Martin Down is a 350-hectare area of chalk grassland. Its character also includes archaeological remains such as the Bokerley Dyke and a Bronze Age burial mound. During a stay in Martin, you can therefore consider the landscape, prehistory and a named circular walk as distinct travel interests.

Chalk grassland and traces of the past

The Bokerley Dyke is a linear earthwork about 5.75 km long on Martin Down. It was built in the Middle Bronze Age and was later also used by Romano-Britons. Its historical context therefore includes both its construction period and a later phase of use. A Bronze Age burial mound on Martin Down is a prehistoric monument, distinct as a burial mound from the earthwork’s elongated form. The 350 hectares refer to the chalk grassland area, while the approximately 5.75 kilometres refer to the Bokerley Dyke. Area and linear length describe two different aspects of the destination: the landscape and a specific archaeological feature.

A named circular walk

Martin Down & Vernditch W20 is an easy circular walk. This provides a named walking option for planning an outing, which can be considered as a separate theme alongside the archaeological focus. The name also makes clear that it is a circular route. When planning, you can decide whether the main focus of your day should be a walk, the landscape or prehistory.

Parking and directions

There is parking for Martin Down in Martin and off the A354, north of the Sixpenny Handley roundabout. The two location references differ: one is based on the village of Martin, the other on the road and roundabout. When planning your journey, you can therefore search specifically for the location reference to Martin or the one to the A354 and the roundabout.

Planning cycling and riding with access information

A Natural England map published on 2 December 2016 showing public access at Martin Down National Nature Reserve identifies certain areas for cycling and riding. It also notes that access may be restricted and that riding and cycling rights are not permanent. The map should therefore not be read as blanket permission for the entire area; the designated areas and restriction notices are what matter. If you plan either activity, check the current access information before your visit. This keeps your decision guided by the zones actually shown.

Choose your stay to suit your interests

When looking for a holiday rental in Martin, you can first decide which aspect of the destination matters most to you: chalk grassland and archaeological remains, or a named circular walk. For cycling and riding, the map and its designated areas add another point to consider when planning.

Discover more destinations: Bordon, Buriton, Herriard, Sutton Scotney, Sherfield English, Petersfield, Fordingbridge, Basingstoke

See the broader travel overview: Hampshire.