Take a stroll through Boarhunt, taking in Portsdown Hill and Nelson's Monument, this weekend.

Leave the Fort Nelson nature reserve car park by the footpath which takes you up to the car park entrance. Bear in mind the car park is locked at 4pm.

Through the trees you’ll see glimpses of the Solent and Isle of Wight over in the distance.

Cross the busy Portsdown Hill Road and follow the ‘pedestrians this way’ sign outside the front of the Victorian fortress Fort Nelson, where its landmark giant cannons are on display.

Progress along the footpath, passing the Fort Nelson entrance on your left-hand side and head towards the adjacent car park, where the first sighting of Nelson’s Monument looms into view.

Pass through the traffic cones into the field beyond, where you can make a close inspection of the monument, which stands 34 metres high and has looked over Portsdown Hill since 1808. If you squint up skywards, you can make out Lord Horatio Nelson’s bust at the top.

Proceed through Temeraire Gate and turn left onto Monument Lane.

When you see the first footpath sign to your right, walk through the gate and head diagonally across the field.

Along this stretch of the route you will be treated by panoramic views of Portsmouth and the Solent to your right, and the scenic farmhouses, hills and copses dotted around the Meon Valley on your left.

Once you reach the far corner, squeeze past the perimeter fence of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Portsdown West research facility and continue in the same direction across the following field.

Make the gentle descent down the hillside into the basin below, following the path until you arrive at the field edge.

Then head left down Portchester Lane, passing Forest of Bere Dairy and Offwell Farm on your right.

As you descend, the hedgerows are high here, so keep your ears out for any traffic approaching in front or behind.

Eventually you’ll hear cars running along the B2177, which will come into view on your right.

Stay on Portchester Lane as it bends left and runs adjacent to the busy road until you stumble across a footpath sign on your left among overgrown hedgerows.

Climb the track to the crossing gate and step over into an arable field.

Head right and stick to the edge of the field until you come across a sign pointing to the footpath.

Cross this and then maintain the same direction across the next field along the grassy footpath on its righthand edge (also signposted).

Head to the bottom right corner of the field and through a wooded copse.

Soon you’ll pass a cottage on the left hand side.

Follow the path round into woods until you reach a gate that opens into another field.

Continue along the obvious boundary.

Be aware that it does get boggy here underfoot.

As you follow the boundary, you will see Nelson’s Monument return to your view up in the distance to the left.

Eventually you will arrive at a gate at the edge of Ashley Down Way.

Turn left and follow the road until you reach a crossroads.

Follow the sign pointing towards Boarhunt and Fareham and continue, soon passing Manor View Cottage on the corner.

Enjoy being deep in farmland territory here with outbuildings and cottages sprinkled around the view ahead.

Turn right at the next road and take care following it uphill as there is no path and hedgerows are high.

When you reach the crest of the hill, cross the road and follow the public footpath sign.

Head uphill through a rapeseed field, with Nelson’s Monument on your left-hand side.

Once you reach the corner of the field, take the track through into the adjoining field with the pylon on your left.

Head diagonally through this field directly towards the monument and the rear of Fort Nelson.

As you progress, further views of the Solent beyond will begin to appear.

Arrive at the style, then follow the grassy path on your left all the way round until you reach a bench facing the Meon Valley. Here’s a great spot to rest and take in the view.

Head uphill to the next gate, then follow the grass path as it takes you back to Nelson’s Monument via Portchester Lane.

Retrace your steps to the Fort Nelson nature reserve car park, stopping off at the Fort Nelson café if you feel in need of refreshments.

Written by David Jones, Senior Press Officer at Ordnance Survey

Walk at a glance

Start: Fort Nelson Nature Reserve Car Park, Portsdown Hill Road, Portchester, PO17 6AN (across the road opposite Fort Nelson).

Distance: 6.3km

Time: 1hr 44 mins

Difficulty: Moderate

URL: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/2686318/

Map: OS Explorer OL3 (Meon Valley – Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham)

Toilets: Fort Nelson Royal Armouries

Nearest Coffee Shop: Fort Nelson Royal Armouries

Nearest Pub: Red Lion, High Street, Southwick, PO17 6EF

OS Maps App rating: 4.5 stars

Three tips to navigate with OS Maps App

1. The red triangle on the OS Maps App is your friend. Hold your phone out in front of you like a torch, and if you turn 180 degrees, so will the triangle. That points you in the direction you need to go.

2. Don’t slavishly follow the red line on the route. Remember, in OS Maps App, this line is only a navigational guide. Pay close attention to the pathways (denoted by black dotted lines on the map). In practice these are the markings you’ll need to make your way around on the ground.

3. Keep an eye on the app whenever approaching forks in the route. Use common sense - if a suggested path looks untrodden or in bad condition, then stay on the main one.

Download OS Maps App from the Ordnance Survey shop. Full annual subscription is available for £34.99.