Great Walks in Hampshire & The New Forest
The Walks
With the rugged beauty of the New Forest, superb coastal vistas and sublime inland countryside Hampshire has much to offer the walker. Our selection of routes in this lovely county will satisfy almost everyone.
  Background Briefing




Chugging From Beaulieu
National Motor Museum








HMS Warrior
Portsmouth







Lymington Yacht Harbour





Grazing Free In
The New Forest





The Tranquil River Meon
Near Cheriton

King Alfred
Overlooking Winchester




Wickham Church

The Bat & Ball Pub
Hambledon





Jane Austen's House
Chawton






The Path To
Selborne Common








Beaulieu Village








St Nicholas' Church
Chawton









A Hampshire Hog








The Hinton Arms
Near Cheriton









Looking Down On
Selborne









Sailing Up The Hamble

 









The Waterfall
At Corhampton

Alderholt Watermill

Jane Austen's Garden



The Maritime Museum
Bucklers Hard





Fort Nelson





Gilbert White's Church
At Selborne




Grazing In
Hinton Ampner Park





Mottisfont Abbey





Winchester Cathedral

 

 

























 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Burley Youth Hostel





Hollands Wood Camp Site
Near Brockenhurst

 



The Crown Hotel
Lyndhurst
Best Western

Bedhampton Premier Inn

 


Hampshire has long been one of England’s most important maritime counties. It is many centuries since timber from the New Forest was first hewed to fashion the nation’s warships. Down at Bucklers Hard, on the Beaulieu River, you can see the remains of ancient shipyards. Our two-part walk takes in Beaulieu village, part of the New Forest and then takes you out to Bucklers Hard itself.

More recently, Southampton has been home to some of the world’s greatest passenger liners.  A hundred years ago the city became a main port of departure for those brave souls seeking a new life in America. A little later, the luxurious liners of the 1920s and 1930s plied between Southampton and New York, carrying the rich and famous – including many of the glamorous new film stars of the age. Get a look and feel for Southampton Water on our Calshot Walk, which goes out to the castle on the very tip of the spit jutting into the Solent.

Modern warships, of course, would stand absolutely no chance of navigating the narrow Beaulieu River.  Instead, the vast harbour of Portsmouth is home to the Royal Navy. Our biggest aircraft carriers, including Ark Royal herself, can often be seen here at their base.  So too can Britain’s most famous ship – Lord Nelson’s flagship Victory.  You can go aboard and see the deck upon which the great Admiral fell. 

In fact this area is a base for seafaring of many varieties, including yachting. West Cowes, at the entrance to the Medina River on the Isle of Wight, is the home of the most prestigious yacht club in the world – The Royal Yacht Squadron. Over on the mainland the River Hamble must surely be the most congested yachting river in Britain. It is said that on a summer Sunday you could easily cross the Hamble by jumping from yacht to yacht.  This may not be literally true but with no fewer than six major marinas on its shores this little river certainly has its share of boating activity. You can see much of it, and the charming village of Hamble itself, on our walk of that name.

We also offer a rather unusual walk, which starts with a voyage from Portsmouth ferry terminal and takes you over, as foot passengers, to Ryde on the Isle of Wight. Once ashore you take a route which combines part of the island’s north shore and a bit of its hinterland. If you have time after the walk, we recommend a visit to magnificent Osborne House, near East Cowes. Built to Italianate designs by Queen Victoria’s consort, Prince Albert, the house became their favourite retreat. In truth it is an edifice in celebration of the might and extent of the British Empire, with furnishings, artworks and statuary from every corner of Victoria’s dominions. You will be amazed by the ‘modern’ conveniences we now take for granted, but which were once great innovations; flush toilets, hot water on tap, and you can even see inside Victoria and Albert’s very own en-suite bathrooms !

Opposite the Isle of Wight, just to the east of the Portsmouth–Southsea peninsula is Hayling Island. Separated from Southsea by Langstone Harbour, and from Sussex in the east by Chichester Harbour, Hayling is joined to the mainland only by a road bridge at Northney. Our walk here takes in the marshy shoreline of part of Chichester Harbour. This huge natural harbour was once busy with roman ships coming to and fro. However, some considerable skill, and knowledge of the tides, is essential to safely navigate Chichester Harbour entrance and its bar. Even these days more than a few yachts run aground every year.

