HOS Walks programme
We have a regular programme of HOS walks in place. Attendees do not generally need to book a place on HOS walks, however, please also note that it will be necessary to book places on some walks – such as Needs Ore where places are restricted.
Any queries please do get in touch either by emailing Di Warner or phoning Di Warner, the HOS Walks Co-ordinator on 07883 344724. The distance covered is shown for each walk, and in some cases with a ‘walk category’, as follows:
A) Easy – a fairly short walk over relatively flat ground with no/few stiles.
B) A little more demanding – longer distance and/or gentle hills but with no/few stiles.
C) Medium difficulty – moderate distance and/or moderate hills and/or a moderate number of stiles.
D) Strenuous – long distance and/or steep hills and/or many stiles.
Do please take care and enjoy the walks programme, but remember, responsibility for personal safety lies with the individual, not the Society.
If some details are not currently known, they will be added when available.
April 2026
Saturday 11 April
Hamble Shore, Common & Airfield, Victoria Country Park and Westfield Common.
Leader: Phil Budd (07849 185896)
10:30 to 15:30 (4 miles)
Meet at SU483058 (Hamble Point car park)
I have checked the tide times on these. All easy walking on relatively flat ground. Good paths, tracks and roads. Stout shoes should be sufficient.
Bring coffee/lunch
Walk category A.
Saturday 18 April
Edenbrook Country Park, Fleet
Leader: John Blithe (07966 391297)
10:00 am to 12:30 pm (3 miles)
Meet in the car park behind the leisure centre off Hitches Lane, (Grid Reference SU 793538; Postcode GU51 5HS).
This walk will start from the Edenbrook car park (free parking). It’s generally level with mainly good paths, some of which can become flooded after heavy rain. Other grass paths are usually ok but can get muddy/flooded after heavy rain, so bring good footwear.
Walk category A
Sunday 19 April
Farlington Marshes
Leader: Kevin Stouse (07510 600808)
9.30am – 2pm (6 miles)
Winter/Migrant Birds at Farlington Marshes (5m)
Meet at Chalkdock Lake car park (Grid ref SU 699055; W3W: about.sizes.usual) – this is now designated as Chalkdock Lake car park on google maps, it is NOT the car park signposted Broadmarsh Coastal Path. NB road layout means you have to do a U-turn to enter car park, so continue up Harts Farm Way and where it widens you can U turn and come back to the car park. A walk round the marshes in search of winter/Migrant birds.
Bring coffee/Lunch
Walk category A
Sunday 26 April.
Portland Bill
Leader: Ian Packer (07505 084123)
10:00am – 3.00pm approx. (4 miles)
Meet at the Portland Bill car park at the Bill. Use app or coins or phone to pay for parking, (grid reference SY 677685, postcode DT5 2JT, W3W: overlaps.bottle.axed).
Walk is circular on undulating ground on grass or hard paths throughout and will encompass a variety of maritime and coastal habitats with some fantastic sea / cliff views. We shall be looking for seabirds and migrants, plus resident species.
Bring coffee/lunch.
Walk Category B
May 2026
Saturday 2 May
Worth Matravers on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset
Leader Julian Mosely (07900 381051)
10.30am – 3.30pm (5 miles)
Meet in the car park at Worth Matravers (parking fee payable by request) 10:30am for a wander along the coastal path westwards to the coastguard lookout (Map ref SU 9740 7766; W3W:w ocean.lawful.weeps).
Spring arrivals should be evident and we may see migrants arriving off the sea. Lunch about halfway and the return route is through farmland until we reach the village.
Bring coffee/lunch
Walk category C
Saturday 9 May
Broxhead Common
Leader: Keith Betton (07809 671468)
9.00 am to 12.00 pm (2 miles)
Meet at the entrance to the nature reserve on Broxhead Farm Road, GU35 0NY, lay-by parking, B3004, north of Lindford (OS National Grid: SU 803374; W3W: navigate.adopts.strutting)
Good range of heathland birds.
Walk level B
Saturday 16 May
Sway Heathland and Setley Plain
Leader Chris Roseveare (07789 276101; roseveare48@btinternet.com)
9.30 am – 12.30 pm (followed by lunch at the Hare and Hounds pub for those who wish to join) (4 miles)
Meet in the Hare and Hounds pub car park (SO41 6AL)
Please contact Chris in advance (by phone or email) if you would like to
join the walk, indicating if you are planning to stay for lunch afterwards.
The walk will cross the heathland towards Setley Pond, across Setley Plain
and back to Sway via Longslade. There will be opportunities to see many of the New Forest heathland birds, including Stonechat and Dartford Warbler, and to enjoy the lowland heath scenery.
