Stroud & Lythe Hanger
Petersfield
Children will enjoy the small play area and the pub garden on this walk.
Views across rolling farmland to Butser Hill beyond.
The Basics
Time: 1 hr 50 mins
Distance: 5.8 km / 3.6 miles
Terrain: Steps, a steep descent that could be slippery in wet weather, busy road crossing.
Pushchairs: This route is not suitable for pushchairs.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk but not in the play area and must be on leads around the sheep.
Refreshments: The Seven Stars pub in Stroud.
Toilets: There are no public toilets on this walk.
Public Transport: Stagecoach service 67 between Petersfield and Winchester stops at the pub.
Parking: If you are not a customer of the pub, alternative parking can usually be found on Ramsdean Road (Postcode: GU32 3FS - W3W:///hazel.included.bounty)
There are bluebells in Lythe Hanger during spring
Starting from a popular pub on the outskirts of Petersfield, that has heaps of attractive outdoor dining space, this walk climbs through farmland to a ridge, where there are views to Butser Hill. The countryside is blissfully peaceful and you will enjoy a sprinkling of bluebells on the descent.
The Route
1. Cross the A272 from the pub and follow the footpath to the right of the care home up Rothercombe Lane. Take the first footpath on your left into a field. Cross the field and then go through the kissing gate at the end. Cross the corner of the next field in the direction of the finger post. At the side of this field, beside an oak tree, look for another gate going out onto the farm track. Turn left at the track and then go through a kissing gate into another field and head up to a further kissing gate.
2. Climb the steps and then follow the footpath as it veers left across a field. Go through a kissing gate into another field and follow the path down the hill to yet another kissing gate in the bottom left hand corner. After this gate head up the hill, veering to the left on the worn path to the kissing gate at the top. Go through the gate and walk along the edge of Great Hanger.
3. Continue straight until you almost emerge out of the trees into a field. Instead, turn right, and then after just a few metres, turn left at the junction. This path will bring you out into a field. Turn right at the next footpath arrow, going up the farm track. Go around the gate at Ridge Farm and cross the edge of the farmyard. Turn right at the lane.
4. Continue to a junction. Here, the lane becomes a track and you should continue straight. When you see eight posts sticking up from the ground, turn right and begin the descent through Lythe Hanger. In spring, you will pass patches of bluebells.
5. At the bottom of the hill, veer left and pass a bench on your right. Continue past the buildings of Lythe Farm. Ignore the footpath at Briar Farm, continuing down the tarmac drive. At Stroud Church, turn right along the lane. Just before a 30 mph sign, turn right up the footpath going tightly between hedges.
6. Bear left, cutting across the corner of a field. You will now be on the approach back to Rothercombe Farm and should continue forward, cutting through a series of sheep paddocks. Turn left at the track where you started and return to the pub.
There is a small public play area along Ramsdean Road, just past Langrish Primary School.
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Did you know?
In 1908 a Roman Villa was unearthed in Stroud during excavations, complete with Roman baths, a farmhouse and a led coffin.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this another wooded hillside at the nearby Ashford Hanger
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