Probably the best-known inland area of Hampshire is the oddly named New Forest. Oddly named because it is certainly not new, and for much of its area is hardly a forest – being largely open heath. Some say the Forest was established by William the Conqueror, but there is ample evidence that it was in existence long before 1066. Whatever its origins the New Forest soon became a favourite hunting ground for Norman Royalty.  William the Conqueror’s heir William Rufus was killed in a hunting accident in 1100. You can see the commemorative Rufus Stone on our walk from Fritham.

The River Avon runs down the western side of the New Forest forming the border with Dorset.  This Avon, of course, is not the river of Shakespeare’s Stratford, but a lesser-known namesake. Walk its tranquil banks on our route from Fordingbridge.

But the rivers for which Hampshire are best known are probably the peaceful Rivers Meon and Test. On the banks of the Test you could visit Broadlands. This stately pile was once the Home of Lord ‘Louis’ Mountbatten and his wife Edwina. Mountbatten, besides being a naval hero of the Second World War, was the last Vice-Roy of India. He also happened to be uncle a naval officer name Prince Philip of Greece. When Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth, then Heir to the British throne, they spent the first part of their honeymoon at Broadlands. Many years later their son, Prince Charles, spent the first night of his honeymoon at the house upon his marriage to Lady Diana Spencer.

Now moving further north you come to rural Hampshire at its most sublime. The gently undulating countryside, giving way to the more rugged downs, is dotted with unspoilt villages and attractive market towns. And history is everywhere. Our Cheriton Battlefield walk takes in the site of this important Civil War conflagration of 1644, in which the Royalists were soundly thrashed.  Indeed, you can still see the earth-covered mounds where the dead were buried.

Winchester, now the County Town of Hampshire, was once the Capital of England.  In Saxon times the city was home to England’s most famous King; Alfred the Great. It also still has the Round Table of Arthurian legend. For over 700 years the table has been housed in the Great Hall, the only surviving section of ancient Winchester Castle. The original round table was supposed to have been created by Merlin, the magician, for King Arthur.  However, this particular example is dated from the time of King Edward I, who was well known for his interest in King Arthur.  Winchester is packed with historic buildings, centred of course on the magnificent Cathedral. You can see the city at close quarters on our St Catherine’s Hill and Twyford Down walk.

Just eight miles east of Winchester is the elegant market town of Alresford – called ‘Allsford’ locally.  Full of handsome Georgian houses, lanes and riverside walks, this lovely place also happens to be the U.K.’s capital – of watercress growing.  So famous is this crop, the nearby steam railway is named the ‘Watercress Line’!  See it all on our Alresford walk.

Our Forest of Bere route starts from the particularly pretty village of Wickham.  Centred on a medieval square it has many fine buildings, inns and teashops. The fascinating preserved watermill was constructed using timbers from the old American warship ‘Chesapeake’ for which the mill is named.

The nearby village of Hambledon claims the distinction of being the birthplace of cricket. For it was here, in the 18th Century the Hambledon Cricket Club drafted formal rules which transformed the game played to widely differing local customs into the modern form very similar to that which is still played throughout the English speaking world (yes – there are a few cricket clubs in North America!)  Why not visit the Bat and Ball Inn, now a shrine to our national summer game, for post-walk refreshment?

In the north of our area, on the Sussex border, we come to the dramatic natural feature known as The Devil’s Punchbowl. You can take our strenuous walk which takes in Headley Down and rewards your exertion with superb views in every direction – weather permitting.

But not all our Hampshire routes are strenuous. Many others offer more peaceful, though rewarding, walking. For example, the walk around Mottisfont and Kent’s Oak is really enjoyable and passes through some of the most unspoilt countryside in the county.

You can circumnavigate Frensham Great Pond, actually a huge lake, on level tracks with barely any noticeably hilly sections. None-the-less the views and sense of peace and quiet are thoroughly relaxing. There are also some great areas for picnicking. If the weather is less than perfect for open-air eating we list several welcoming hostelries not far away.

There are lots of literary connections within Hampshire.  Jane Austen was born in Steventon, near Basingstoke, and spent most of her adult life in Chawton.  You can visit her home, now a museum, as an adjunct to our Chawton walk, which enjoys much of the countryside Jane Austen knew, and which provided a back-drop to some of her novels.