Walk level A
Saturday 23 May
Broughton Down
Leader Julian Mosely (07900 381051)
10.30am – 2.30pm (3-4 miles)
Please park at the end of Buckholt Road ( SU 3009 3254. Wtw wasables.trek.pegs.) This access is used by farm vehicles so please try to park off the tarmac if possible. Gather at 10:30 before ascending the moderately steep incline to the reserve. Should be good for spring migrants and chalk downland species.
Bring coffee/lunch
Walk category C
Sunday 24 May
Buriton for farmland birds
Leader Kevin Stouse (07510 600808)
9.00 am – 3.00 pm (7miles).
Meet at Buriton village pond car park near the church (SU 740200) for this circular walk along the footpaths to Petersfield heath and back in search of spring/summer farmland birds. Will be muddy if recently rained. Will be two stops on this walk.
Bring coffee/Lunch
Walk Category A
Sunday 31 May
Normandy Lagoon & Oxey Marshes
Leader: Ian Packer (07505 084123)
9.30 am – 2.00 pm (3 miles)
Meet in the car park (Grid Reference SZ 326940; Postcode SO41 8FF; W3W slab.finishers.tank).
We will look for ducks, waders & migrants.
Bring coffee/Lunch
Walk category A
June 2026.
Wednesday 3 June
Cheriton – Gander Down walk
Leader Nick Wiley (07747 151160/01489 893226)
10.00 am – 2:00 pm (4 miles).
Park at Cheriton tennis club car park (grid reference SU 580 284; post code SO24 0QQ) near Flower Pots inn, for a walk out to gander down looking for farm land birds such as yellowhammer and corn bunting also good for raptors and butterflies.
Bring lunch/Lunch en route.
Walk category C
Saturday 6 June
Blashford Lakes
Leader Julian Mosely (07900 381051)
10.30am – 2.30pm (3-4 miles)
Meet in the Tern hide car park (SU 1515 0837 Wtw sizes.fussy.curve.) from where we will walk to the other hides in sequence.
Bring coffee/lunch
Walk category A
Sunday 7 June
Magdalen Hill Down Butterfly Reserve.
Leaders: Dave and Anna Stewart (07772300271 or 07920113131)
10.00pm until approx. 1.00pm( 1-2 miles).
The entrance to the reserve is on the south side of the B3404. The track runs along the west side Magdalen Hill Cemetery past Blackwell & Moody Ltd. stone mason’s works (Grid reference of Blackwell & Moody SU 51082 29447).
The entrance gate will be unlocked, and parking is at the top of the track, grid reference SU 5108 2919
Species expected include typical farmland birds such as Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Linnet and Skylark. Early June is a good time to see Small Blue, Brown Argos, Dingy Skipper, and Grizzled Skipper butterflies. There is a small chance that first brood Adonis Blue butterfly are still flying. The specialised chalk flora should also be displaying well.
There is a general lack of cover, but we will not be far from the car park for this walk.
The initial part of the walk is relatively easy but, in the middle, there is a steep incline that could cause problems for some, particularly if it is wet. Stout foot ware is recommended.
If the weather is particularly wet and windy participants should phone the leaders the evening before to confirm walk is going ahead. Mobiles 07772300271 or 07920113131.
Toilet facilities are available in Magdalen Hill Cemetery.
If you have any questions let us know.
Bring lunch and drink.
Walk category B/C
Saturday 20 June.
Burton Common Night Walk
Leader: Bob Groves (07934 010098)
8.30 pm to 10.00 pm (1-2 miles)
Meet at the small car park outside Pine Tree Cottage (Grid Reference SZ190858). From Burton follow Waterditch Road, all the way past Waterditch Farm and through the ford. After you have passed some cottages on your left, instead of following the road round to your left, take the track straight ahead, which will lead to the small car park outside Pine Tree Cottage.
We will look for Woodcock and churring Nightjars. Bring a torch!
Walk category A
Sunday 21 June.
Blashford Lakes HIIWT Reserve
Leader: Ian Packer (07505 084123)
09.30 am – 2.00 pm (2 miles)
Meet in the free car park by the Tern Hide, (grid reference SU151083, W3W: mirror.neckline.mash). The Reserve postcode is BH24 3PJ and is on the other side of the road to Tern Hide off Ellingham Drove.
A visit to the lakes should provide a good range of both water and woodland related species. This is an opportunity to watch many birds at close range from the various hides.
Bring lunch and drink.
Walk category A
Saturday 27 June
Martin Down
Leader: Keith Betton (07809 671468)
9.00 am – 12.30 pm (2-3 miles)
Meet in the nature reserve’s Sillen’s Lane car park (OS National Grid: SU 057191;
Postcode SP6 3LB; W3W: coining.bunk.snuck) just west of Martin. Optional parking charge.
Downland birds such as Corn Bunting, and a chance of Turtle Dove.
Bring lunch and drink.
Walk level C