The Concept

In 1992, I ran the Three Peaks of Yorkshire with my Dad. It was a perfect day to traverse over Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough which although they are not Yorkshire’s highest peaks, are probably the most distinct. As we sat drinking tea in the Pen-y-ghent café afterwards, we mused over what three hills might constitute the Hampshire Three Peaks. Butser Hill immediately sprang to mind as did Pilot Hill, the Hampshire county top in the north-west. Dad then suggested Beacon Hill near West Meon: as its name suggests, this was one of the chain of hills in a network that would light fires to warn of an impending invasion. In fact we had seen bonfires lit on here (and Butser Hill) to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and the wedding of Charles and Diana. These three hills didn’t lend themselves nicely to a natural route, though, especially with Pilot Hill being so far removed from the other two. This idea, then, was put on hold, as other challenges took our attention.

After my Dad died in 2014, I occasionally thought about possible routes for a Hampshire Three Peaks. I couldn’t seem to get past the idea of linking the county top in the north with Butser Hill in the south. The problem was that this would make it a lot further than the Yorkshire Three Peaks, but it would also be a point-to-point and not a circular.

I then thought more about what else could feature as part of a Hampshire Three Peaks route. Growing up in the county, you are aware of the history of what has been called The First Shire. Be it the Bronze Age settlements at Butser or King Alfred’s Great Hall in Winchester, Hampshire exudes history and I felt that this should somehow by a theme of the route. Naturally, any route would also take you over the Downs but Hampshire is also famed for its chalk rivers where grows the world’s best watercress and is the habitat for the finest trout (so Dad told me anyway!) This made me wonder if I could somehow have part of the route run alongside a famous Hampshire river.

The solution to the problem came so suddenly, that I am amazed that I didn’t see it earlier: leave out Pilot Hill. After all, the Yorkshire Three Peaks route doesn’t take in its county top, Mickle Fell so the Hampshire version would not need to include its highest point. I now looked at Butser Hill and Beacon Hill and saw that they were somewhat framed by the Meon Valley and its eponymous chalk river. Just a third peak was needed and there was one that clearly stood out: Old Winchester Hill.

The route now almost planned itself: start in the Meon Valley (either at East Meon or West Meon); Head west-ish to Beacon Hill; follow the South Downs Path to Old Winchester Hill; continue eastwards to the day’s high point of Butser Hill; then return north-west-ish to the starting point in the Meon Valley. The route had a lot of appeal to me. Not only would it take you over some of the finest downland in the south but would also allow you to enjoy the charms of a proper Hampshire chalk river. Additionally, the three peaks are the sites of ancient burial mounds or hill forts dating back to the bronze and iron ages whilst the villages of West Meon and East Meon can trace their origins back to the time of King Alfred. Each summit is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and as such is home to many types of butterflies and a variety of unusual flora. The summit views from each peak are extensive especially so from Butser where on a good day, you can see The Solent and the Isle of Wight. The route also passes very close to the birthplace of cricket at Broadhalfpenny Down.

As a bonus, as the route ends in the Meon Valley, there are a number of places that you can reward yourself with some well-deserved refreshments be it a cup of tea and a slice of cake, or pint and a pub meal

In short, I feel that this is a quintessentially Hampshire route and one that my Hampshire Hog father would most definitely approve of.