Befriend the Dragon of Butser Hill, Horndean, Near Petersfield
The Queen Elizabeth Country Park Story Trail is called “The Dragon of Butser Hill“. The story follows the adventures of a knight, a dragon, a giant and a maiden who lived around Butser Hill in the year 845. Happily, it does not have a traditional fairy tale ending!
The Dragon of Butser Hill
The story trail was lots of fun with plenty of laughing, charging and howling as you explore the hilltop. The children couldn’t stop scanning the skies for the dragon.
Butser Hill
The trail leads you around the top of Butser Hill National Nature Reserve, which is one of the highest points in Hampshire with beautiful views towards the Isle of Wight and the South Downs. It is also an ideal spot for kite flying.
You can either walk up the hill from Queen Elizabeth Country Park or drive up from the A3. We considered walking but the Visitor’s Centre staff advised against taking a buggy.
The Paths
It only took us fifteen minutes to walk to the top at a slow pace. We did not find the hill steep to climb and my toddler walked with me.
The hill is covered in rough, clumpy grass but there were paths mown through it.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park
From Butser Hill you can easily reach Queen Elizabeth Country Park by car, where there is a cafe, play areas for a range of ages, orienteering trails and picnic areas.
Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails
These are walks with interactive stories to read along the way, as told by a cute character called the Story Snail.
Each Story Trail is about one mile long and is divided into numbered story sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.
Find a 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 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 Dragon of Butser Hill Story Trail 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 lucky!
Information Written: June 2017
Ratings
Our visit to Butser Hill Story Trail at Queen Elizabeth Country Park in 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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