Henwood Down

The walk up Henwood Down rewards you with proper Hampshire views - rolling countryside that spreads out in all directions once you've made the climb. It's not a dramatic peak, nothing dramatic about Hampshire really, but that's rather the point. On a clear day you can see enough to justify the leg work, and the chalky soil underfoot means it's rarely boggy even after rain.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's a straightforward ascent without technical scrambling, the kind of walk that makes sense as part of a longer route around Petersfield rather than a destination in itself. Families with teenagers will manage it fine; younger kids might find it a bit dull unless you're the type who enjoys pointing at distant hills and naming them. The summit itself is peaceful rather than thrilling - no café, no viewpoint indicator, just grass and perspective.

Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the round trip from the nearest carpark, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. It works well as a morning walk if you're based at Cedar Valley or Glamping at Wallops Wood, both within easy striking distance. Combine it with other routes around the Petersfield area and you've got a proper day sorted. The best light is evening when the sun's low and everything has more definition, though you'll want to descend before dusk. Free to walk, obviously. No gates, no rangers, just a straightforward country walk that lives up to modest expectations.