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.

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.

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Total steps: 10

Start point

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

Step 1

Start off at the church in the grounds at Hinton Ampner then walk down Hinton Hill towards the A272.

Step 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.

Step 3

After a short walk up the hill you will reach a crossroad of footpaths. Turn right and walk for about a mile.

Civil War musketeers at Corfe Castle — Seventeenth century conflict comes to life | © National Trust/Neil Davidson

Step 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.

Step 5

Continue on for a mile and a half with Cheriton Wood to your right-hand side.

Step 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.

Memorial plaque for the Battle of Cheriton. Hampshire — Visit the memorial plaque remembering those who fought at the Battle of Cheriton | © National Trust/ Elizabeth Isherwood

Step 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.

Footpath on the route of the Battle of Cheriton in Hampshire — Explore the estate and surrounding area | © National Trust/ Elizabeth Isherwood

Step 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.

Step 9

At the next footpath crossroad head straight down into Cheriton village.

Step 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, Hampshire — Map route for Battle of Cheriton walk, Hinton Ampner | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

A view across the fields to the house at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire

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View towards the house across the estate at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire

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Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0LA

01962771305

hintonampner@nationaltrust.org.uk

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