Tilford - Stocksbridge – Yagden Hill – Lions Mouth - Stocksbridge

Jean Shepherd

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Hankley Common is a nature reserve and a site of Special Scientific Interest with woodland and lowland heath habitats. Bird species include nightjars, Dartford Warblers, and, in winter, crossbills.

It is a popular film location – 1917, The Kings Man, The Man from UNCLE, Macbeth, the James Bond films The World is not Enough, Die Another Day and Skyfall all feature scenes shot at Hankley Common as well as episodes of Dr Who and Blackadder.

Hankley Common belongs to the Ministry of Defence and occasionally parts are closed to public access owing to military exercises. Visitors are warned not to touch any military items they may find eg spent bullets etc.

During World War II Canadian troops were stationed here and in 1943 the Atlantic or Canadian Wall was constructed using concrete reinforced with steel. It was meant to replicate the sea defences on the French coast and was used by the Canadian troops to develop and practice techniques to breach those defences in preparation for the D-day landings.

Over the years the wall has been colonised by alkali loving vegetation owing to the lime content in the concrete, creating an unusual alkaline island in the middle of the otherwise acidic soils of the heathland. You can view the Atlantic Wall by making a short detour from waymark 5.

The route passes by a pleasant fishing lake and then over heathland to the top of Yagden Hill which is a good viewpoint. Following a steep descent, it continues below the crest of the ridge before returning over the golf course.

Although the walk is graded easy the final ascent to the top of Yagden Hill and the descent the other side are steep. Both can be avoided by turning right at waymark 3 and then left at the next cross tracks. You will then re-join the route above the golf course after the steep descent.
There are no stiles on the route.

England - South England - Surrey - Common or Park