Hannington and the Wayfarers Walk

Richard Clayton

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This is an excellent circular walk, on the 'moderate' side of easy as there is some climbing, but you are rewarded with the views. The walk starts and finishes in the pretty village of Hannington. The first part of the route takes you out of the village and through fields and ancient byways up on to Cottington’s Hill. You then join the Wayfarer’s Walk as it heads southeast on its 70 mile journey to the coast near Hayling Island.

As well as encountering the Wayfarer’s Walk, your route twice crosses the ancient Portway, the Roman road that runs from Silchester to Old Sarum near Salisbury.

Formed in 1972, the North Wessex Downs Area of Natural Beauty is the largest in south-east England. Hannington lies in its south east corner.

The Vine in Hannington is a popular pub/restaurant where you can have everything from a drink and snack to a meal.

Hannington is also the name given to the nearby 498 ft television and radio transmitting station on Cottington’s Hill.

Not a lot of people know this : On a Saturday in November 1977, broadcasts from this transmitter were hi-jacked by unknown agents who blocked the UHF audio signal of transmissions from the local ITV station Southern Television and broadcast their own audio message, purporting to be from an institution calling itself the Ashtar Galactic Command. The message, transmitted over an ITN News bulletin, lasted six minutes.

Despite extensive investigations by Hampshire Police, the Independent Broadcasting Authority and Southern Television, those responsible have never been identified. The potential culprits have ranged from students to university professors to disgruntled television technicians.

Walk updated with some slight amendments March 2017

England - South England - Hampshire - Countryside

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Church, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Pub, Restaurant, Wildlife

11/11/2015 - Neil Packham

Even on a dull and blustery autumn day the fantastic views made this a must. I started from the White Hill car park near 12 which is a good alternative if you fancy visiting the pub half-way(ish). The stiles at 7, 8 and 9 have all been replaced by metal kissing gates. At 7 the waymarkers at the fork are visible on the tree between the two paths. The waymarkers at the path junction at 13 have now been restored.

6/1/2013 - Jane Lowe

We have done this walk twice now and thoroughly enjoyed it both times - as did our labrador. Some of the views are spectacular. One previous comment mentioned going wrong at Point 9. We didn't go wrong there but found the first sentence 'with the mast towering above you', a little confusing as the correct turning is actually a little way past the mast. Excellent walk though.

3/23/2010 - Patricia Daw

21-3-10 Tricia Daw Just completed this walk on a glorious spring day. Had lunch in The Vine before we set off - very nice pub. Good directions until point 9 where we went slightly lost but using an OS map got back on track quite easily. The first part of the walk to the mast is the best because of the views. Was very wet underfoot due to yesterday's downpour - came back an inch taller!!

2/2/2010 - Tim Thornton

We did this walk yesterday with a walking group, started from the White Hill car park (which is 100 yards or so from the start of point 12) and had a light lunch (very good) at the Vine halfway round. Everyone enjoyed the views, and the mixed terrain. Excellent directions.

3/13/2009 - juliet curtis

I joined this site just a few weeks ago and this was our first walk. My two children and partner plus our energetic cocker spaniel started by having a drink in the Vine pub garden before embarking on this wonderful scenic walk. The directions we perfect and totally fool proof. We took a flask of coffee and a few snacks and sat and enjoyed them whilst looking at one of the tremendous views. Thank you Richard for sharing this walk with everyone. Juliet and family

1/28/2009 - Paul Finch

We completed this walk yesterday on what turned out to be quite a nice day. We agreed that the climbs were not at all strenuous so would confirm that the walk should be graded "Easy". After all it is on the Downs and without some climbing you would not have the great views - stop for a breather and enjoy them. The Vine is a welcoming pub with good food but I would certainly suggest checking their opening times as they were not open all day currently. A great walk, thanks and well done.

7/10/2008 - Walkingworld Administrator

With thanks to Richard Clayton for rewalking and recreating this walk. July 2008.

6/25/2006 - Chris Christodoulou

I completed this walk on a warm clear day (25th June 06) with 6 other people, we all agreed that it was not correct to state "Very little climbing" -"Easy Walk" We all found it quite a demanding walk in places, but agreed the views were excellent and worth the effort, but not on a day with poor visability. 'The Vine' is open all day. Chris Christodoulou.