The Rother Valley is in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the East Hampshire/West Sussex border.

The route includes some steep slopes characteristic of the chalk and greensand hangers, and passes by a nature reserve.

Selborne itself, where the walk begins, was the home of Gilbert White, the well-known 18th century naturalist. His home is open to visitors and also houses the Oates Museum. The Lion's Mouth horse trough fountain, which you pass at the start of the walk, was presented to the village in his memory.

The Walk

1 Start from the bus stop by the Selborne Arms. From the village, walk south along the B3006. When you see the horse trough, take the footpath on the right-hand side, alongside the stream. Follow the path heading towards Noar Hill Nature Reserve.

2 At the bottom of the hanger, where you meet the bridleway, turn left, following the lower track for just over half a kilometre. About 100 metres past the old chalk pits on the left-hand side, take the bridleway to the left and immediately right, on to a footpath which runs along the field edge and then turns left across some more fields. Cross the stiles at the far side.

3 On reaching the lane, turn right. Turn left on to Hangers Way, just over the ford. Go left at the next lane and right just past the pond and continue along Hangers Way. In the dell is the source of the river Rother. Leave Hangers Way here, taking the bridleway left alongside the stream until it meets a lane. Turn right on to the lane.

4 When you reach Lower Green, turn left towards Empshott and then first right to Mabbotts. At the farm take the middle track, following it down a wooded gully to a metal gate. Go through the gate and continue across a large field. At the other side, go through a metal gate, cross over the Rother to Church Lane, where you turn right.

5 Cross over the main road and continue along the path through Cott's Shaw and up the hill behind the Le Court Cheshire Home which is on the site of an earlier ancient manor house of Greatham. Go into an orchard past an old hop kiln. At the far end of the orchard go through the deer fence and turn left up a steep path. Halfway up, the path bears right into a field and follows the hanger.

6 When you reach the lane opposite Bradshott Hall, turn left. At the top of the hill take the footpath on the right along the field edge, following the path as it wiggles down to the lake. Pass the lake and on the far side of the field turn left along the fence - do not climb over the stile but follow the path along the valley. At the end of the conifer plantation, where the path divides, take the right-hand fork up the hanger slope and into the green lane. Go past the pond and on to Sotherington Lane, where you turn right.

7 A short way up the lane, where it bends right, take the footpath on the left-hand side and follow this round the edge of the field until you get to the playing fields. There are good views from here of Selborne Common, which is owned and managed by the National Trust.

8 Halfway down the hedge of the playing field take a path to the right. Turn left at the lane and at the road turn right, back to Selborne village where there is a choice of pubs to quench your thirst.

*The information for this walk has been provided by South East Walks Partnership, with extracts taken from "The Rother Valley Walks" booklet produced by South Downs Conservation Board. For more information on walking routes in Hampshire and the South East, visit the South East Walks website at www.southeastwalks.com