Conquer Soldier’s Ring and Crooksbury Hill, Near Farnham
Crooksbury Hill is guarded by Soldier’s Ring, an ancient hill fort now hidden by woodland. Climbing the hill is a mini-adventure. The steep paths rise through dappled woodland, under tumbling heathers and past enormous ant hills.
At the Top
The views from the top of Crooksbury Hill are spectacular. On a clear day you can see across the Surrey Hills, including Butser Hill, Gibbet Hill and Selbourne Common.
The Woods
The woods on the top of the hill are shady and peaceful, with huge logs to climb on and den building opportunities.
Soldier’s Ring Hill Fort
Soldier’s Ring is a small hill fort that may date from the Bronze or Iron Age. It is now a large, flat area of woodland surrounded by walls made from earth.
To find Soldier’s Ring from the view point on the top of Crooksbury Hill, follow the path behind the trig point. This leads you down the other side of the hill and into the woods.
The entrance to Soldier’s Ring is about halfway down this path and is marked by this gate.
From here you can see the walls surrounding the hill fort.
The Paths
There are three paths that lead up Crooksbury Hill, none of these are gentle or buggy friendly.
I found the path on the left of the Botany Hill car park to be the least strenuous.
Walking up the hill along any of these paths takes 5 to 10 minutes but factor in a little extra time for little ones.
The Path From Crooksbury Hill Car Park
This path goes straight up the hill. It starts by the information board in the picnic area, is very steep and has steps of various heights all the way up.
The Paths From Botany Hill Car Park
There are two paths from this little car park that both lead through the woods to the view point. Neither of these have stairs but they are both steep and uneven in places.
The path on the right of the car park takes you along the base of Soldier’s Ring and then up to the Crooksbury Hill view point.
The path on the left takes you up through Soldier’s Ring and then to the top of Crooksbury Hill.
Visit the Crooksbury Hill website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 1RF
Opens: Daily
Cost: Free
Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: Picnic area at Crooskbury Hill car park.
How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: All paths up Crooksbury Hill are steep so I wouldn’t recommend a buggy.
Parking: Crooksbury Hill car park is on Crooksbury Road (GU10 1RF) and a much smaller, unmarked car park on Botany Hill (GU10 1LY).
Cost of Parking: Free
Wildlife You Might See: Slow worms, lizards, birds, butterflies, wood ants and other insects.
Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: May 2022
Ratings
Our visit to Crooksbury Hill and Soldier’s Ring in Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
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