Watership Down, Hampshire facts for kids

Watership Down, seen from the northeast

Watership Down is a well-known hill in the county of Hampshire, England. It is part of the larger area called the Hampshire Downs. This hill is famous because it's the main setting for the 1972 book Watership Down by Richard Adams, which is about a group of rabbits.

What is Watership Down?

Watership Down is a type of hill known as a "down." It is located near the village of Ecchinswell. The hill has a steep side facing north. The other side, facing south, slopes down much more gently.

A Popular Place for Visitors

This area is very popular with people who love to cycle and walk. A special path called a bridleway runs along the top of the hill. This path is part of the longer Wayfarer's Walk, which is a footpath that crosses the county. Watership Down is also on the edge of the North Wessex Downs Area of Natural Beauty. This means it's a special place recognized for its beautiful natural scenery.

History and Nature of the Hill

Close to Watership Down, you can find Ladle Hill. Part of Watership Down itself is a special area for nature. It's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's protected because it has important plants, animals, or geological features.

The top of Watership Down has an old Iron Age hill fort. This fort was started a very long time ago but was never fully finished. The land around the hill is also full of ancient history. You can find many Iron Age burial mounds, old enclosures, and ancient field systems. Another nearby hill is Beacon Hill.

How to Get There

You can easily reach Watership Down from the larger village of Kingsclere.