WITH increased numbers of people suffering with anxiety, stress and depression this last year, nature has often offered comfort to those struggling to cope.
Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week with the theme this year based on connecting with nature.
Over the next seven days the Mental Health Foundation is asking the general public to take time to recognise nature and the benefits it has to our everyday lives.
They are encouraging people to share stories, pictures and videos across social media in an attempt to raise awareness, start conversations and improve mental health.
New figures show that around one in eight people across Test Valley suffer from depression with 13.1 per cent of adult GP patients across the borough having had a diagnosis of depression in 2019-20.
In light of Mental Health Awareness Week we have put together a list of some of the best nature walks in North Hampshire.
Here are four you should try this week.
Kingsclere walk
Route distance: 5 miles
Start point: White Hill car park
Kingsclere has varied countryside including open downland, steep slopes, small fields and woodland.
This walk is not for the faint hearted. It has some steep gradients but is worth trying for the beautiful views.
To view route directions click here.
Danebury Hill Fort
Route distance: 0.8 miles
Start point: Danebury car park
Danebury is one of an extensive network of fortified sites across the Hampshire countryside.
The high rampart defences are a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The site is a rich chalk grassland and from the hill fort there are magnificent views including several other hill forts and prehistoric burial mounds.
Evidence suggests that Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort was built 3000 years ago.
It started life as a Late Bronze Age stock enclosure, while the main defences that are now visible were built around 2500 years ago.
The fort remained in use until c.100BC, some 140 years before the Roman invasion of AD43.
To view route directions click here.
Hannington Cottingtons Hill
Route distance: 4.5 miles
Start point: Village Green
Hannington is situated high in the North Wessex Downs - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A network of public rights of way gives walkers opportunities to explore and enjoy this beautiful landscape.
Spectacular views extend south and west from For Down, and north and south from Michael’s Field.
During most seasons you can see skylarks, yellowhammers and many other wild birds. Fieldfares and redwings are regular visitors in winter.
To view route directions click here.
Longparish Dead Mans Plack
Route distance: 6.5 miles
Start point: Village Hall
The valley is about half a mile wide, flanked by low ridges, with Harewood Forest to the north and west.
An excellent network of footpaths, including part of the Test Way, links the settlements. The paths provides some memorable views of the old cottages, the landscape and the river.
Livestock graze the low lying fields of the valley. Arable crops such as barley, wheat and oilseed rape are grown on the rising ground. Small spinneys and areas planted provide cover for game birds and other wildlife.
Harewood Forest was a royal hunting forest in Saxon and Norman times. But now the forest is managed for forestry, hunting and wildlife.
Dead Man's Plack itself is a Grade-II listed 19th-century monument erected in the memory Earl Athelwold.
According to legend, Athelwold was killed there in 963 by his rival in love King Edgarto.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here