Temple of the Winds hike

South Downs

Temple of the Winds hike

Distance: 3.2km

Elevation: 21m

Time: 1h

Difficulty Rating:

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User Ratings:

9.8 Overall Rating

Technical Difficulty

Physical Difficulty

The Temple of the Winds walk is a short, relatively flat walk in the South Downs. This hike is an absolute must do for all walkers in the Sussex area, regardless of ability. From the stone bench seat halfway through the walk, you’re rewarded with some of the best views the South Downs have to offer. Lord Tennyson himself was said to have spent hours in this spot composing his poems, and once you reach the bench you’ll want to stay too.

Temple of the Winds hike Map

Getting there

If driving, use postcode GU27 3BJ, to park at the main upper car park for the National Trusts Black Down, off of Tennyson’s Lane. Parking is free. Trains run directly from London and Portsmouth to nearby Haslemere, 3.0km away, from there you can get a taxi.

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About

When to do	Year round
Backcountry Campsites	No
Toilets	Yes, at Haslemere Train Station
Family friendly	Yes
Route Signage	None
Crowd Levels	Moderate
Route Type	Lollipop

Temple of the Winds
Elevation Graph

Weather

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Route Description for Temple of the Winds hike

We love the Temple of the Winds walk. Start on the wide track to the left-hand side of the car park. Walk uphill, through the wooden gate and past an information board. Be sure to pause shortly after the notice board, at the bench hidden up the bank on the left, for a spectacular view point. When you reach a fork in the path, take the trail to right, crossing over a smaller downhill trail and continuing straight, passing a small pond on your right, until you reach another fork.

Take the wide left trail at the fork, heading slightly uphill. Keep on this main trail, ignoring other side trails until you reach another trail junction, turn left again, following the main wide trail around the edge of the Heath.

At the next junction of trails, take the trail immediately to the left and walk uphill past the bench – another resting point with spectacular views. At the top of the hill you’ll see a wooden sign for ‘Temple of the Winds’ pointing you straight ahead. Follow the arrow to the opening and then turn down the slope of the right.

At the bottom of the slope you’ll find a beautiful curved stone bench and the breath-taking views that Tennyson fell in love with. These beautiful views make this our favourite walk in the South Downs.

When you’re ready to move on, return up the slope and continue straight ahead on the right-hand fork. This part of the trail dips down and passes another small pond on your right.

After a short distance another trail joins via steps from the right, ignore this and continue straight ahead to the fork. Take the right fork and follow it all the way back to the car park, turning right at the next and final fork along the way.

Insider Hints

Since you're in the area, the Swan Barn Farm is National Trust site of woodland and pastures only 30 seconds from nearby Haslemere High Street.
Mellow Farm Adventure campground is about 20 minutes from Haslemere. The working farm, with lots of animals to see, offers seasonal camping, as well as lots of onsite activities such as kayaking and orienteering.

Comments

2-3h

This walk circles the idyllic village of East Meon, starting at the historic 13th century All Saints church. The hike…