Farley Mount Country Park
Children will enjoy the woodland play area, spotting Exmoor ponies and getting inside the monument on top of the hill on this walk.
The Basics
Time: 20 minutes to the monument and back, 1 hour to the monument and Parnholt Wood and back, 35 minutes to the play area and back
Distance: 1km to the monument and back, 4km to the monument and Parnholt Wood and back, 2km to the play area and back
Terrain: The walk to the monument is uphill with a mostly wide and even path. The walk to Parnholt Wood gets progressively narrow and uneven before reaching wide, gravelled forestry tracks. The walk to the play area involves grassy paths, kissing gates and a steep descent/ascent.
Pushchair: We wouldn’t say any of the paths are ideal, but a decent off-roader might handle some of them, particularly the one up to the monument.
Dogs: Yes, but they must be on leads in the sections with ponies grazing.
Refreshments: None
Toilets: None
Parking: There are a number of small free car parks along Farley Mount Road. We chose Monument car park, the postcode will not take you exactly there. Use What Three Words or find pin on Google Maps. Google Maps says it is permanently closed - it isn’t. (Postcode: SO21 2JG - W3W: stickler/boarding/explain)
Just west of Winchester, this country park has miles of forestry paths to explore as well as chalk downland topped with a folly which has an interesting tale to tale. Keep your eye out for the little natural play area in the woodland. In Spring, an extension to Parnholt Wood to see the bluebells is well worth the effort.
The Route
For this walk, rather than offer you a circular route, we have described three linear walks to our favourite points of interest at the country park. In addition to these, you can very easily uses the forestry tracks in West Wood to create your own woodland walk.
Farley Mount and Monument: For this walk, we recommend parking at Monument car park. Exit along the path at the opposite end to the vehicle entrance and simply follow this path gradually uphill until you see a path on your left. You will spot the white peak of the monument and should head towards it. There are 360 views from the top with well placed benches that make a nice stop for a picnic. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MONUMENT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR CONSERVATION WORK - MAY 2024.
Parnholt Wood: For some beautiful countryside views and an outstanding bluebell display in April/May, you can extend your route to the monument to include Parnholt Wood. To do this, return to the main path after viewing the monument and continue walking away from the car park. Wonderful views of rolling countryside will open up to your right. Continue until you reach the head of the woodland. Fork left here onto the ‘restricted byway’ path. We just walked along here and the bluebells steadily came into view. First mixed in with stitchhwort and other wild flowers in a wild and rambling way, and then in neat carpets beneath the beech trees. We returned the way we came.
Woodland Play Area and West Wood: From the monument car park, leave the car park and cross the road. Enter the next car park on the opposite side of the road and at the end of this, go through the gate. Cross the open space on the other side by following the worn path in a straight line until you reach another gate on the other side. Cross the tarmac area with two storage containers and out the next gate. Walk in a straight line under trees until you cross a path. Go through the gate opposite into another large open space with scrubby trees and bushes (this section has ponies grazing and dogs should be on leads). Standing at the gate, look for the grassy path to the left of the scrub that will go diagonally down the space. At the bottom right corner of this area, you will find a large wooden gate and fence. Go through this and turn immediately left. You will see the sign for West Wood. Just on your left here, inside the trees, is the play area with a couple of toddler swings, large balance beams and huge stepping stones. There are also some easy to follow, straight forestry tracks through the woodland here if you want to explore further.
Did you know?
The monument actually marks the position of the grave of race horse, Beware Chalk Pit, who earned his name when he fell into a twenty-five foot deep chalk pit whilst out hunting.
In West Wood, a Roman villa was excavated in 1965 when a nearly complete mosaic was discovered. It can now be found in the Winchester Museum.
If you liked this walk…
…try this one at Crab Wood which is very nearby and is one of our absolute favourite places to find bluebells.
