Hambledon - South Downs Way - Monarch's Way - Hambledon

Sylvia Saunders

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A circular walk starting from The Bat and Ball Inn, this area is a great favourite of mine, taking in the best of Hampshire's beautiful South Downs with outstanding views all around. The route is varied along quiet country lanes, tracks and field-paths with one steep descent and couple of more gentle climbs.

The Bat and Ball Inn is known as the first headquarters of English cricket (see Walk 2139). The pub is open every day from 11.30am. See https://www.batandballclanfield.co.uk/ for details. Those of you with dogs may find it useful to know that my dog, a slim, fit Labrador who cannot jump, managed the stile on this walk. When I updated this walk, in Sept 2018, there was only one stile left and the gate opened there at the time. All of the others have been replaced by gates.

England - South England - Hampshire - South Downs

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Wildlife, Woodland

8/27/2017 - andy hasted

The Bat and Ball PH was excellent and does half price fish and chips fridays 12-5

4/17/2016 - Ian Reeve

Loved this walk today. easy to follow with some minor differences to the route description causing little trouble. Points to note; Wm 4, as you reach the top of the hill is is very muddy but passable. WM 13, Make sure you take the right hand fork at this point, not the way the finger post is pointing. WM 17 there is no metal gate and no stiles in the field. 17 to 18 there are no fences in this field and no stiles until the end of the field.

11/19/2014 - Jonathan Kershaw

A great walk enjoyed by myself and a work colleague and would recommend to others. With plenty of variety of scenery and terrain along with some stunning views of the downs and Isle of Wight in the distance. I agree that Way Point 8 is a bit tricky as the path is not clearly seen going across the field even though it is showing on our GPS and ordnance survey map, alternative solution is to walk around the field edge which is what we did and only adds 5 minutes to the walk. Good parking at the start by the pub and enjoyed a pint of ale and chips after.

2/23/2011 - sandra Hall

Myself and three work friends done this walk yesterday (22nd February). Superb walk very scenic, easy to follow. Saw piglets, lambs, cows and horses. Wonderful walk, will certainly do again in the summer.

9/30/2009 - Ray Churcher

I enjoyed this walk so much I did it again! The other way round this time and it was a different walk entirely-but just as good.Maybe worth mentioning but at waypoint 8 there is now a definite path across the field as shown on ordnance survey.However,this may well disappear when it is ploughed!.Thanks again.

7/26/2006 - Sylvia Saunders

The stile at WM 16 is now totally lost in the undergrowth - I did report it again - but as the gate opens it is not a problem. All instructions are up to date.

7/26/2006 - Ian and Sarah Jane Lloyd

A wonderful walk in a very quiet area of Hampshire with stunning views at many points along the way. The hot conditions made it more of a challenge but it just goes to show that if you are determined enough to get out and walk in our stunning countryside the weather is never a real issue.

2/9/2006 - Ray Churcher

Did this one on 9/2/06-a really brilliant sunny winters day. Everything was as normal with Sylvia's walks. Easy to follow directons, good photo's etc. A really pleasant walk with fantastic views all around. I must just mention that the dodgy stile at point 16 is still not fixed. Maybe it's early days yet!! Thank you, Ray Churcher