On the Real Watership Down
Hare Warren Down
The western neighbour to Watership Down.
On the ridge between Hare Warren Down and Watership Down, Doctor Adams stopped the car.
‘I should think this would be as good as anywhere,’ he said. ‘There’s not a lot of harm he can do here, if you come to think about it.’
They walked a short distance eastwards from the road and Lucy set the rabbit down. It sat stupefied for nearly half a minute and then suddenly dashed away over the grass.
‘Yes, he has got something the matter with that leg, you see,’ said Doctor Adams, pointing. ‘But he could perfectly well live for years, as far as that goes. Born and bred in a briar patch, Brer Fox.’
Chapter Forty Nine—Hazel Comes Home
Trees on Hare Warren Down at dusk.
Hare Warren Down receives just one brief mention in Chapter Forty Nine, Hazel Comes Home, due to its proximity to the place where Dr Adams and Lucy release Hazel back into the wild following his brief captivity. Adams describes this ridge as being ‘between Watership Down and Hare Warren Down’, the next hilltop west along the escarpment.
World War II Pylon.
It’s a beautiful walk up onto Hare Warren Down. Hug the grass slope along the escarpment and you have a wonderful view of Nuthanger Down and the tree-lined western slope of Watership Down. Underneath the latter is the large field and the pylon line that are so integral to the novel’s climax.
The power line climbs the hill up onto Hare Warren Down and the first pylon here is curious for the World War II themed memorabilia and stickers that surround one corner of its base. I’m not sure of this seemingly out of place shrine’s relevance to this specific location, but I would like to be enlightened.
Gallery
The Wayfarer’s Walk down, and then up, onto Hare Warren Down.
Hare Warren Down at dusk.
Hare Warren Down at dusk.
Sunset over Hare Warren Down, taken from the lane.
Following the pylon south to Ashley Warren Down.
The pylon line seen from Hare Warren Down.
Sheep on Hare Warren Down. July 2025.
Sheep on Hare Warren Down. July 2025.
The Wayfarer’s Walk, Hare Warren Down.
Hare Warren Down sunset. Taken from the lane.
Trees on the western slope of Watership Down.
View back to Nuthanger Down. Note the transmitter mast.
