Around Roman Rockbourne
"Roman discoveries link Rockbourne and Whitsbury, close to the Wiltshire border."
Walk directions
Turn left out of the village hall car park and soon take the lane right towards Manor Farm. Turn right, signed to the church, and cross the gravel drive, in front of a white house, to turn right up a stepped path to St Andrew’s church. Continue along below the churchyard to reach a junction of paths. Keep straight on behind the school and houses, ignoring three paths on the right, then cross a stile and turn immediately right to go through a gate.
Follow the field edge down to the bottom corner and a junction of paths. Turn left and cross a stile to a gate near an electricity substation and take the narrow path ahead over a barrier. Walk through a paddock to the next stile and through the next paddock to a lane. Continue ahead, along the edge of a meadow, to a stile. Pass over the stile and out of the gate in front of Coutts Cottage to reach a track, opposite Marsh Farm.
Head left and then immediately right through a gate and continue along the right-hand field edge, next to the farmhouse, to a gate. Continue to another gate, then straight on between fenced fields, passing through a gate to reach a stile and lane. To visit the Roman villa, turn right to a T-junction, and turn right, then left, to the entrance. Afterwards, retrace your steps to rejoin the walk.
Take the track opposite, and walk ahead along a wooded track then, at a junction of tracks, take the arrowed path left up a steep bank and over a stile into a field. Follow the path parallel to the field edge to reach a stile at the corner of a wood. Cross a track, and continue downhill inside the woodland edge to a lane.
Turn right, then left, along a bridleway, opposite a driveway, and gently climb through Radnall Wood. At a junction bear left (following the blue arrow) and pass behind Whitsbury House to a lane. Turn left, then right, along a track between properties to a lane. Turn right, then bear right along the bridleway through Whitsbury Wood.
At a junction with a track, bear left and walk beside several fenced paddocks to a house and large barn. Turn left along a track between the paddocks towards St Leonard’s church. Turn left at the T-junction and soon after enter the churchyard. Go through the gate opposite the church door and descend to the lane.
Turn left for the Cartwheel Inn, otherwise turn right, then left, along a farm drive and keep ahead, bearing left at the horse land walker, then right between paddocks, uphill to a kissing gate. Turn left along the field edge, and then soon after turn right and head across the field to a track.
Turn right and follow the track as it bears left to a junction of tracks. Go through the gate opposite and then walk back to St Andrew’s church. Retrace your steps back to the village hall.
Additional information
Terrain
- Field paths, woodland bridleways and tracks, 9 stiles
Landscape
- Rolling fields, areas of woodland
Dog friendliness
- Off lead in woodland, but keep under close control on farmland and paddocks
Parking
- Rockbourne village hall car park can be used but with prior consent only (bookings@ rockbournevillagehall.org.uk)
Toilets en route
- None on route
About the walk
The long, gently winding main street in Rockbourne is said to be one of the prettiest in Hampshire. This peaceful and sheltered village is tucked in rolling downland on the borders with Wiltshire and Dorset, and the road is lined with Tudor and Georgian houses and thatched and timber-framed... cottages. The oldest known homestead is the Roman villa, discovered south of the village by a farmer in 1942. He unearthed oyster shells and tiles and the significance of the find was recognised by local antiquarian A T Morley Hewitt, whose first excavation hole revealed a mosaic floor. In 1956, after Morley Hewitt had bought the land, a full-scale excavation began, and the site is one of the most interesting Roman villa complexes to be discovered in the country. Roman legacy The Romans established prosperous farm estates with a villa at the centre, most notably in southern England where the soils were fertile. Excavations at Rockbourne identified over 70 rooms, including a pre-Roman circular hut and elaborate bathhouses with underfloor heating. A treasure trove of Roman remains was also uncovered – mosaics, coins, ironwork, jewellery and shards of pottery. Morley Hewitt’s detailed study of the site has revealed much about the everyday life of the Roman Britons at Rockbourne. The excavations have been filled in for their own protection, but you can see the outlines of the rooms and buildings marked out in the grass, the hypocaust heating systems and some mosaics. The walk takes in the neighbouring village of Whitsbury, where foundations of a Roman building, containing a hypocaust and New Forest pottery of the 2nd and 3rd century ad, were found in a field between the church and Glebe House. There is also evidence of even earlier habitation in the village. At the northern end of the village, by Whitsbury Stud, is a fine example of a fortified Iron Age camp.
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
Hampshire’s varied landscape of hills and heaths, downlands and forests, valleys and coast are without rival in southern England. Hike across the chalk downland of the north Hampshire ‘highlands’, meander along peaceful paths through unspoilt river valleys of the Test, Itchen, Avon and Meon, or explore the lonely salt marshes and the beautiful medieval forest and heathland of the New Forest.
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Summerlands Caravan Park
★★★
"Friendly campsite and caravan park in idyllic Wiltshire spot...."
- Ice pack facility
- Battery Charging
Self-Catering
Undercastle Cottage
★★★★★
"Dog-friendly luxury cottage in the New Forest with sun terraces, lush gardens and private fishing...."
- Total units: 1
- Private garden
- Washing machine
Self-Catering
Undercastle Cottage
★★★★★
"Dog-friendly luxury cottage in the New Forest with sun terraces, lush gardens and private fishing...."
- Private garden
- Washing machine
Nearby places to stay
Summerlands Caravan Park
A quiet family-run campsite off the beaten track. The site affords peace and tranquillity with panoramic views and level grass pitches. Situated within the Cranborne Chase, an AONB, six...
★★★ Rating
Undercastle Cottage
Undercastle cottage is a dog-friendly, luxury cottage in the New Forest that sleeps 4 to 6 people. It has sun terraces, lush gardens and 2,500m of private fishing on the Hampshire Avon....
★★★★★ Rating
Undercastle Cottage
Undercastle cottage is a dog-friendly, luxury cottage in the New Forest that sleeps 4 to 6 people. It has sun terraces, lush gardens and 2,500m of private fishing on the Hampshire Avon....
★★★★★ Rating
Wayside
This property is a modern, self-contained extension to the owner's residence with its own private outdoor spaces. It will comfortably accommodate a family of four or two couples. Locate...
★★★★ Rating
Wayside Apartment
This property is a modern, self-contained extension to the owner's residence with its own private outdoor spaces. It will comfortably accommodate a family of four or two couples. Locate...
★★★★ Rating
Sandy Balls Holiday Village
Nestled in the beautiful New Forest, Sandy Balls Holiday Village is a world away from the day-to-day. There are resident alpacas, family-friendly restaurants and a serene spa, along wit...
★★★★★ Rating
West Farm Lodges
Farm buildings were converted into four attractive and comfortable two-bedroom lodges. Guests will enjoy the peaceful rural setting, although Verwood is just a mile away. You can walk t...
Quality Assessed
Coombe Touring Park
Coombe Touring Park is a very neat and attractive site adjacent to the racecourse with views over the downs. The park is well landscaped with shrubs and maturing trees, and the very col...
★★★★★ Rating



