Find Cobbett’s View on Wheatham Hill, Ashford Hangers
In 1822, William Cobbett was surprised to discover Wheatham Hill, “…out we came, all in a moment, at the very edge of the hanger! And never, in all my life, was I so surprised and so delighted!” But to really understand why he was so delighted, you will have to climb the Ashford Hangers for yourself…
Ashford Hangers
The Ashford Hangers is a National Nature Reserve with invigoratingly steep hillsides covered in clinging trees and breathtaking views extending across Hampshire and Sussex.
Wheatham Hill
Wheatham Hill is 249m high, making it one of the highest hills in Hampshire.
At the top is a trig point, a bench and a spectacular spot for a picnic.
The beautiful views extend to Selbourne Common and beyond to what I think are the Hogs Back, Gibbet Hill and Crooksbury Hill.
Cobbett’s View
William Cobbett (1763-1835) was many things – radical, journalist, farmer, MP, political and social reformer.
Starting in 1822, he went on a series of journeys to see for himself the conditions of rural life. He recorded his findings, which became the book Rural Rides.
On 24 November 1822, Cobbett arrived at the Ashford Hangers and describes his adventure through the hangers to Wheatham Hill, which is now known As Cobbett’s View.
To the Top!
I will let William Cobbett explain about the spectacular joys of walking to the top of Wheatham Hill!
“On we trotted up this pretty green lane; and indeed, we had been coming gently and generally up hill for a good while.
“The lane was between highish banks and pretty high stuff growing on the banks, so that we could see no distance from us,
“and could receive not the smallest hint of what was so near at hand.
“The lane had a little turn towards the end; so that, out we came, all in a moment, at the very edge of the hanger! And never, in all my life, was I so surprised and so delighted!
“I pulled up my horse, and sat and looked; and it was like looking from the top of a castle down into the sea, except that the valley was land and not water…
“These hangers are woods on the sides of very steep hills. The trees and underwood hang, in some sort, to the ground, instead of standing on it. Hence these places are called Hangers.”
The above description of Cobbett’s adventure in the Ashford Hangers starts on page 127 of Rural Rides. You can find a free online copy on the Project Gutenberg website.
Finding Wheatham Hill
There are different ways to reach Wheatham Hill and the top of the Ashford Hangers but these are the two routes I use:
From Lutcombe Pond:
From the car park at GU32 1AB, follow the path that runs along Ashford Stream, keeping Lutcombe Pond on your right.
Keep walking straight up the hill and when you are nearly at the top, you come to these steps. Follow this path to Shoulder of Mutton Hill and then on to Wheatham Hill, which is at the top of these stairs.
From Ashford Farm:
From the car park at GU32 1AB, follow this path as it leads up the hangers.
After a steep climb and some twists and turns, you will find yourself at these same stairs and Wheatham Hill.
Visit the Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Steep, Near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU32 1AB or GU32 1AA
Opens: Daily
Cost: Free
Where to Eat: Bring a blanket and a picnic.
Facilities: None
How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: The paths up the hangers are often steep and/or narrow. I have seen a couple of families taking little children on these walks but never with buggies.
Parking: There is a small space for a few cars to park off the road (GU32 1AB) on Ashford Lane. There is also an area where cars park to the side of Ashford Farm (GU32 1AA).
Cost of Parking: Free
Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, other insects and birds.
Information Written: January 2024
Ratings
Our visit to the Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve in Steep, near Petersfield (including Lutcombe Pond, Ashford Stream, Cobbett’s View on Wheatham Hill and Shoulder of Mutton Hill) is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
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