Dog walk

Danebury Hillfort

Stockbridge, North Houghton

Type of walk

Hilly

What's here

Free Parking, Off Lead Areas, On Lead Areas, Pathed Routes, Animals On Route, Picnic Areas, Water On Route, Toilets

About this walk

Danebury is an Iron Age hill fort in Hampshire in England, about 19 kilometres (12 mi) north-west of Winchester (grid reference SU323376). The site, covering 5 hectares (12 acres), was excavated by Barry Cunliffe in the 1970s. Danebury is considered a type-sitefor hill forts, and was important in developing the understanding of hill forts, as very few others have been so intensively excavated.

Built in the 6th century BC, the fort was in use for almost 500 years, during a period when the number of hill forts in Wessex greatly increased. Danebury was remodelled several times, making it more complex and resulting in it becoming a "developed" hill fort. It is now protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Although dogs are not allowed in the hill fort itself, you can walk around the perimeter and in the surrounding fields which are all off lead areas for dogs to free run. There are sometimes Ponies and Sheep in some of the areas so be careful if you have a chaser! There are toilets and a few picnic benches. This area is great for social dogs as there are always other dogs around. The views are outstanding - especially on a sunny day! Not a massive walk, but it can be made longer by making use of all the fields available.

Walk added by

dandogman

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Comments (4)

predictablebob
8 years ago

Popular walking area, dogs are now allowed in the hill fort. Most dogs are friendly and run off lead but as usual there's the odd owner that doesn't know the difference between a dog that's playing and one that's bullying. If your dog won't stand up for itself then avoid weekday lunchtimes as one dog in particular tends to go over the top - easy to spot as the owner is usually in uniform... Picking up - most do but some don't, there's no excuse as there are bins near the main access points.
JoannaBailey
3 years ago

Nice walk near Stockbridge hilly and can be busy
MarkJEverest
3 years ago

Nice to walk around the hill fort but the address listed below (or above) is not a parking place but for Houghton Lodge. Just drive to the hill fort itself - it's much easier!
PabloPants
a year ago

Easy walk uphill from two car parks. Moderately quiet when we visited (December) - all other dogs and walkers friendly and polite. Fantastic views in all directions. Away from roads and safe for all basic trained/well behaved hounds. Wellies were not necessarily required as the location I'd so high. Interesting landscape and history. Highly recommend this walk.