Stand at the Top of Hampshire on Butser Hill, Horndean
Butser Hill is one of the highest points in Hampshire with a story trail, kite flying and beautiful views that stretch out across the South Downs and onto Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and the Solent.
Butser Hill
At the very top of the hill is a wide open space with grazing sheep, an Ordnance Survey triangulation point and a large aerial mast and station (although you cannot go inside).
Queen Elizabeth Country Park
At the bottom of the hill is Queen Elizabeth Country Park, which has play areas, orienteering trails, nature spots and picnic and BBQ areas.
Reaching the Top
You can either walk up Butser Hill from Queen Elizabeth Country Park or drive up from the A3.
I considered walking but the Visitors’ Centre staff advised against taking a buggy on the walk.
From the Butser Hill Car Park
It only took us fifteen minutes to walk from the car park on Butser Hill to the top of the hill (at a toddler’s pace). The paths were covered in rough, clumpy grass but there were paths mown through it.
Beware the Dragon of Butser Hill
The Butser Hill Story Trail runs around the top of the hill. The story trail is called “The Dragon of Butser Hill” and tells you a story about knights, damsels, giants and dragons as it winds around the hilltop.
Hampshire CC’s Story Trails
This is one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails. These are walks with interactive stories to read along the way, which are told by a cute character called the Story Snail.
Each Story Trail is about one mile long and divided into numbered sections. Numbered markers prompt you to read the sections of the story along the trail.
Find a Story Pack
To follow the Story Trail you need a free pack that you can either borrow from a specified place (with a Hampshire Library card and a £20 returnable deposit) or download a copy of a story trail from the internet in written or audio form.
Each pack has a map to follow and the trail itself is marked with arrows and/or pictures of the Story Snail.
Visit the Butser Hill National Nature Reserve website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Horndean, near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU32 1QR
Opens: Daily
Cost: Free
Where to Eat: Bring a picnic
Facilities: None
How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: We used an all terrain buggy without any problems.
Parking: Near the top of Butser Hill is a pay and display car park with lots of spaces.
Cost of Parking: From £1.80 per hour
Wildlife You Might See: Sheep, butterflies and birds, maybe even a dragon if you are very lucky!
Information Written: February 2017
Ratings
Our visit to Butser Hill near Horndean, near Petersfield, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
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