Noar Hill
Selborne
On this walk, children will enjoy running down the old chalk pits and collecting wild garlic in spring.
Wild garlic fill the wooded hangers in spring
The Basics
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 3.6 km / 2.2 miles
Terrain: Forest tracks, fields, open common, one steep ascent.
Pushchair: This route is not suitable for pushchairs.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome but should be on leads on the common due to ground nesting birds.
Refreshments: There are no refreshment opportunities on this walk.
Toilets: There are no toilets on this walk.
Public Transport: There is no public transport to this location
Parking: There are two access points to Noar Hill. This route starts from the second one, closest to Charity Farm and parking is on a grass verge just near the access point (Postcode: GU34 3LW - W3W: ///bronzed.bins.completed)
The scent of the garlic fills the woodland
Noar Hill is a nature reserve near Selborne. It has far reaching views from the hilltop common, a wooded hanger and masses of wild garlic in Spring.
Note: Due to tree clearance work as a result of ash dieback, there was far less garlic flowering in 2025 than in previous years.
The Route
Take the path beyond the metal barrier just before Charity Farm. The path will ascend steadily up to the nature reserve.
Enter the nature reserve and stay on the same path as it heads up and along the edge of the reserve. You will see some of the old chalk pits to your left and should look back to enjoy the views.
Keep on the path as it eventually heads through trees. You will then come to a gate which you should go through. On the other side, the path is narrower and rougher. Continue deeper into the hanger (wooded hillside).
When you come to a T-junction, turn right and follow the path for some time as it curves around the side of the hill. It is at this point that you will see a proliferation of wild garlic in late spring (hopefully).
Proceed until you come to an area where a number of paths meet. The wooden finger post points in many directions! There are four options, one to the left, one to the right and a fork ahead. The path you are looking to take is the footpath, that is not the left turn, or the right turn, but the right hand split of the fork.
This path will soon bring you down the grassy edge of a field with the hedge on your right. The path will travel the length of the field, which has a strip of set aside grass for wild flowers.
When you reach the lane, go around the metal barrier, turn right along the road, pass the farm entrance and return to your car.
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Did you know?
After rainfall in spring and summer, you may be able to investigate the temporary puddles for the rare fairy shrimp, a beautiful translucent crustacean that can survive as an egg when the water dries out.
Visit after dark in midsummer and you may see a sprinkling of lights from glowworm.
The pits are the remains of medieval chalk quarries. Laden carts would be pushed along the drove tracks that can still be seen here.
If you liked this walk…
…try this one through Ashford Hangers where wild garlic also grows in abundance.
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