Downlands around Ashmansworth

The far northwest corner of Hampshire is dominated by a stretch of high chalk downland tumbling across the Berkshire border close to Walbury Hill, the highest chalk hill in England at 947ft (288m). Commonly known as the North Hampshire Downs, this is a remote and peaceful area, with an impressive chalk ridge that affords a magnificent panorama north across Newbury and Berkshire, and west into Wiltshire. South of this lofty escarpment lie rolling hills dotted with ancient woodland, hidden combes and seemingly unchanging isolated communities.

Hill Country

The far northwest corner of Hampshire is dominated by a stretch of high chalk downland tumbling across the Berkshire border close to Walbury Hill, the highest chalk hill in England at 947ft (288m). Commonly known as the North Hampshire Downs, this is a remote and peaceful area, with an impressive chalk ridge that affords a magnificent panorama north across Newbury and Berkshire, and west into Wiltshire. South of this lofty escarpment lie rolling hills dotted with ancient woodland, hidden combes and seemingly unchanging isolated communities.

Highest Point

The far northwest corner of Hampshire is dominated by a stretch of high chalk downland tumbling across the Berkshire border close to Walbury Hill, the highest chalk hill in England at 947ft (288m). Commonly known as the North Hampshire Downs, this is a remote and peaceful area, with an impressive chalk ridge that affords a magnificent panorama north across Newbury and Berkshire, and west into Wiltshire. South of this lofty escarpment lie rolling hills dotted with ancient woodland, hidden combes and seemingly unchanging isolated communities.

Walk north along the village street, keeping ahead at the fork, signed to ‘Newbury & Highclere’. In 0.25 miles (400m), just before you reach a house (Wychpits), turn left along a byway (Wayfarer’s Walk or WW). Keep to this ancient track along the ridge and beside Bunkhanger Copse to a lane.

Turn right and savour the far-reaching views north. In 0.25 miles (400m), bear off left with a WW marker and signed to Charldown, as the lane begins to descend. Follow the stony track along the ridge, passing Charldown and over a low gate, bearing left then right to walk along a field to a crossing of paths.

Turn left and head straight across the field (this is Pilot Hill) to a stile beside a large oak. Bear left along the field edge, crossing another stile, then turn right onto a stony track alongside woodland. Steeply descend into a combe, keep ahead at a crossing of tracks and gradually climb, the track eventually merging with a metalled lane.

Bear left into Faccombe and turn left along the village street. Pass the church on your right, and keep the wall of Faccombe Manor on your left. Then turn left (signed ‘Ashmansworth’) by the side of the Manor. In 200yds (183m), take the arrowed path left beside double gates.

Keep to the left-hand field edge, following the track right, and steeply descend through woodland. At a junction of tracks, on the edge of a field, bear right to pass two brick-and-flint buildings (Curzon Street Farm).

Proceed straight ahead at the crossing of tracks and keep to the main track as it steeply ascends the valley side into woodland. On entering the woodland bear right on wide track, emerge from the trees and keep on the track beside Privet Copse. Where the track forks, take the right fork across the field to join a narrow path straight ahead (as marked by a yellow arrow on a post) through a copse.

Drop down onto a track, bear left then immediately right and steeply climb to a gap beside a gate. Then turn left along the road, following it uphill back into Ashmansworth.