PETERSFIELD

OS Map: Explorer 133; 132

The country town of Petersfield lies near the head of the broad Rother Valley within the East Hampshire AONB. To the south and west of the town the land rises onto chalk downland, a westerly continuation of the Sussex Downs typified by undulating hills, dry valleys and scattered coppices. Just 5km south of the town the downs rise to nearly 300m at Butser Hill, from where there are magnificent views as far as the Isle of Wight. Below Butser Hill, nestled in the valley, the charming village of Buriton has pretty cottages and a Georgian manor house.

To the north of Petersfield as far as Alton are East Hampshire's famous 'hanger' woodlands. These broadleaf woods of beech, ash, wych elm and lime are regarded as amongst the most important of their type in England. The charming villages, quiet lanes and steep wooded scarp hillsides lend a sense of intimacy to the landscape. The Hangers Way path, which passes right through the area from Alton to south of Petersfield, is the ideal way to explore this area, but many short circular walks are possible.

Selborne: [SU742335]

Selborne was made famous by The Rev. Gilbert White when he published The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne in 1789. The illustrated book was based on White's records of wildlife observation, and is still in print today, a testimony to it's fascinating insight into 18th century English country life. His house, The Wakes, is now a memorial library and museum and draws quite a few visitors to the village.

There is a fine view of Selborne, much appreciated by Gilbert White, from Selborne Hanger (NT). The steep climb is aided by the popular zig-zag path through the hanger which Gilbert White helped to build. In fact, this whole secluded area feels as though little has changed since his time, but, of course, this is a fragile illusion. From Selborne Hanger you can continue southeast to Noar hill where there are fine views eastward.

 

Ludshott Common (NT): Start at Grayshott [SU874355]

Right on the eastern border of Hampshire where it joins with Surrey and Sussex there is an area of rolling heathland. One of the best examples of this habitat is the National Trust's Ludshott Common. If you visit the Witley Common Visitor Centre just over the border in Surrey [SU920398] you can obtain information about the heathland flora and fauna and the issues the Trust faces is managing and preserving this environment.

From Grayshott you can walk to the Waggoners Wells, a series of ponds at different levels which may have been originally built for the iron industry, although there is some dispute about this. From here you can continue north to the village of Churt, returning by paths and lanes to Grayshott.