Hampshire’s best Boxing Day walks

if you’re looking for a new route, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite walks in Hampshire.

Dec 13 2024

Two children run down a path followed by their parents and grandparents

From spending time with family to shaking off a day of eating, drinking and merrymaking, there are lots of reasons to love a Boxing Day walk. You might have a tried-and-true favourite, but if you’re looking for a new route, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite walks in Hampshire.

A walk for beautiful views: Liphook

Starting and ending at The Deer’s Hut pub, this walk takes you through the historic landscapes around the villages of Whitehill and Liphook. Evidence of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and Bronze Age artefacts have been found in the area, and the remains of a Roman road can be seen. Climbing the hilly route will give you spectacular views across Folly Pond and beyond into Sussex.

A family of four walk through the countryside wearing hats, coats and wellies

A walk for a pub lunch: Brockenhurst

Enjoy a short wander around the idyllic village of Brockenhurst in the New Forest National Park. Stroll past the iconic Watersplash, where you might see ponies or donkeys drinking, and ancient landscape surrounding the village. Round your walk off with a stop at one of the tea houses, pubs or restaurants for a well-deserved refreshment.

A (mostly) mud-free walk: Basingstoke Canal towpath

The Basingstoke Canal towpath trail is well-maintained with relatively little mud, and the majority of the route is suitable for tramper-style mobility scooters and buggies. While the path is over 30 miles long, there are plenty of railway stations along the route, meaning you can make your walk as long or as short as you want. The canal is brimming with wildlife, and, in fact, is one of the best sites in Britain for water plants and dragonflies, which you can spot in the summer months. For more detailed routes, you can buy a guide from us online.

A walk with a bike ride: Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Get a new bike for Christmas? Test it out at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. There are two designated bike trails for mountain bikers, as well as a short track for young cyclists, and a skills and coaching track, so all the family can get out. There are also plenty of walking routes throughout the park, so you can explore more. With play areas, a café, and toilets, there’s everything you need for an adventure on Boxing Day.

A group of two parents and two children walk through the wintry countryside
Looking for a different wintry wander? Check out our list of routes to find a walk near you. Plus, be sure to tag us in pictures from your wintry walk on Facebook and Instagram! Stay up to date on all the latest news and events from Hampshire Countryside Service with our newsletter.

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