Established along a stagecoach route linking London and Exeter, Hook is a lively village in the English county of Hampshire. Once dotted with traveller inns, it began attracting railway workers and London commuters following the construction of the Hook railway station in 1883.
On the edge of Hook is Bassett’s Mead Country Park, a 10-hectare green space with wildflower-filled meadows, woodlands and floodplains. You can stretch your legs on the circular walking trail that leads along the banks of the River Whitewater while keeping your eyes peeled for native birdlife.
A short drive south of Hook are the ruins of Odiham Castle, one of three fortifications built by King John during his 13th-century reign. Admire the remains of the octagonal keep and wander amidst the surrounding earthworks while learning about the site’s role in the signing of the Magna Carta.
Getting there
Hook is around a 10-minute drive from Basingstoke and an hour from the centre of London. Heathrow Airport is 30 minutes away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Hook railway station and the village is small enough to explore on foot.