Old Winchester Hill, Hampshire

Old Winchester Hill map
Classification Moderate

Distance 10km (6.2 miles)

Typical duration 3hr 30min

Height gain 135m

Starting/finishing point Shoe Inn

OS grid reference SU 612 208 (Explorer Maps 132 and 119)

Walk in a nutshell

This route takes you from the pretty village of Exton to the pinnacle of one of the county's most impressive hill forts. Constructed 2,500 years ago, there are also vestiges of an earlier settlement in the form of bronze age burial mounds. Those who brave the slog to the top of this chalk ridge are richly rewarded with impressive views in every direction - on a clear day, you can see as far as the Isle of Wight.

Why it's so special

As well as the panoramic vista, Old Winchester Hill is a national nature reserve, rich in the flora of the Hampshire downland. Shrubs such as juniper and hawthorn thrive on the chalky soil, as does the yew tree - sometimes referred to as the "Hampshire weed". Part of this route also runs alongside the clear stream of the Meon.

Keep your eyes peeled for

In summer months, you can see clouds of chalkhill blue and meadow brown butterflies. The area is also a place of refuge for dormice, squirrels, badgers, roe deer and foxes.

But bear in mind

Although the majority of the walk is flat, the 400m or so that take you up the hill are quite a steep climb.

Impress your companions

This walk crosses a section of the disused Meon Valley railway line that, from 1903 to 1968, ran between Portsmouth and London. It earned its nickname, "The Strawberry Line", during the heyday of market gardening in Hampshire - trainloads of the fruit used to be loaded aboard at Wickham and Mislingford. The line was put to more momentous use in June 1944, when, as the final preparations for the D-day landings were underway at nearby Southwick House, Churchill and his war cabinet stayed for several days aboard a special train in the long siding at Droxford station.

Recover afterwards

The walk begins and ends at the Shoe Inn, so-called because it stands on the site of the old blacksmith's. Sup a pint of one of their selection of real ales or sample the delicious home-cooked dinners.

And if it's tipping down

In its day, the Southwick Brewhouse supplied ale to the Golden Lion pub next door, where generals Eisenhower and Montgomery took their breaks while planning the Normandy invasion. It closed in 1957, but now functions as a Victorian brewery museum and a shop, so leave some room in your knapsack for bottled ales and ciders.

How to get there

By car Exton lies on the A32 from Alton to Wickham; roadside parking is possible near the church or at the pub, but can be crowded.

By public transport The closest rail station is Botley, just under 12km away. Bus services to and from Exton are infrequent, so you might be better off taking a taxi for the last part of your journey.

Step-by-step guide
Walk ID 2975

1. Walk north-west along Shoe Lane. Turn right at end of road by the church, and continue along minor road alongside stream, up to main A32 road.

2. Cross A32, then a wooden footbridge over the river as the path bears right and heads towards farm.

3. Shortly before farm, path turns left over another footbridge towards a path lined by trees. This has two levels: the lower looks like the remains of an old railway line, the upper has clearer views of surroundings and takes you in a straight line to the underpass of the disused main Meonstoke line.

4-5. Cross line by going over or under bridge. On other side you face three alternative paths - take either left or middle (right-hand path will be used for return). The path follows Garden Hill Lane in a straight line, along the old railway siding. After 800m, you emerge at edge of Roll's Copse, at a T-junction with Monarch's Way.

6. Turn right. Keep hedgerow on right, following path uphill. Shortly after an S-bend, the path comes to a T-junction.

7-8. Turn left uphill, and after 250m, you enter trees on the edge of Old Winchester Hill reserve. Path continues more steeply, emerging on edge of the ancient hill-fort. Continue along either edge of the fort to the other end.

9. Go through the gate at the other end of the fort, and follow the upper path around a path bending to the left, emerging at a road after 800m. Pause to take in the dramatic view of the fort looking back from the road.

10. Follow the same path back to the fort and take the opposite route round the edge of the fort. Continue down the same path back to step 7.

11. From step 7, follow the path over the shoulder of the hill until you reach step 5 again. (This route opens up the view on the descent.) From step 5, turn left and retrace your steps to the start.