Danebury Hill Fort
Stockbridge
On this walk, children will enjoy climbing the mounds, running around the ramparts, spotting the ponies and discovering tree swings and dens.
It is great fun sliding and rolling down the hills whilst the adults enjoy the views
Ambling Path members get 10% off beverages and free syrups at Amerley's
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Ambling Path members get 10% off beverages and free syrups at Amerley's 🍵 Sign up below 🍵
Please note Amerley’s will only be at Danebury on Friday this week (23/01/26)
The Basics
Time: It will take around 40 minutes to walk up the hill fort and around the circumference and back, but allow plenty more time for explorations!
Distance: 2.2 km / 1.4 miles
Terrain: One steep but short climb and then rough, chalky paths. Lots of slopes if you plan to explore fully.
Pushchair: The route is not ideal due to gradient and rough paths, but the determined could probably manage some of it.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome, although it is a popular spot so leads may be advisable, especially around grazing ponies and cattle.
Refreshments: Amerleys Coffee Van with baked goods from Hoxtons (Friday to Sunday, 9-3)
Toilets: There are public toilets in the top car park in a replica roundhouse.
Public Transport: There is no public transport to this location.
Parking: Two free car parks off Old Stockbridge Road, one smaller one near the road and a larger one at the top of the access road (Postcode: SO20 6HZ - W3W: ///strictly.cork.work)
Children will enjoy running up and down the earthworks of the old ramparts
Standing high above the surrounding countryside, Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort is a site of national importance in terms of archaeology and nature conservation. The spectacular downland setting and the ancient ring of ramparts makes this a very special place to walk around.
The Route
Head up the hill from the car park towards the trig point, then continue upwards towards the ancient earthworks of the hill fort. Once there, you can choose to walk around the circumference in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction and whether to take the outer ring through the trees or the upper ring on the ramparts.
You will find a trig point, far-reaching views, Highland cattle, Exmoor ponies, DIY rope swings, dens, mounds (one with steps), interpretation boards and beech woodland and chalk downland on the slopes. Families could spend hours exploring, playing and picnicking.
Following your walk, we highly recommend stopping in Stockbridge on your way home, which is a gem of a little town sat on the banks of The River Test.
Hampshire County Council Countryside Services have created a story trail to go with this walk, which you can download here
Did you know?
Danebury Iron Age Hillfort is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is believed to have been built around 2500 years ago. A community of between 3-400 people would have lived within the ramparts, ensuring the safety of grain and livestock. The earthworks are still visible to this day and you can read here to find out more about iron age life at the fort.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try another hill fort walk at Old Winchester Hill
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