Hampshire

Battle of Cheriton walk

The Battle of Cheriton was a major turning point in the English Civil War and resulted in an important Parliamentarian victory that helped shape the future of England. Starting at Hinton Ampner church, this trail follows in the footsteps of the men who fought on both sides of this important battle.

Near to

Hinton Ampner

Start point

Hinton Ampner church, Bramdean, SO24 0LA grid reference: SU597275

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 5 (km: 8)

Duration2 hours to 2 hours 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Some of the pathways can be narrow so please consider other path users. For further details, please see section marked Terrain.
**Designated parking and accessible toilets available. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leads at all times. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Beware of traffic

There is a section at the beginning and end of the trail where you will need to cross a busy A-road. Please be aware of fast-moving traffic.

Address
Hinton Ampner, Bramdean, SO24 0LA
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Winchester station 9 miles; Petersfield station 10 miles; Alresford station (Mid-Hants Railway steam railway, linked via mainline services at Alton) 4 miles. See bus details for transfers to Hinton Ampner.
On foot
Arrival on foot to main gates off the A272. Make your way up the main driveway to visitor reception using the gates next to both cattle grids.
Arrival from direct access from Wayfarers Way, linked to South Downs Way, please report to reception at far end of the main drive on arrival.
By bus
Winchester to Petersfield via Alresford (passing close to Winchester and Alresford train stations and passing Petersfield train station). Number 67 Velvet bus (no Sunday service) 10-minute walk eastbound bus stop, 20-minute walk westbound bus stop.
Cycling
Arrival from main entrance gates on A272, via the visitor reception.
By road
On A272, 1 mile (1.6km) west of Bramdean village, 8 miles east of Winchester. Leave M3 at exit 9 and follow signs to Petersfield.
Use postcode SO24 0NH for satnav. This is the postcode for the Hinton arms pub which is 20 metres west from main entrance gates. The house postcode will direct you to the wrong entrance.
Accessible toilets/baby-changing facilities by mansion in courtyard. Car park with mobility parking available.
Designated parking
Car parking is located at the end of the drive off the A272 and tickets can be booked through main ticket system.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilet located in the courtyard to the right of the mansion, within the pay barrier of Hinton Ampner.
Steps/uneven terrain
Many sections are hilly and uneven and not suitable for wheelchair users.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Hinton Ampner church, Bramdean, SO24 0LA grid reference: SU597275
Stage 1
Start off at the church in the grounds at Hinton Ampner then walk down Hinton Hill towards the A272.
Stage 2
Cross the main road onto a farm track directly opposite (which then leads to a footpath).
The place Parliamentary troops gathered
On the morning of 29 March 1644, the eve of battle, a thick mist lingered in the valley and clung to the slopes of the ridge of high ground behind where you stand now. As you walk on, look to the fields on your right. This is where the 10,000 strong Parliamentary force would have gathered before going into battle. To the rear were the cannon and, in the centre, the main body of troops, pikemen and musketeers, flanked to left and right by cavalry.
Stage 3
After a short walk up the hill you will reach a crossroad of footpaths. Turn right and walk for about a mile.
Seventeenth century conflict comes to life | © National Trust/Neil Davidson
Stage 4
Just before you reach the road, veer left following the margin of the field to the top right-hand corner, then walk through the gap in the hedge onto a farm track walking left up the hill.
Stage 5
Continue on for a mile and a half with Cheriton Wood to your right-hand side.
Stage 6
You should now be joining up with a road. Follow it round to the right, walking towards the site of a memorial commemorating the troops from both sides who lost their lives during the battle.
Battle of Cheriton memorial
Pause for a moment at the memorial plaque dedicated to those who fought in the Battle of Cheriton. This high ground would have been occupied by the Royalist force and offers the best view of the battlefield. You can see Cheriton Wood, taken by Royalists, on the left, while the main Parliamentary army would have been assembled in the middle distance, obscured by East Down. Hopton moved his troops forward onto this ridge.
Visit the memorial plaque remembering those who fought at the Battle of Cheriton | © National Trust/ Elizabeth Isherwood
Stage 7
Retrace your steps on Badshear Road walking for a mile, then turn left off the road past some barns and back onto a farm track and footpaths.
Explore the estate and surrounding area | © National Trust/ Elizabeth Isherwood
Stage 8
At the top of the ridge (a half-mile walk from road) turn right, then follow the ridge along for half a mile before turning left down the footpath.
Stage 9
At the next footpath crossroad head straight down into Cheriton village.
Stage 10
When you reach the village road, turn left following the road to the main road (A272). Then turn left again at the main road, past The Hinton Arms pub and on to the entrance of the parkland.
End point
Hinton Ampner car park, SO24 0LA grid reference: SU592278
Trail map
Map route for Battle of Cheriton walk, Hinton Ampner | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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01962771305

hintonampner@nationaltrust.org.uk

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