Oakhanger - Selborne - Oakhanger

Andrew Long

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This walk is one of many in this area that follows natural formations called 'hangers'. The term hanger is derived from old English 'hangra', meaning a wooded slope. The walk then follows the meadow plains of Oakhanger Stream back to Oakhanger itself. The walk also encircles the mysterious 'golf balls' that form part of the listening station at RAF Oakhanger. You won't find them mentioned on too many maps and anyone hoping for a close inspection may find themselves 'strongly discouraged'!

England - South England - Hampshire - Countryside

Features

Church, Great Views, Museum, National Trust, Pub, River, Wildlife, Woodland

4/11/2021 - Andrew Long

Walk reviewed and updated by contributor on 11 April. Pub details updated. Photos updated for 01 and 07. Walk length extended.

3/31/2021 - Neil Packham

The old Red Lion is now “The Hanger’, the free car park behind the Selborne Arms near WM20 makes a good start point. Directions still feel up-to-date and easily followed, though this is considerably longer than referenced at a measured 7.5 miles by GPS. The bridleway through Pheasant’s Wood at WM8 is of the kind that gets dry-ish for about 2 weeks at the end of August (maybe) so good waterproof boots are advised year-round!

1/13/2019 - Patricia Daw

12/01/18 We completed this pleasant walk on a dull Saturday in January. The first thing to note is that the pub in Oakhanger, like so many, has been closed. We managed to park on the verge near the houses in WM3. We have not had any serious rain for three weeks or so, most of the terrain was therefore ok but I would not recommend this walk after heavy rain. At WM14 there were some cattle in the top right corner (we had encountered these on a previous walk from East Worldham) but they took no interest in us but we did walk quickly through that field! It is worth taking a look at the lovely stained glass windows in the church at Selbourne. Another pub that has closed is The Queens but as of 2018 there is now a lovely café attached to the Gilbert White centre where we had a delicious and healthy lunch. However, a word of warning Selbourne has very poor mobile signal so once lunch was finished we found it very difficult to get back on the app (wifi in the café hadn't worked). We did succeed by walking a few yards past the church then snapping a photo of the remaining waymarks just in case but once we were out of the village normal service was resumed but we will take a back up with us in the future!

6/30/2011 - Andrew Long

Reviewed and updated by Andrew Long.

5/4/2010 - Adrian Perkins

Further to Zuzana Blackburn's frightening experience, David & Chris have written an excellent article on walkers and cattle. It can be found at: http://www.walkingworld.com/home/index.asp?id=44&nid=491

5/4/2010 - Zuzana Blackburn

CAUTION!!!! Did the walk yesterday 1st May 2010 and would like to caution everyone as we got attacked by the cattle at a point 26! We have been very lucky as apart from bruises and a very mild concussion we managed to escape. We have done all suggested, walk the perimeter avoiding the cows, dogs on the lead etc and yet we were still attacked. Please avoid any cattle if you can as the farmer is aware he has a problem yet no warning signs are in the fields.

4/30/2007 - Anne Carew

We did this walk April 2007 and the cattle trough at point 7 has gone. At point 8 you are now walking in the stream (only a small trickle but made the ground quite muddy even after a few very dry weeks) it has been diverted at the top of the path to flow down the path rather than the stream? We did the walk from the written instructions only (no pictures) and got lost at the farm at point 23 as the yellow marker has gone. We asked at the farm and got sent on a huge loop around it! We also 'mislaid ourselves' at point seven but if we had had the photos we would have been OK. Apart from that, it's a beautiful walk and we saw plenty of wildlife. The dogs loved it as there is plenty of water along the way to drink and cool down in. Many thanks, Anne.

8/10/2006 - Alan Toogood

3+ stars. A very good walk, although a bit too much farmland for our liking. The Red Lion is a nice pub. The food and beer was excellent, but avoid the house wine! We went astray at points 16 and 28/29, maybe because of changes on the ground. Priory Farm was difficult to negotiate, but the dogs were harmless despite their barking. Thanks. Alan.