We’ve pulled together our top five autumn walks, so why not wrap up warm, crunch through the crisp leaves and enjoy the late autumn sunshine on a walk in Basingstoke and Deane.

1. Basing Wood, for relaxing woodland fun

Located to the north of Basingstoke near Popley and Chineham is Basing Wood. There are three walking trails to enjoy the vast expanse of woodland along with open spaces, picnic benches and a nature play area. It’s a great place to get out and explore nature with airy woodland to walk the dogs, build dens, jump in muddy puddles and it’s full of interesting wildlife and insects. You may be lucky enough to spot deer, fallow, rabbits or even froglets and the protected great crested newts in the natural pond by the play area.

2. Beacon Hill, for the views

There is a steep climb up to the top of this impressive iron age hillfort and the site of one of the beacons that formed a network across Hampshire. This is a shorter walk and the initial climb is a bit of a thigh burner, but completely worth it when you reach the top and see the fantastic views over the North Wessex Downs. You’ll even get a birds eye view of Highclere Castle (the real-life Downtown Abbey). After enjoying the view retrace your steps back to the start.

Did you know that within the enclosure is the grave of the fifth Earl of Carnarvan (who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun) buried at the top which makes Beacon Hill an area of outstanding interest as well as beauty.

If you take your four-legged friend on this walk, please note that dogs must be kept on leads all year around.

3. Whitchurch Heritage Mill Trail, for its history

Discover five historic watermills on the upper reaches of the River Test chalk stream on the Whitchurch Heritage Mill Trail. The full trail is a seven-mile walk with options to take shortcuts for 2, 3.5 or 4.5 miles routes. There are interpretation panels located at key points along the trail pointing out features of interest.

You can begin your walk at Whitchurch Station or Whitchurch Silk Mill, or you can walk the trail in reverse, starting at Laverstoke.

If you fancy a bite to eat or a coffee whilst you are exploring Whitchurch, then why not check out the Whitchurch Silk Mill Café or Kudos Coffee.

For those that want to cover more distance, enjoy the 24 mile Watership Down Circular Walk. Follow in the footsteps of Whitchurch resident and author Richard Adams as you explore the stunning north Hampshire landscape that author Richard Adams so loved to wander and where he told his tale of the rabbits of Watership Down.

4. The Basing Trail for its proximity to the town centre and pit stops

The Basing Trail is a waymarked, 7-mile circular walk which starts at Basingstoke Railway Station and leads to the picturesque village of Old Basing.  Choose your distance as there are short cuts available at either 2, 3 or 4.5 miles.

This trail features the famous Civil War site of Basing House, its ruins and surviving buildings and earthworks still bear the scars of its historic siege of 1642. See the Bolton Arch in Crabtree Plantation and pass through Basingstoke Common, Eastrop Park and War Memorial Park on this circular route.

We enjoy this route for the choice of pit stops, including Bartons Mill, The Crown and The Street Bakeshop not forgetting the option of taking a detour into one of many eateries in Basingstoke town centre.

5. Poetic Basingstoke – for exploring Basingstoke in a different way

Explore the poetic side of Basingstoke. Download the Overhear app and tune in to the words of local poet and playwright Rebecca Lyon, read by local voice artist Naomi Escott. Walk to the locations pinned on the app to unlock the recording.

Listen to the perspective of a poet at a unique point in time in a specially selected place. What does it mean to be you, here, now?

There are twelve poems, all rooted in specific locations in the town which you can access on the Overhear app.

• Market Place – facing the Jane Austen statue, RG21 7QD
• Cross Street by Willows Coffee House and by the Blue Coat Boy statue, town centre, RG21 7DD
• Haymarket Theatre, Wote Street, RG21 7NW
• Boating lake in Eastrop Park, Eastrop Lane, RG21 4QB
• Bird aviary in War Memorial Park, RG21 3AE
• Proteus Creation Space, Council Road, RG21 3DH
• Glebe Gardens, Church Street, RG21 7QT
• Basingstoke Train Station, Station Hill, RG21 5NB
• Holy Ghost Chapel, RG21 5TB
• Amphitheatre by Festival Place Shopping Centre, Basingstoke town centre
• Village Hotel in Basing View
• London Street, the Top of the Town by the Triumphal Gates Triumphal Gates.

Visit the Overhear website for more information: www.theoverhear.app

See the Love Basingstoke website for more walking inspiration including dog walks and walks for art lovers.

Created by Love Basingstoke October 2023

Notes:

Always follow the countryside code to respectfully explore the great outdoors.

If you have a favourite walk that you think we should know about then please e-mail us at hello@lovebasingstoke.co.uk.