Shawford Down was an easy to find walk for us, we wanted somewhere out in the open but a short walk just to get out for some fresh air. Shawford Down was perfect for this. 

There is a large sign on the entrance, but when we visited the car park down the bottom was shut and people were parking along the limited spaces along the track to this. 

A green Welcome to Shawford Down sign stands beside a telegraph pole with various notices, surrounded by tall grass and yellow daffodils. Black and white road signs are visible in the background, marking the start of the Shawford Down Walk. We parked in the station car park as it was a Sunday and you can do so on this day. 

A small brick building with a red door and several arched windows sits beside a car park in Shawford. A few people stand near the entrance, perhaps gathering before a short walk up to scenic Shawford Down under a partly cloudy sky.

There are plenty of walks from this spot, and you can take a look at the large map near the entrance. 

A wooden signboard displays a map titled Explore Compton & Shawford and its local countryside with photos, a Short Walk, walking routes, and information, set outdoors with grass and trees in the background.

We just wanted a small circular walk, and just went around the purple marked paths on the map. 

A close-up photo of a detailed map highlights Shawford Down Local Nature Reserve, marked trails for a short walk, parking areas, a railway station, and a red star showing a specific spot near Shawford village.

Go through the gate and turn left to take you up the hill. 

Two people in casual clothes stand by a wooden gate on the Shawford Down Walk, surrounded by grassy fields and a blue sky with fluffy clouds. One person holds a map whilst the other opens the gate on this small walk. Three people enjoy a short walk along a grassy, slightly muddy path beside a fence, bordered by leafless trees under a partly cloudy blue sky in the rural landscape of Shawford Down.

With the memorial cross on your right-hand side. 

A grassy field with patches of brown and green, sparse bushes on the right, and a cloudy sky. In the distance, a tall stone cross monument stands near the horizon—an inviting scene for a small walk on Shawford Down.

The views up here are brilliant and you can see quite far across the hills. 

A grassy path offers a small walk through an open field bordered by trees under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Shawford Down’s rolling hills and distant houses are visible in the background. A rural landscape with rolling hills, scattered trees, and a cluster of houses with red roofs partially hidden among the greenery under a cloudy blue sky—perfect for a small walk near Shawford Down.

It would be a good place to have a picnic or take a little walk with the kids or dog. 

A grassy field with scattered trees under a blue sky filled with white clouds and visible vapour trails, with rolling hills in the distant background—perfect for a short walk on Shawford Down.

It’s pretty peaceful up here, apart from the sound of the very close M3 motorway!! 

There aren’t really any directions to give you as we just walked around the large open area to stretch everyone’s legs and grab some fresh air. 

Shawford Down Short Walk 

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14 Comments

  1. You can not beat getting out for some fresh air. We are lucky that there are many walks near us. I like how the council has put up some suggested routes very helpful for people out of area.

    • Yes it is for people who aren’t local, nice to show people routes that they are unfamiliar with

    • Yes and these type of places aren’t usually on easy to access routes either are they, shame as it stops people being able to enjoy them

  2. Melanie williams Reply

    I love this, it reminds me of a similar walk that we do near ours. I love that the village has a notice board these are always really useful to find out what’s going on x

  3. This would be the perfect spot for a family walk. We have two dogs as well who would absolutely love this beautiful area!

  4. MELANIE EDJOURIAN Reply

    I’m looking for lovely places like this to go walking. Now the weather is warmer it’s nice to get out in the fresh air for a few hours.

    • Theres lots of little walks hidden around us that we don’t even know they are there

  5. What a beautiful walk! We are so lucky to be blessed with gorgeous countryside walks like these aren’t we? It looks so nice and peaceful there.

    • We are super lucky, most the time we don’t even realise it’s on our doorstep

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