Horndean - Blendworth - Finchdean - Chalton

Sylvia Saunders

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A circular walk starting from the Ship and Bell in Horndean, with two further pubs to choose from along the way! This delightful route takes you through varied countryside with far-reaching views along the open downland and as far as the Solent and the Isle of Wight on a clear day.

Passing through the pretty village of Blendworth and the grounds of Idsworth House, where you can see an old ice house, you descend to Finchdean. There is then a gentle climb along the crest of Idsworth and Chalton Down with breathtaking views all around. Dropping down to the village of Chalton, you will find The Red Lion, a very pretty, thatched building and the oldest pub in Hampshire.

Passing close to the Butser Ancient Farm, there is then a steep climb up Windmill Down, but you are well-rewarded with more glorious views and a gentle descent back to Horndean. The Ship and Bell is attached to the old Victorian Gale's Brewery building where sadly they stopped brewing in 2006. Butser Ancient Farm is well worth a visit - here you can find out what life was really like 2,000 years ago. Those of you with dogs might find it useful to know that my dog, a fit, slim Labrador who cannot jump, managed all the stiles with ease, excepting the one at Waymark 14 and another between Waymarks 17 and 18, where I had to heave him over the top!

England - South England - Hampshire - South Downs

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Public Transport, Wildlife, Woodland

5/3/2021 - Nicola Clarke

Beautiful walk,amazing views and scenery and great directions.Highly recommended. Thank you Walkingworld !

11/3/2018 - Maria Louise Houghton

We did this walk recently, the climb up to Windmill Hill, (after a short break at the Red Lion) was well worth it for the fantastic views. Thank you Walkingworld for another great walk.

8/9/2018 - andy hasted

Point 17 stile and fingerpost gone but vertical post remains. Quite a strenuous outing with great views. We started at point 12 and returned to the Red Lion for lunch( recommended)

3/17/2018 - Julius Mach

The main brewery building in Horndean is now a set of apartments and the rest of the brewery site is a housing estate. If doing the walk in the reverse direction be extremely careful on Windmill Hill if it is wet or snowy - the ground gets very slippery and it is quite easy to fall when going downhill.

7/13/2013 - Anne England

We did this walk on a very hot July afternoon, which made the Windmill Hill climb a bit of a challenge! Just wanted to say that, in the first field crossing at the start of the walk, and walking alongside the paddocks at the top of Windmill Hill was quite difficult because both footpaths were badly overgrown and untended. We had bare legs due to the heat, and suffered a lot of nettle stings. Poor maintenance by whoever is responsible for these two parts.

10/10/2009 - Ray Churcher

Another of Sylvia's walks that I tried the opposite way round.This time though my start point was the car park adjacent to the Red Lion public house in Chalton. Avoided the steep climb up Windmill Down! This is a good walk either way with plenty of fine views in all directions. Thank you.

6/14/2006 - Ian and Sarah Jane Lloyd

A wonderful mixed walk with stunning views. We enjoyed this on a very hot and sunny Sunday morning so were able to appreciate the wide ranging views of Hampshire, West Sussex, The Solent and parts of the Isle of Wight. Don't be put off by the thought of climbing Windmill Down as the views will more than compensate you for the effort you make!

5/19/2005 - Ray Churcher

Ray Churcher-My wife and I did this walk on 12/05/05. Excellent walk-lovely views and very little road work. Walk guide very clear. Oh,and we had pretty good weather as well!