One of the things I find fascinating about Watership Down is that Richard Adams based the rabbits’ journey on actual places that can still be visited today. Breathtaking Watership Down is one of these places.
Note: there are spoilers for the book Watership Down in the post below!
Watership Down – The Novel Watership Down – The Hill Standing at the top of Watership Down it is easy to see why. The views are some of the best I’ve seen. Gallops The Warren under the Beech Tree This tree stood at the top of Watership Down but sadly was destroyed by a storm in 2004. Wayfarer’s Way This can be used by walkers and cyclists. A Fossil Find Finding Watership Down The Paths They can be grassy, stony, narrow and steep. It is only the footpath up and down the hill that is steep. 
Hazel’s band of rabbits hop seven miles from their warren at Sandleford to the top of Watership Down.
Along the way they push their way through Newtown Common, cross footbridges, float along the River Test and discover Nuthanger Farm. 
“O Frith on the hills!” says Dandelion as the rabbits marvel at the new home Fiver has found them on Watership Down. 
Standing at the bottom of Watership Down is like looking up at a wall of mud. 
This was an ideal spot for a hillfort. 
The top of Watership Down is separated from the hillside by Gallops, which are tracks and fences used to train racehorses. 
The fences are enormous!
There is a footpath across the Gallops but be careful to check for charging horses before you cross. 
The gate onto the footpath is about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the parking area near Ashley Warren Down (see below). 
In the book, the warren the rabbits find on top of Watership Down is hidden amongst the roots of an old beech tree. 
This spot is now marked by a young beech tree and a plaque in recognition of Richard Adams. 
When I visited, the rabbits Fiver, Bigwig and Hazel had also been unofficially remembered…
A long-distance route called the Wayfarer’s Way runs along the top of Watership Down, connecting Ladle Hill (to the west) with Whitehill (to the east). 
On my walk up the hill I randomly discovered a mussel shell fossil just sitting on the path. 
To walk to Watership Down from the lay-by near Ashley Warren Down (RG28 7QH) take the path across the road from the lay-by. 
This will lead you up a small hill, through a gate and on towards the Gallops and the Richard Adams memorial plaque. 
The paths are not surfaced. 
The path along the top of the hill is pretty flat. 
Note that this is not a circular route. The path down the hill is also the path you come back on.
Visit the Watership Down hill website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Kingsclere Opens: Daily Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. How Long We Spent There: 3 hours Parking: There are a couple of options – there is a lay-by to the west of Watership Down near Ashley Warren Down (RG28 7QH) and there is a car park to the east at Whitehill (RG25 3EJ). Wildlife You Might See: Rabbits and hares, butterflies and other insects, red kites and other birds. Information Written: June 2022
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG28 7QH (or RG25 3EJ)
Cost: Free
Facilities: None
Buggies: I wouldn’t bring one as there are steep hills and narrow paths.
Cost of Parking: Free.
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