Compton Down
Children will enjoy the superb play area at Oliver’s Battery and gelato from Hampshire Pantry.
The Basics
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 5 km
Terrain: A steady hill climb, mostly stony farm tracks, one small narrow, brambly section with uneven terrain
Pushchair: Not for the full loop, as although many of the farm tracks would be suitable, there are some sections which would be too rough and narrow for pushchairs. As a short alternative, it could be possible to walk directly between the park and Hampshire Pantry on a rough grassy path.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome at Hampshire Pantry but are not allowed in the park
Refreshments: Hampshire Pantry with coffee roastery, gelato, farm shop, brunches/lunches and PYO in development such as pumpkin picking
Toilets: At Hampshire Pantry
Parking: There is enough space for 12 cars to park for free at Oliver’s Battery park on Texas Drive (Postcode: SO22 4HT - W3W: spilled/scorpions/worksheet) If this is full, you could change the start point of the walk and park at Hampshire Pantry on Badger Farm Road (Postcode: SO23 9RZ - W3W: escape/notice/tidy)
We were really excited to visit Hampshire Pantry after it opened and a quick study of the map showed us that we could walk directly to the farm by starting at the superb play area at Oliver’s Battery and hiking over Compton Down with lovely views. If you live in the Winchester area, this is bound to become your new favourite weekend walk!
The Route
We started the walk at Oliver’s Battery park which has a great play area with rope bridges, wooden walkways and a viking boat. It is in a really peaceful, tucked away location. Exit the car park at the top of the park and walk straight ahead onto the downs. Take the first track to your left which is a well constructed, stony access track (technically a continuation of Texas Drive).
Follow the track as it goes over open land and then past the gates to a couple of houses. Just beyond the houses, the land will open up again and you should continue straight, going underneath the electricity cables. Continue across the open land until the gate into Yew Hill Nature Reserve on the other side.
Enter the small nature reserve and walk straight across. There are lots of downland wildflowers here and butterflies in summer. On the other side, go out through the second gate and turn immediately left on another well constructed, stony farm track.
Follow the farm track with a hedge to your right and views to your left until it descends to a metal five bar gate. Go around the gate and immediately turn left off the track where there is a bench.
The path now becomes noticeably narrower and rougher and you will need to push back some of the encroaching brambles as you go through. Luckily, the path soon widens again and you will find yourself heading past some trimmed trees and then through a tunnel of trees. At the T-junction, turn left.
The next section consists of a long but not steep climb up a tree covered farm track. There are no paths leading off it until you reach a grassy crosspaths. Turn right here and the grassy track will lead you straight down into the parking area of Hampshire Pantry. See their website for opening times. You will be able to sit outdoors with views of their farmland - including a few sunflowers, under cover in their Insta-worthy barn conversion or out in their picnic patches. Coffee is roasted on site by Blue Hour Coffee, OG make the gelato and you will also be able to order cakes, pastries and lunches.
When finished at the pantry, you will need to make your way back up the grassy track to the crosspaths. This time, continue straight on. There will be a hedge to your right and pony paddocks to your left. Look out for the illustrated sign for a wildlife area through a gate on your right. Oliver’s Battery park is on the other side of the wildlife area.
Depending on how you like to order your walk highlights, you could also start the loop from Hampshire Pantry in section 6 above.
If you only want a short walk, you could start at the park, go through the gate next to the tennis court and through the wildlife area. Go through the gate on the other side, turn left and follow the track past the pony paddocks. Go straight ahead at the crosspaths and follow the grassy track down to Hampshire Pantry. (You should be able to do this with an off-road pushchair)
Did you know?
The Oliver whose battery is referred to in the place name is Oliver Cromwell. It is thought that he had an encampment in the area during the siege of Winchester in the English Civil War.
