Stroud & Lythe Hanger
Petersfield
Children will enjoy the small play area and the pub garden on this walk.
Views across rolling farmland to Butser Hill beyond.
The Basics
Time: 1hr 50mins
Distance: 5.8 km
Terrain: Some steep uphill steps, a steep descent that could be slippery in wet weather, busy road crossing, lots of sheep in fields.
Pushchairs: No
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk but not in the play area and must be on leads around the sheep.
Refreshments: The Seven Stars pub in Stroud.
Toilets: There are no public toilets on this walk.
Public Transport: Stagecoach service 67 between Petersfield and Winchester stops at the pub.
Parking: If you are not visiting the pub, alternative parking can usually be found on Ramsdean Road (Postcode: GU32 3FS - W3W:///hazel.included.bounty)
There are bluebells in Lythe Hanger during spring
Starting from a popular pub on the outskirts of Petersfield, that has heaps of attractive outdoor dining space, this walk climbs through farmland to a ridge, where there are views to Butser Hill. The countryside is blissfully peaceful and you will enjoy a sprinkling of bluebells on the descent.
The Route
Cross the road to the opposite side to the pub and follow the footpath arrow up Rothercombe Lane, to the right of the care home. Look out for the first footpath arrow on your left before you reach Rothercombe Farm, and follow it into a field (the following fields are all likely to have sheep in). Cross the field with a low electric fence to your right and then got through the kissing gate at the end. It is tricky to see the path in the next field, but if you head in the direction that the finger post at the gate is pointing across the corner of the field, you should be on the right track. At the side of this field, beside an oak tree, look for another gate going out onto the farm track. Go left at the track and then go through a kissing gate into another field and then up to a further kissing gate at the top of this field.
Enter the trees and climb the large, steep steps. When you reach the top, follow the footpath arrow and join the worn path veering left across the field. Go through a kissing gate into another field and follow the path going down the hill to yet another kissing gate in the bottom left hand corner. After this gate the path heads up the hill, veering to the left on the worn path to the kissing gate at the top. Look back here for some lovely views towards Butser Hill. Go through the gate and along the edge of Great Hanger.
Continue straight ahead until you almost emerge out of the trees into a field next to a rambling box hedge. Turn right at this point, keeping under the trees and then after just a few metres, turn left at the path junction to keep with the public right of way. This path will bring you out into a field and when you see the footpath arrow, turn right, going up the farm track. As you approach Ridge Farm, go around the gate and cross the edge of the farm towards the lane. Turn right at the lane.
Although the lane is open to vehicles, it is more of a track than a road, so you should be fine walking here with children. Continue until you come to a junction. At this point, the lane really does become a track and you should continue straight forward. When you see eight posts sticking up from the ground, turn right and begin your descent through Lythe Hanger.
In spring, you should pass patches of bluebells on your way down to the sides of the path. At the bottom of the hill, veer left and pass a bench on your right. Continue down the path and pass the farm buildings of Lythe Farm. Ignore the footpath marker at Briar Farm on your left, but instead continue down the tarmac drive. When you arrive at Stroud Church, turn right and walk along the lane. Just before a 30 mile an hour sign, turn right up the footpath going tightly between hedges.
Bear left, cutting across the corner of the field on the worn footpath. You will now be on the approach back to Rothercombe Farm, where you first started and should continue forward, cutting through a series of sheep paddocks to arrive back at Rothercombe Farm. Turn left at the track and return to the pub.
There is a small public play area along Ramsdean Road, just past Langrish Primary School. It also has a picnic bench.
Did you know?
In 1908 a Roman Villa was unearthed in Stroud during excavations, complete with Roman baths, a farmhouse and a led coffin.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this another wooded hillside at the nearby Ashford Hanger
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