Jane Austen would probably recognise today’s Chawton more easily then present-day Basingstone. Still, the old canal which long ago fell into disrepair, has recently been renovated. It provides recreation not only for boat owners, but its tow-paths also offer good walking, which we take advantage of on our Basingstoke Canal & Countryside excursion.

Just south of Chawton you can visit the house and countryside which were Gilbert White’s inspiration for his ’Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne’. Not a title to trip easily off the tongue, this weighty volume none-the-less revolutionised the scientific study of the natural world – both plants and animal species.  Published in 1789, sadly only four year before White’s death, it can arguably be said to have established the scientific methods without which later writers, including Charles Darwin, could not have developed their theories of evolution.

We know you will enjoy our Hampshire and New Forest walk collection. If you are new to the county you can be assured of great walks and fine countryside.




     CONTRIBUTORS    

Hampshire & New Forest walks, pictures and
background info have been compiled by:
Theresa Miles, Eric Joyce and Jean Shepherd

  

 


       HAMPSHIRE & THE NEW FOREST - THE WALKS      

Download your walk report by clicking on its icon

  Walks Without An Icon Will Be Ready This Summer   

JANE AUSTEN'S CHAWTON PARK   
A mainly easy walk through the woods and open countryside known to Jane Austen
7.8 miles (12.6 km)
Toughness Rating : 1

 BEAULIEU - MONKS & MOTORS 
An easier walk over New Forest heathland near Beaulieu. 
A separate section takes in Bucklers Hard
7.0 miles (11.2 km)
Toughness Rating : 1

BUCKLERS HARD 
A separate short walk along the historic Beaulieu River, incorporated within the Beaulieu walk description
4.6 miles (7.4 km)
Toughness Rating: 1

BURLEY - HEART OF THE NEW FOREST 
Walk out to the fortification in Southampton Water, on the tip of the New Forest
7.8 miles (12.5 km)
Toughness Rating: 2

CHERITON BATTLEFIELD
A gently undulating walk taking in the 1644 Civil War battlefield
7.7 miles (12.3 km)
Toughness Rating: 2

FRITHAM NEW FOREST TRAIL    
A fairly demanding walk through forest and heath, with some steep hills
8.9 miles (14.2 km)
Toughness Rating: 3

GILBERT WHITE’S SELBORNE 
Follow in the footsteps of Britain’s first great naturalist, with an option visit to Gilberts White’s house and museum
7.2 miles (11.5 km)
Toughness Rating: 2

HAMBLE & THE SOLENT WAY 
Starting from the yachting centre of Hamble village, take to the riverside for this short, easier route
5.3 miles (8.5 km)
Toughness Rating: 1

HAMBLEDON – THE CRADLE OF CRICKET
Visit the birth-place of our national game on this dramatic, hilly walk
9.4 miles (15.0 km)
Toughness Rating: 3

HOLLY HILL & THE RIVER HAMBLE
A mainly easy woodland and riverside ramble
5.1 miles (8.2 km)
Toughness Rating: 1

KEYHAVEN MARSHES & HURST CASTLE
A flat and mainly easier walk betwixt the New Forest and the Solent
6.2 miles or 8.4 miles (10.0 km or 13.5 km)
Toughness Rating: 1

LUDSHOTT COMMON & WAGGONERS WELLS 
An easier stroll through woods and heath
7.6 miles or 4.9 miles (12.1 km or 7.9 km)
Toughness Rating: 1

THE RUFUS STONE TRAIL
A long and sometimes demanding route in the New Forest
12.8 miles or 11.3 miles (20.5 km or 18.0 km)
Toughness Rating: 4

A TICKET TO RYDE
Start with a ferry ride, then walk a section of the Isle of Wight
9.4 miles (15.0 km)
Toughness Rating: 1
SOUTHWICK & THE PILGRIM WAY
A fairly easy walk including part of the Pilgrims Trail
7.4 miles (11.9 km)
Toughness Rating : 2

ST CATHERINE'S HILL FORT & TWYFORD DOWN 
A strenuous walk over high downland, affording superb views, with some steep sections
10.3 miles (16.5 km)
Toughness Rating : 3

