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Home> Walks> England> Hampshire> Stockbridge Down

Stockbridge Down

Recommended by
Our view
"Spectacular scenery, ancient earthworks and glorious wildlife characterise the downs overlooking Stockbridge."
Walk directions

Leave the car park via the gate and follow the path ahead through woodland. Cross a footpath at a gate on your right and keep ahead up the valley as the woodland falls away on your left. Continue climbing through the trees and emerge at the clearing with the ramparts of Woolbury ahead.

Carry on along the broad main path up the hill, bearing gently right as the path brushes the ramparts near the original southern entrance to the fort. Ignore the turning left and continue beside the ramparts for about 100yds (91m) over the top of the hill. Bear left as a second path leads off right beside the ramparts and curve left through woodland beside the wire fence on your right.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Downland and field-edge paths, minor road and woodland tracks, 1 stile
  Landscape  - Downland and wooded arable farmland
  Dog friendliness  - Keep on the lead near grazing animals and on roads
  Parking  - National Trust car park
  Toilets en route  - Stockbridge High Street, by Three Cups Inn
Walks in Hampshire Dog-friendly walks in Hampshire
About the walk
The high slopes of Stockbridge Down command outstanding views of the Test Valley, which includes some of Hampshire’s most alluring rural scenery. Picturesque villages with their ancient churches, pubs and thatched cottages lie folded into the chalk downland, linked by quiet lanes and rural paths. ...
Read more
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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

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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.
Explore Hampshire
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
The Grosvenor Hotel Stockbridge
★★★★
awardaward
"The perfect place for fly fishing, shooting, walking and cycling...."
  • Family rooms:
Inn
The Three Cups Inn
★★★★
awardawardaward
"Period inn with lots of character on Stockbridge’s charming high street...."
  • Rooms 11
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Restaurant with Rooms
The Greyhound on the Test
★★★★
awardawardaward
"Charming high street position for stylish rooms and top quality cuisine...."
  • Rooms 10
  • Free TV
  • DVD Player
  • Wifi
Nearby places to stay
The Grosvenor Hotel Stockbridge
The Grosvenor Hotel, a Grade II listed property, is located in the heart of Stockbridge, often described as the capital of the world for fly-fishing. The individually designed luxury be...
★★★★    Rating
The Three Cups Inn
Standing on Stockbridge high street, The Three Cups Inn dates from the 15th century. A former coaching inn, it has bags of charm and character and there are many cask ales to try in the...
★★★★    Rating
The Greyhound on the Test
The River Test, famous worldwide for its fishing, flows at the back of this restaurant with rooms. The luxury bedrooms are generally spacious, beautifully styled and come with a host of...
★★★★    Rating
The Peat Spade Inn
In a delightfully tranquil setting between the historic cities of Winchester and Salisbury, Longstock is just north of Stockbridge, in the heart of the Test Valley, known for its fly fi...
★★★★    Rating
Lainston House
Lainston House is a beautiful Queen Anne red brick hotel with 63 acres of gorgeous grounds in Winchester. Staff provide good levels of courtesy and care with a polished, professional se...
Quality Assessed
Running Horse Inn
Situated in a pretty, rural location, yet with easy access to the M3, this is a great location for business and leisure guests visiting Hampshire. Attractive bright & cosy race horse & ...
★★★★    Rating
South Winchester Lodges
South Winchester Lodges are set in peaceful surroundings in the heart of a golf club three miles from the historic Cathedral city of Winchester. Close to the South Coast and New Forest ...
★★★★★    Rating
The Kings Head
The King’s Head Inn, is in the village of Hursley, on the outskirts of Winchester, surrounded by Hampshire Downlands. Southampton airport and cruise terminals are nearby. All 8 en suite...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Market Room
   AA Rosette Award
The Three Cups Inn
The Greyhound on the Test
The Greyhound on the Test
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Market Room
   AA Rosette Award
The Three Cups Inn
The Greyhound on the Test
The Greyhound on the Test
   AA Rosette Award
The Peat Spade Inn
The Peat Spade Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Avenue
   AA Rosette Award
The Running Horse
View all
Route details
1hr 10min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Moderate


Distance:
2.75 miles (4.4kms)

Ascent:
279ft (85m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Hampshire
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
Find more walks in Hampshire

Stockbridge Down

Recommended by
Our view
"Spectacular scenery, ancient earthworks and glorious wildlife characterise the downs overlooking Stockbridge."
Walk details
1hr 10min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
2.75 miles (4.4kms)
Ascent:
279ft (85m)
Walk directions

