The best part about a British country side walk is the pub waiting for you at the end! A nice cold pint and hearty burger and chips makes it all worth it. On the doorstep of Winchester is the huge national park, The South Downs, with uncountable walks, strolls and hikes throughout for all different levels. Here we have started with the pubs first then the beautiful walks that make the pub worth it!

The Milburys Inn

Distance from Winchester: 15 minute drive

Length of walk: 7.5 miles

The Pub: A quaint pub in the heart of Beauworth, perfect for passing cyclists, walkers and rallies

The Milburys Inn is situated right on the South Downs Way. The South Downs Way is a 100 mile walk from Winchester to Eastbourne through the amazing National Park. Many walkers split the walk into smaller sections and The Milyburys Inn is a great starting or finishing point.

There is a circular route that The Telegraph has mapped out for you here.

The Bakers Arms

Distance from Winchester: 20 minute drive

Length of walk: 4.5 miles

The Pub: The Bakers Arms, Droxford. Voted winner of the Best Roast category at the Hampshire Life Food & Drink Awards 2012

This Meon Valley walk passes 3 pubs so plenty of refreshments on this 2.5 hour circular walk. The Bakers Arms will be warmly welcoming you near the end of your walk with a cold pint. This cosy traditional pub is renovated to a modern standard keeping the classic dark mahogany, wooden beams and log fire that gives a pub the classic British feel. They often put on new specials and regularly have exciting events to keep you coming back!

See the full circular walk by Steve Davison here.

The Plough Inn

Distance from Winchester: 11 minutes

Length of Walk: 2.5 miles

The Pub: The Plough Inn, for anyone with a sweet tooth.

This shorter walk towards the river Itchen Abbas passes the Avington Park House, a large stately home where the river supplies water to their pond. On route you will pass old mills and water falls so bring your camera. The Plough Inn in the village of Itchen Abbas has mouth-drooling desserts from homemade baileys and chocolate cookie cheesecake served with homemade chocolate truffles to almond and thyme frangipane served with homemade stem ginger ice cream.

Click here for the full circular instructions from Thomas Shallett.

The Hinton Arms

Distance from Winchester: 13 minutes

Length of walk: 4 miles

The Pub: The Hinton Arms, top quality food delivered with top quality service. Locally sourced produce and home grown vegetables.

This walk starts just 10 minutes from the Hinton Arms at the Hinton Ampner stately home. This 4 mile Dutton Estate walk is through charismatic woodland preserved by the National Trust. There is an abundance of wildlife including Roe Deer that you may be lucky enough to see on the walk. Finish your walk by heading to The Hinton Arms for a hot chocolate!

See the National Trust walk instructions here.

There is also a longer walk starting and finishing at The Hinton Arms Pub walking you through the old battle fields of the civil war battle of Cheriton. See this walk here.

The Bugle Inn

Distance from Winchester: 12 minute drive

Length of Walk: 6 miles

The Pub: The Bugle Inn, in the heart of the quaint Twyford Village

The Kingfisher walking trail takes you across the rolling hills of the South Downs and along the stunning Itchen river valley. This walk is bustling with wildlife with support and funding from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wild Life Trust. It is important to keep this area clean to help the conservation of the area. After a long 3 hour walk you will deserve a drink and fill up the empty stomachs with a cambert tapas sharing board.

See the Kingfisher Trail here.

Stay Close

A warm cosy but spacious town house just outside of Winchester is the perfect retreat after long walks over The South Downs. No. 78 Cross Road sleeps up to 4 guests and has a parking permit for one car. No. 78 Cross Road is the perfect balance between a UK city break and a rural retreat. Just a short drive and there is an abundance of quaint villages, rolling hills as far as the eyes can see and traditional country pubs. In the opposite direction, it is only a 15 minute walk into the heart of the city centre with swanky bars and high street shopping.