WICKHAM & THE FOREST OF BERE
An easier walk along the dis-used Meon Valley Railway, and the Forest of Bere
7.8 miles (12.5 km)
Toughness Rating : 1

OLD WINCHESTER HILL  
Walk the Archaeology Trail high up on the Downs on this sometimes steep route
8.7 miles (13.9 km)
Toughness Rating: 3

MORE WALKS WILL BE ADDED TO OUR HAMPSHIRE & THE NEW FOREST COLLECTION DURING 2010


 
TOUGHNESS RATINGS

All our Hampshire & New Forest routes can be undertaken by reasonably fit walkers able to utilise our map segments, together with the route guidance notes. Always consider recent and forecast weather.

Each walk has been allocated a Toughness Rating:

  1.     Easier walks with modest ascent and generally on well defined paths. There may be stiles or narrow gateways to negotiate.

  2.     Routes which are more demanding. They may include more ascent and possibly paths which are looser or more difficult underfoot.

  3.     More strenuous walks with some steep sections, higher paths or places which may be wet and boggy.

  4.     The most demanding walks in this edition. There may be prolonged steep ascents. Conditions may be challenging underfoot.

Toughness Ratings are allocated in the context of the terrain in the edition area.
For example a walk rated as demanding in Cambridgeshire may be equivalent to an easier or moderate route in the Brecon Beacons.





Directory of Local Information Sources

     WHAT TO SEE      

Our selection of the most interesting things to see
or visit on or near the walks

Alderholt Mill
Watermill
Near Fordingbridge
01425 652868
Privately owned watermill and exhibition

Andover Museum of the Iron Age
Fascinating Archeological Museum
6 Church Close, Andover
01264 366283
Displays of historic material going back to our most ancient past

Jane Austen's House
The Author's Hampshire Home
Chawton
01420 83262
See fascinating memorabilia from Jane Austen's life here
www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk

Birdworld
26 Acres of Park & Gardens
Holt Pound, Farnham
01420 22140
See Penguins, Parrots, owls and flamingos in beautiful settings
www.birdworld.co.uk

Beaulieu Palace House
Stately Home
Beaulieu
01590 612345
A magnificent house near the National Motor Museum
www.beaulieu.co.uk

Broadlands
Stately Home
Romsey
01794 505010
The former home of Lord Mountbatten

Buckler's Hard
Riverside Maritime Museum
Near Beaulieu
01590 616203
See where many of Nelson's ships were launched
www.bucklershard.co.uk

Fort Nelson
Royal Armouries Display
Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham
01329 233734
Exciting military characters from our history brought to life
www.royalarmouries.org

Gilbert White's House
Home of the Pioneering Naturalist
Selborne, Near Alton
01420 511275
House and museum devoted to the scientific work of Gilbert White
www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk

Hinton Ampner House
National Trust Property
Near Cheriton
House, gardens and park
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Houghton Lodge Gardens
Magnificent Gardens and Hydroponicum
Houghton, Near Stockbridge
01264 810502
Twelve acres of beautful gardens on the River Test
 www.houghtonlodge.co.uk

Marwell Zoological Park
200 Speciies of Fascinating Animals
Colden Common, Winchester
01962 777407
See all kinds of rare and exotic wildlife
www.marwell.org.uk

Mid Hants Railway
The 'Watercress Line' Steam Railway
The Railway Station, Alresford
01962 733810
Re-live the glorious age of steam
www.watercressline.co.uk

Milestones
A living reconstruction of Old Hampshire
Churchill Way, West Basingstoke
01256 477766
Meet characters from the period 1840 - 1945
www.milestones-museum.org

Mottisfont Abbey & Garden
National Trust Property
Mottisfont, Near Romsey
01794 340757
12th Century priory and magnificent gardens
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Museum of Army Flying
Military Aeroplane and Helicopter Museum
Middle Wallop, Near Stockbridge
01264 784421
The complete history of army flying
www.flying-museum.org.uk

Museum of Rural Life
Village Life In The Olden Days
Reed Road, Tilford, Near Farnham
01252 795571
Crafts, trades and rural artifacts on display
www.rural-life.org.uk

The National Motor Museum
Britain's Leading Car Museum
Beaulieu
01590 612345
Over 250 road vehicles of all kinds on display
www.beaulieu.co.uk