Leave the car park via the gate and follow the path ahead through woodland. Cross a footpath at a gate on your right and keep ahead up the valley as the woodland falls away on your left. Continue climbing through the trees and emerge at the clearing with the ramparts of Woolbury ahead.
1 of 6

Carry on along the broad main path up the hill, bearing gently right as the path brushes the ramparts near the original southern entrance to the fort. Ignore the turning left and continue beside the ramparts for about 100yds (91m) over the top of the hill. Bear left as a second path leads off right beside the ramparts and curve left through woodland beside the wire fence on your right.
2 of 6

Keep straight on at the end of the trees across rising downland. Pass a bench seat on your left and keep ahead along the grassy path, passing between clumps of bushes and forking right to pass a fenced burial mound.
3 of 6

Ignore the path that swings off left towards the car parks and keep ahead towards the bushes in the far right-hand corner of the site. Go through the gate, cross the B3049 with care and continue down the lane opposite. Continue for about 0.5 miles (800m) until you reach North Park Farm.
4 of 6

Turn left onto the signposted footpath and follow the edge of the woods on your right. Dodge right and left at the corner of the field, cross the stile and follow the path beside woodland. Keep ahead past a broken stile at the corner of the field, continuing through the woods for 100yds (91m) back to the B3049.
5 of 6

Cross with care and keep ahead through the pedestrian gate into the National Trust site. Turn right almost at once and follow the grassy track parallel with the road and into the trees. Finally swing left, then right, back to the car park.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Downland and field-edge paths, minor road and woodland tracks, 1 stile
  Landscape - Downland and wooded arable farmland
  Dog friendliness - Keep on the lead near grazing animals and on roads
  Parking - National Trust car park
  Toilets en route - Stockbridge High Street, by Three Cups Inn
Walks in Hampshire Dog-friendly walks in Hampshire
About the walk
The high slopes of Stockbridge Down command outstanding views of the Test Valley, which includes some of Hampshire’s most alluring rural scenery. Picturesque villages with their ancient churches, pubs and thatched cottages lie folded into the chalk downland, linked by quiet lanes and rural paths. ...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Hampshire
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.
Explore Hampshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
The Grosvenor Hotel Stockbridge
★★★★
awardaward
"The perfect place for fly fishing, shooting, walking and cycling...."
  • Family rooms:
Inn
The Three Cups Inn
★★★★
awardawardaward
"Period inn with lots of character on Stockbridge’s charming high street...."
  • Rooms 11
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Restaurant with Rooms
The Greyhound on the Test
★★★★
awardawardaward
"Charming high street position for stylish rooms and top quality cuisine...."
  • Rooms 10
  • Free TV
  • DVD Player
  • Wifi
Nearby places to stay
The Grosvenor Hotel Stockbridge
The Grosvenor Hotel, a Grade II listed property, is located in the heart of Stockbridge, often described as the capital of the world for fly-fishing. The individually designed luxury be...
★★★★    Rating
The Three Cups Inn
Standing on Stockbridge high street, The Three Cups Inn dates from the 15th century. A former coaching inn, it has bags of charm and character and there are many cask ales to try in the...
★★★★    Rating
The Greyhound on the Test
The River Test, famous worldwide for its fishing, flows at the back of this restaurant with rooms. The luxury bedrooms are generally spacious, beautifully styled and come with a host of...
★★★★    Rating
The Peat Spade Inn
In a delightfully tranquil setting between the historic cities of Winchester and Salisbury, Longstock is just north of Stockbridge, in the heart of the Test Valley, known for its fly fi...
★★★★    Rating
Lainston House
Lainston House is a beautiful Queen Anne red brick hotel with 63 acres of gorgeous grounds in Winchester. Staff provide good levels of courtesy and care with a polished, professional se...
Quality Assessed
Running Horse Inn
Situated in a pretty, rural location, yet with easy access to the M3, this is a great location for business and leisure guests visiting Hampshire. Attractive bright & cosy race horse & ...
★★★★    Rating
South Winchester Lodges
South Winchester Lodges are set in peaceful surroundings in the heart of a golf club three miles from the historic Cathedral city of Winchester. Close to the South Coast and New Forest ...
★★★★★    Rating
The Kings Head
The King’s Head Inn, is in the village of Hursley, on the outskirts of Winchester, surrounded by Hampshire Downlands. Southampton airport and cruise terminals are nearby. All 8 en suite...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Market Room
   AA Rosette Award
The Three Cups Inn
The Greyhound on the Test
The Greyhound on the Test
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Market Room
   AA Rosette Award
The Three Cups Inn
The Greyhound on the Test
The Greyhound on the Test
   AA Rosette Award
The Peat Spade Inn
The Peat Spade Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Avenue
   AA Rosette Award
The Running Horse
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby