farm. Head up hill for 0.3 miles then turn left and head home across the fields.
This route is a nicer version of this one, but is 0.5 miles longer but replaces the main road section with the Otterbourne Woods downhill and field to the Old Forge so it's worth doing this one unless you're really pressed for time.
Here's a link to the route on Bike Route Toaster if you want to explore variations.
