Our fourth ‘Hike in Hambledon’ offers the ideal way for you to slow down and savour the serenity of the English countryside. This gentle 6km stroll is a perfect post-lunch activity or a leisurely prelude to your vineyard experience, offering just 146 meters of total elevation. A truly tranquil stroll through the South Downs, started and finished at Hambledon Vineyard and exploring the nearby farmland, there’s no better way to enjoy some gentle exercise than this.
Beginning once again from the vineyard, start by joining the public footpath at the top of our Windmill Down West Vineyard, and proceed through the field next door to us, on the public footpath running down the fence. The path meanders downhill, offering you a gentle descent with panoramic views across the Meon Valley. Then, reaching the road, cross over onto a farm track, and follow the first public footpath sign to your right. This walk is ideal for those staying in the accommodation at Wriggly Tin- a lovely glamping site with a range of themed shepherds huts, just a stone’s throw from Hambledon Vineyard. In fact, you can join the route very easily from the site.
Follow the public footpath through a succession of fields- each planted with a different crop, and surrounded by hedgerows, abundant with blackberries, elderberries and sloes at this time of year- a beautiful mosaic of natural produce. This is the season when the countryside is bursting with life. At the end of the fields, you’ll reach Chidden- a small hamlet with chocolate-box cottages- the quintessential British village.
Leaving Chidden behind, you’ll take a footpath that skirts a row of hedges and trees, leading you across another field. This one may feel familiar—it's part of the route from our previous hike to the Bat and Ball. As you continue, you’ll pass by Hambledon Cricket Club, before arriving at our East Block Vineyard, and following the path past the fields of sheep, to our home vineyard. Then, head to our marquee, where you can finish your walk with a guided tasting, or simply a glass of our award-winning sparkling wine.
Our 100km Sponsored Hike for MND
Next week, the team at Hambledon Vineyard will be teaming up with our colleagues at Berry Bros & Rudd, to walk 100km along the South Downs Way, with an aim of raising £100,000 for MND, and our charity partner, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Motor Neurone Disease effects 1 in 300 here in the U.K, half of the people diagnosed die within 24 months, a third within one year. There is currently no cure. The money we raise will enable My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to fund the right research to fast tracking progress, and also help people with the disease live their best lives. The money we will raise will make a true difference. One step, and one penny at a time.
We will take our first steps of this great journey at dawn on Thursday 19th of September. We will depart near the dramatic chalk cliffs of Beachy Head, East Sussex. We will then head West and inland, trekking on flint paths over rolling hills and through the beautiful landscape of the South Downs.
Along the three-day hike, we’ll be visiting English Wine producers, Rathfinny Wine Estate and Wiston Estate Winery, with the final stretch for our well earnt glass of fizz (or two) at our Hambledon Vineyard.
Any donations would be very gratefully received. Click here to visit our JustGiving page.
