Hikes in Hambledon: The Vineyard & Village Loop

Once again, we approach a Bank Holiday Weekend, and for those of us lucky enough to enjoy an extra day of rest, it’s an opportunity to make the most of those extra sun-drenched hours to ourselves. Whether you’re spending it with family, friends, or enjoying some much-needed alone time, the burst of beautiful weather that we’re having is the best excuse to get outdoors and enjoy the wonderful rolling countryside around us.

The ‘Vineyard and Village Loop’
4.21km | 118m Elevation | Est Time: 1 hr – 1 hr 15 min

Beginning at Hambledon Wine Estate, join the public footpath that runs diagonally through our Windmill Down West vineyard. It’s the starting point of many wonderful walking routes, and the gentle slope of the field, lined with row upon row of vines and dotted with daisies, dandelions, and clovers, is a beautiful introduction to our inimitable pocket of the South Downs.

You’ll know when you reach the end of the field when you find a short patch of tarmac in front of Hambledon Primary School. From here, carry on straight into the churchyard. You may be tempted to head downwards through the arch of trees to explore the centuries-old church and its graveyard. Don’t do this just yet. Instead, carry on straight on the top path, which then leads you past the village badminton courts and then through a pathway between adjacent fields. On one side, you may see horses enjoying the sunshine in their paddock. On the other, this year’s crop, perhaps with hares frolicking between rows of planting.

At the end of this pathway, head through a gate and go straight across Stewart’s Green, a small close of houses with a green directly in the centre. When you reach Green Lane, take care of cars, as this road can be busy, and cross onto a small area of open grass with a public footpath, which leads you behind some houses and upwards into a patch of peaceful woodland. This section of pathway is relatively steep and can be slippery after rain, so do take care here. When you reach the top, however, the effort is well worth it. Take a sharp left turn when you reach a fork in the path, and at this time of year, you’ll find the forest floor is bespeckled with fragrant bluebells, with the verdant first leaves of spring creating a beautifully colourful canopy. Part of this woodland has been sectioned away for conservation, allowing its natural inhabitants, including deer, foxes, badgers, mice, and more, to thrive. You may even be lucky enough to spot one on a quiet day. Why not stop here a moment? It’s a beautiful spot to enjoy a peaceful moment among the trees.

Continuing straight on the well-marked footpath, you’ll leave the trees and be greeted with a beautiful view across our village. You’ll be able to spot the church, the edge of our vineyards, and the houses dotted along the hanger that encloses Hambledon in an idyllic valley, as well as the hills to our east. When you reach some newly installed gates, you’ll turn downwards on a tree-lined pathway back to the village. At the end of this path, you’ll emerge at a black-and-white signpost pointing to the village centre, Denmead, Droxford, and Corhampton. Cross the road and follow the Denmead sign for just a moment until you reach a nondescript public footpath at the end of a row of white and green painted cottages. Follow this straight and up a short flight of stairs. This will then take you to National Trust-managed Speltham Down, an area of grassland and tree-lined hills that skirt the southern edge of the village. Helpfully, at these gates, there are colour-coded signs to indicate livestock in the fields and whether dogs should be on leads.

Go through the left gate, heading east, and you’ll be greeted with a field dotted with cowslips, a now rare relation to the primrose, which traditionally has marked May Day celebrations in England, fitting for the Early May Bank Holiday. Often, there will be a herd of Herdwick sheep grazing on this pasture, a breed most often seen in the harsher climes of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. At the end of this pasture, you’ll come out on Speltham Hill. This requires a short downhill walk along the road, so take care here, at the end of which you’ll come out in the village centre, a place that has barely changed over the course of a century.

From here, the route back to the start is simple. Head upwards through the churchyard, now is your opportunity to explore a little more, and re-enter the vineyard through the diagonal path on which you began.

When you reach the top of the path, why not drop into The Restaurant for a drink on the terrace, which can be enjoyed while looking directly at the hill you stood on only an hour ago. As the sun goes down, the sky to the west will often turn a vivid shade of coral and amber, and seeing it is a fitting reward for your exertions. For Great British Rosé Week, we’ve developed a menu of blush-toned cocktails to celebrate. Not only do they highlight the complexity of an often under-recognised style of wine, but they also utilise fresh, seasonal flavours. Or, if you feel like heading home, stop by the Cellar Door Shop to pick up a chilled bottle of sparkling wine to enjoy over the weekend.