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Ships From Our Maritime Past
Victory Gate, H.M. Naval Base, Portsmouth
023 9283 9766
Come aboard H.M.S. Victory and other historic vessels
www.historicdockyard.co.uk

Royal Navy Submarine Museum
Dive Into The Past
Haslar Jetty Road,, Gosport
023 9252 9217
See submarines of the past - and the future
www.rnsubmus.co.uk

Winchester Castle
Home To King Arthur's Round Table
High Street, Winchester
01962 840476
See the fabled round table and other ancient items

Winchester Cathedral
One Of England's Most Magnificent Churches
The Close, Winchester
01962 857251
Over 1,000 years of Christian history in England's former capital
www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

 

        GETTING HELP        


Tourist Information Centres

Free local guide brochures available by post.
Information and an accommodation booking service
is available at the centres listed below, or online at:

Hampshire Tourism Partnership

www.hampshirescountryside.co.uk

North Hampshire
33 The High Street, Aldershot
Tel: 01252 320968

Alton Tourist Information Centre
7 Cross & Pillory, Alton
Tel: 01420 88448

Andover Tourist Information Centre
6 Church Close, Andover
Tel: 01264 324320

New Forest Tourist Information Centre
Main Car Park, Lyndhurst
Tel: 023 8028 2269

Portsmouth Tourist Information Centre
The Hard, Portsmouth
Tel: 023 9282 6722

Romsey Tourist Information Centre
13 Church Street, Romsey
Tel: 01794 512987

Southampton Tourist Information Centre
9 Civic Centre Road, Southampton
Tel: 023 8083 3333

Winchester Tourist Information Centre
The Guildhall, Broadway, Winchester
Tel: 01962 840500


National Organisations

The Ramblers Association
Representing walkers throughout Britain
Tel: 020 7339 8500
www.Ramblers.org.uk

English Heritage
Preserving and maintaining our heritage in England
www.English-Heritage.org.uk

The National Trust
Properties described on their web site
Tel: 0870 458 4000
www.NationalTrust.org.uk

 


      WHERE TO STAY     

The Hampshire Tourism Partnership listed in Getting Help offer accommodation advice and booking services. See their web site:

www.hampshirescountryside.co.uk

Other Organisations

Youth Hostels Association
 All properties in the area and throughout
the U.K. are described on their web site.
Directory available free to members
Tel: 0870 770 8868
www.yha.org.uk

Camping & Caravanning Club
Details of 1400 camp sites on the web site
Tel: 0845 130 7632
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
     


Town & Country Hotels

FREE directories and web sites for regional and national hotel groups or franchises:

Best Western Hotels
 Franchised hotels throughout Britain
Tel: 0845 33 00 415
www.BestWestern.co.uk

Corus Hotels
Country & town centre hotels throughout Britain
Tel: 0845 300 2000
www.CorusHotels.com

The Independents
Consortium of 2 & 3 star hotels throughout Britain
Tel: 0800 88 55 44
www.TheIndependents.co.uk

Marston Hotels
Independent four star hotels throughout England
Tel: 0845 1300 700
www.MarstonHotels.com

New Forest Hotels
A collection of hotels in the area
Tel: 0800 44 44 41
www.NewForestHotels.co.uk

Old English Inns
Classic Inns across England
Tel: 0800 917 3085
www.OldEnglishInns.co.uk

Premier Travel Inn
470 budget hotels across the U.K.
Tel: 0870 242 8000
www.PremierTravelInn.com

Travelodge
Budget accommodation across the U.K.
Tel: 08700 850 950

Welcome Break
Budget accommodation at motorway services
 Tel: 0800 731 4466

 

          Essential        

 Contributors
Safe & Courteous

Walking Our Routes

Toughness Ratings

         Local Info        

Getting Help

What To See

Where To Stay

        Best Links        
Weather To Walk
Ramblers Association

 English Heritage

The National Trust

Camping and
Caravanning Club

Youth Hostels

Town & Country
Hotel Groups

 

 

 



 
 

 

Great Walks text and pictures are the copyright of Synchra Communication Ltd 2009

Mapping is the copyright of Synchra Communication Ltd 2009
Developed under License from The Ordnance Survey