Cheesefoot Head
Winchester
Children will enjoy the wildflowers in summer or a hot chocolate from the van in winter.
Linseed/flax is usually grown on the farmland at Cheesefoot Head
The Basics
Time: 1 hr 50 mins
Distance: 6.4 km / 4 miles
Terrain: Some wide, gravelled farm tracks as well as some rougher and narrower paths, a steady ascent and a busy road crossing.
Pushchair: This route is not suitable for pushchairs.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk but farmer requests them to be on leads around the crops.
Refreshments: Baker and White coffee van in the car park (Thursday - Sunday 07:30 - 16:30)
Toilets: There are no toilets on this walk.
Public Transport: There is no public transport to this location.
Parking: Cheesefoot Head car park, small but free - see the big brown sign on the A272 (Postcode: SO24 0HU - W3W: ///lawful.forgiving.ranked)
Other wild-flowers grow on the verges and the views are spectacular
On the downs above Winchester, the quirkily named Cheesefoot Head is an area of far reaching views with a network of paths including the South Downs Way. In the summer there are meadows of wildflowers and often fields of blue linseed. Baker and White have a coffee van and nearby roastery for all your refreshment needs.
The Route
Exit the car park through the little gate and walk along the path that runs parallel to the road with the traffic to your left. When you reach the road, cross over and enter the field on the other side.
When you come to a cross paths at the border of the first field, continue straight on. The next field is long and large and you should continue forward until you eventually reach the hedge on the other side. Proceed out of the field and onto an enclosed track.
When you reach the cottages at the bottom, turn left, and then come up the almost identical track virtually doubling back on yourself. The path will soon drop down and then gradually rise upwards. After a junction with farm entrances into fields, the path will narrow considerably and you should continue straight on, heading up the hill. As a small thicket of woodland builds up to your right, you will eventually reach a gate.
Go through the gate and walk up to the track that crosses the field. Turn right and then bear left with the track. Follow this until you are almost back to the A272.
Just before you reach the road, you will see a grain silo. Turn left and follow the track. As the track opens out into the field, look out for the small blue arrow that will direct you right and through the hedge. Bear left and then turn right when you reach the same cross path from step two and retrace your steps back over the road and into the car park.
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Did you know?
Intriguingly, nobody seems to know how this beauty spot got the less than beautiful name of Cheesefoot. We would be interested to know if you have any theories!
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try more views on the outskirts of Winchester with this walk at Compton Down.
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