08 – Liss to Petersfield

Description

The Hills to Harbour Trail is a series of self-guided walking routes that link the stations along the railway line between Guildford and Portsmouth. You can walk between any pair of stations.

Walk 08 is 4.5 miles in length and takes you from Liss to Petersfield railway station.

Follow the Shipwrights Way to the delightful town of Petersfield. We will stray slightly from the main route to explore paths that are better suited to walking.

Liss has a cafe and a pub. Petersfield has a wide selection of shops and places for refreshment. The popular Harrow pub is about 3 miles into the walk (but note, in October 2025 payments by cash and cheque only were accepted).

Start and End

Liss/Petersfield

Distance

4.5 miles

Time

2 hours 30 mins

Grade

4/10 - Farm, heath and woodland paths. Stepped footbridge over railway

Accessibility

Not push/wheelchair accessible

Route Map
Download GPX File

Upload the GPX file to your walking app

Walk Instructions

  1. You can leave Liss Station by either platform. Walk towards the level-crossing and turn left along Station Road (un-signed.)
    You are joining the Shipwrights Way. There are waymarks (blue arrows showing a ship’s wheel) at most junctions, but they are not always obvious.
    (There’s a cafe and a pub amongst the shops in Liss.)
  2. At the end of the shops and opposite the pub, fork right. (It is signed to ‘Rogate, Rake, Hill Brow, B3006’ but the lettering is only visible from one side of the signpost.)
  3. If you are on the right-hand pavement, cross over just before the turn to Andlers Ash Road and keep forward on the left-hand pavement of Hill Brow Road.
    (The Shipwrights Way branches right but we will continue forward on a route better suited to walking. We will re-join the Shipwrights Way later.)
  4. Follow the bend round to the left and continue along the service road to the entrance to the school car park. Turn right across the road. Don’t take the drive marked ‘Canaan’ and ‘Vellondreath’ but follow the footpath beside and to the left of the drive.
  5. At the far side of the field, turn left.
  6. At the corner of the field, follow the path as it turns to the right and continue beside the field with the hedge to your left.
  7. The path turns left to a metal-grid gate. Go through the gate and turn right on Stodham Lane (un-signed.)
  8. Continue forward along the metaled road which joins from the left (Pruetts Lane, un-signed.)
  9. At the triangular junction of roads, continue slightly to the left and uphill.
  10. At the entrance to Stodham Park, bear right into Tankerdale Lane (un-signed.)
  11. Cross the railway via the footbridge and continue forward for a third of a mile passing Petersfield Golf Course on your left. As the road starts to climb and bend to the right, bear left along the footpath beside the course.
  12. Skirt the edge of the course then turn left along the well surfaced track parallel to the main road (A3.)
    (Golf course etiquette – For your own safety and for the enjoyment of those playing golf, try to keep behind the ball being played and avoid moving when someone is about to play.)
  13. When you emerge onto Farnham Road (un-signed) turn sharp right.
  14. Pass through the tunnel under the main road, climb the hill ahead and go around the bend to the right. At the top of the hill, turn sharp left at the junction. The no-through-road opposite is clearly marked ‘Sandy Land’ and the well-surfaced track you are now following is a continuation of this.
  15. Where the road bends to the right, turn slightly left along the track.
  16. Continue forward with a deep ravine to your right. The path descends to pass in front of a row of white cottages. Bear right to cross the footbridge over the stream and join Harrow Lane (un-signed.)
  17. Pass in front of the pub and then forward at the cross-roads to continue along Harrow Lane.
    (Note: In October 2025, the pub was accepting payments by cash and cheque only.)
  18. After crossing the dual-carriageway via the footbridge, bear right then left to pass in front of the white cottage.
  19. Continue forward along Tilmore Road (un-signed) where Reservoir Road and The Purrocks join from the left
  20. Keep forward along Tilmore Road (un-signed.)
  21. Pass a seat on your left and continue forwards for a further 50 yards to the stone wall at the entrance to Tilmore Lea. Cross the road to fork right away from the road along the surfaced path. You have joined The Hangers Way.
  22. In about 100 yards, continue forwards at the cross paths and then almost immediately bear left.
  23. When the path emerges onto Station Road, turn left to find Petersfield Station on your right.
    (Petersfield town centre is over the level crossing and then to your right. You will find a good selection of cafes, pubs, and shops in the town.)

Safe Walking

Walking is a sociable activity so travel with someone else if you can. It’s also best for safety. Follow the usual walking guidelines about clothing, footwear, drinks, food, and first aid kit. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back

Refreshments

Many stations have opportunities nearby for refreshments when you arrive. The towns have cafes and pubs, and there are some along the route as well. They may have more restricted opening than those in London, particularly for serving food, so check websites for opening times when planning.

Reporting footpath issues

The Hills to Harbour Trail crosses three counties, all of which have good, on-line facilities for reporting rights of way issues. If you find something that needs fixing, please report it on the appropriate webpage.

Search for “report rights of way” followed by the county name.