Selborne Walks - Selborne Common
This circular walk visits Selborne Common and Selborne Hill, one of the highest points in the county of Hampshire. The common is owned by the National Trust and has a number of nice woodland trails to try. In the woods you can see a variety of wildflowers including yellow archangel, wood spurge and wood anemone. Also look out for lots of butterflies such as Duke of Burgundy, silver-washed fritillary and purple emperor. Notable birds to see include buzzard, sparrowhawk, stock dove, tawny owl, green woodpecker and great spotted woodpecker. From the high points you can enjoy lovely views over the South Downs.
The walk starts from the attractive village of Selborne. The village is notable for its links with the world-famous naturalist, Revd. Gilbert White, who was a pioneer of birdwatching. White is recognised as being the first ecologist or environmentalist. There's also a Grade I listed church that dates back to the late 12th century.
From the village you head south west along the Zig-Zag path to the hill. Selborne Hill is one of the East Hampshire Hangers, a line of prominent hills on the eastern scarp slope of the Hampshire Downs. It stands at a height of 211 metres (692 ft) and is mostly covered with woodland.
After reaching the hill summit the route bends round towards Coneycroft Hill before picking up a path along Selborne Hangar to return to the village. Here you can enjoy refreshments at the Selborne Arms pub which has a good selection of real ales and a decent menu too.
Selborne Common Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Selborne Common Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Selborne Common OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Selborne Common Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head to the Selborne Arms for some post walk refreshment. The typical village pub is nicely located at the foot of the Zig Zag path carved by famous naturalist Gilbert White. The path gives its name to the annual Zig Zag Festival held in early October. There's a cosy interior with real fires and a lovely large garden area for warmer days. You can find the pub on the High Street at postcode GU34 3JR for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The common is a fine place to take your dog for a walk so you'll probably see other owners on a nice day. Please keep them under control as there is quite a lot of wildlife about.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Hangers Way long distance trail passes through Selborne. You can pick up the trail and head south to visit the lovely Noar Hill Nature Reserve. If you head north it will take you through the South Downs to the town of Alton where you'll find the source of the River Wey.
In nearby Bordon there's the Hogmoor Inclosure to explore. The area has lots of family activities with woodland walking and cycling paths plus a sculpture trail.
To the east is the village of Liphook where you can enjoy a walk to the lakes on the pretty Foley Manor Estate before a climb to Weavers Down on the edge of the expansive Woolmer Forest.
For more walking ideas in the area see the South Downs Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Gracious St, Selborne
Selborne from the Hanger
Thatched Cottage, Selborne. Just off the main street, a half-timbered cottage with brick infill.
Entrance to the common. The National Trust sign shows this is Selborne Common, an area of mainly woodland but also open areas which used to be used for sheep grazing.
The Wakes. 'The Wakes' was the home of the famous naturalist and gardener Gilbert White. He is best known for his book 'Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne'. The book is essentially a collection of his letters to the explorer and naturalist Daines Barrington and the eminent zoologist Thomas Pennant. They are an evocation of the lives of the flora and fauna of eighteenth-century England.
Gilbert White's garden. Gilbert White was not a rich man and could not afford statues to decorate his garden. Instead he used wooden boards painted to resemble statues at the end of sight lines as here through the field gates.
The Selborne Yew is situated in the churchyard of St Mary's church. The small sign states that the tree was designated by The Tree Council to be one of 50 great British trees. Unfortunately, it was blown down in a storm and it is dead. Interestingly, there is a small yew sapling growing by the tree stump (not visible in the photo) which might possibly have come from a seed of the original tree.
