North Wessex Downs Walk
Watership Down and Ladle Hill from the Sydmonton Estate

Maps

Ordnance Survey Explorer 144	Sheet Map	1:25k	BUY
Anquet OS Explorer 144	Digital Map	1:25k	BUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 174	Sheet Map	1:50k	BUY
Anquet OS Landranger 174	Digital Map	1:50k	BUY

Walk Route Description

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A delightful short walk that features a fantastic section of the North Downs on the renowned Watership Down made famous by the eponymous novel about rabbits! The walk also features the incomplete iron age fort on Ladle hill and the genteel Sydmonton Estate. Views from the ridge (now forming part of the Wayfarer's Walk) are superb.

The walk commences near Wergs Farm, grid reference SU477582. Park on the side of the road, just before the farm if heading North towards Burghclere. Head North towards the farm and then after the farm buildings turn right along a broad track with superb views to the North up to Watership Farm. Take the first turn right down another broad track that passes paddocks, tree lined avenues and the impressive stately pile itself. Upon reaching the road through Sydmonton, turn left and after a few metres take a hedge-lined track that heads straight for the imposing Downs ahead. Ladle Hill is to the right, its fort hidden from view from below.

The track veers off left as it rises. Follow it as it turns into a tree lined lane with spectacular views into the valley below and Watership Down to the left. Upon reaching the crest, turn right onto the Wayfarer's Walk and follow it as it twists right then left towards the edge of a wood. At the end of the wood through a swing gate turn square left and follow the track as it turns square right passing a tumulus (ancient burial mound). The path climbs to the fenced off summit of Ladle Hill, an incomplete Iron Age Hill Fort. Explore this at your leisure and then return to the path.

At the end of the fort, the path turns left and descends slightly. The return route is marked with a waymarked post and a cairn. This bridlepath turns right at an acute angle, heading for the woods below. Enter the woods and follow the enclosed path all the way back to the start point. Note the view of Beacon Hill, highest point in Hampshire, by the A34 to the left.

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Other walks nearby

Walk 3594	Beacon Hill near Burghclere	easy	1.5 miles
Walk 3595	Old Burghclere & Burghclere from Beacon Hill	easy/mod	5.6 miles
Walk 3413	North Wessex Downs & Source of the Test	moderate	15.0 miles
Walk 1508	Hannington from Kingsclere	easy	6.0 miles
Walk 2114	Hampshire and Berkshire Heights	moderate	15.0 miles

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