Attractions and Places To See around Laverstoke - Top 20

The hillfort on the top of the hill has never been excavated, but the land and ditch are sharply defined and well preserved. This Iron Age fort is roughly rectangular and enclosed seven acres within an embankment and ditch. There are two probable entrances to the east and west. The work seems to have been undertaken by several different labour forces, each working on a section of the defences, but for some reason the task was abandoned and the fort left unfinished. Great to walk along the unfinished ramparts, it's windy and flipping huge!!!

This trail is one I have been riding most weeks since 1997, like all natural trails it evolves as trees fall or new puddles form. Always lots of fun in the summer, can become hard work with mud in Jan/Feb, but usually passable. The tree felling made it mostly impassable for 2022, and then passable with care in 2023. After plenty of work from locals it became fully rideable again in the summer of 2024. The jumps closer to Winchester were built by people with small wheel bikes, they are usable with larger wheels, but check the landings before using.

This is a wonderful spot with a lovely display of seasonal wildflowers that bloom within the spring and summer months.

EDIT May 2023: The logging activity has now concluded and the trail has become useable. There are tons of small branches/debris littering the trail and a lot of damage to the surface and the route. Some of the bogs have been filled with bark chippings but there are some left still. The trail no longer flows and it's hard to read. Such a shame. At least it no longer forces you to walk. ----------------------------------- This trail has been rendered un-ridable by devastating logging activity. I was able to carry my bike through with difficulty, but it is now a bog and the logs and debris on the ground make it impossible to ride. Please DO NOT ride on the parallel Andover Road, it is extremely dangerous. Just find a way through the bog on foot. No idea when or if it will be repaired. So so sad for the area.

Lovely church in a scenic village, be careful of the steep corner coming from Steventon Road onto Waltham Lane.

St Mary’s church is, as its appearance suggests, Norman (12th century) in origin and is a building of significant historical interest. There has been a church on the site for over 1000 years, the present church being built on the site of a former Saxon minster. Much of the present building dates from a major rebuilding in the 19th century. There are many interesting features including its unusual weather vane which is affectionately known locally as The Bedbug. Legend has it that its design was determined by King John, who on one occasion being prevented from reaching his hunting lodge on Cottington Hill by fog had to spend a night in the local inn where his night was badly disturbed by bedbugs! The church is open every day for visitors, for those wanting a quiet place to sit and think and for those wishing to pray. Cit. https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-mary-kingsclere

There has been Christian worship in North Waltham since around 1200AD and the Church still plays an important part in village life with services every Sunday, and church members are represented in most village groups. The present building dates back to 1865 when it was rebuilt [by J Colson] following collapse of the South wall and chancel arch in about 1850. However, it contains enough original masonry to show the development of the building through the Norman and Gothic periods [C13, C14, C15]. The church has been Grade II listed since 1957. cit. https://www.nwsadchurch.org/churches/north-waltham/ https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1092931

This is a great little climb. My Garmin has occasionally told me that the gradient goes up to 10%! The long descent to Ashley Warren after the peak of the climb is also good. You just need to be aware of the warning signs for livestock & children, and the fact that it's single track, barely wide enough to pass oncoming traffic.