Cheesefoot Head
Winchester
Children will enjoy walking to a secret spot for a slice of cake!
Views over The Matterley Bowl from Cheesefoot Head
Ambling Path Members get 10% off hot drinks at Baker and White Coffee Co.
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Ambling Path Members get 10% off hot drinks at Baker and White Coffee Co. ☕ Sign up using the link below ☕
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, but see below for an alternative walk to the roastery and back.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk but the 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) or scroll down for a bonus walk to the Baker and White Roastery in a secluded spot by The South Downs Way (Saturday - Sunday until Easter, then Thursday - Sunday).
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)
The spectacular views from the western reaches of The South Downs.
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 spring there are often fields of flowering crops like linseed and rapeseed. Baker and White have a coffee van for all your refreshment needs and if you scroll down this page, we have a shorter linear walk to their roastery tucked away in a gorgeous spot by The South Downs Way.
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.
At the 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.
To walk to Baker and White Roastery:
If you like the idea of enjoying the same speciality roasted coffee and sweet bakes as supplied from the trailer, but from a hut with seating over looking the rolling fields of the South Downs, then you could add on this extension to the route above or walk it as a short linear walk in its own right.
The walk from the car park to the roastery takes about 25 minutes in each direction. Dogs are welcome and off-road pushchairs should make it.
To get there, 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, just as in step one above. However, when you meet the road, do not cross it, but turn right, go through the gate and follow the South Downs Way in a straight line. You will initially enjoy views of the Matterley Bowl to your left before passing under trees. Go through the gate at the end of the first section and continue straight with open space to your left and various ‘private woodland’ signs. After this, you will pass a pretty cottage to your right and the roastery is also on your right just after the cottage.
As a member, you gain instant access to our complete PDF library of over 200 walks. Members also benefit from special discounts we arrange at some of our favourite pit-stops.
Did you know?
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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