On the Real Watership Down
Ladle Hill House
One afternoon toward the end of the month, Blackavar had taken Scabious and young Threar (the son of Fiver) on a training raid to the garden of Ladle Hill House, about a mile away to the west. (“A soft touch,” as he called it.) Hazel had felt some anxiety about the youngsters going so far, but had left the decision (which resembled Edward III’s “Que l’enfant gagne ses éperons” at Crécy) to Bigwig, as captain of Owsla. They were not back by twilight, and Hazel, after watching with Bigwig in the November nightfall until it was almost completely dark, came down into the Honeycomb in some anxiety.
“Don’t worry, Hazel-rah,” said Bigwig cheerfully. “Likely as not Blackavar’s keeping them out all night for the experience.”
“But he told you he wouldn’t,” answered Hazel. “Don’t you remember he said—”
Just then there was a scuffling from up Kehaar’s run, and after a few moments the three adventurers appeared, muddy and tired, but otherwise, to all appearances, none the worse.
Tales From Watership Down; Chapter Six—The Rabbit’s Ghost Story
Ladle Hill House, November 2025.
Ladle Hill House is a large residential property on the Old Burghclere to Kingsclere Road, just west of Sydmonton. Concealed by a high hedge and trees, it is located due north of the landmark hill from which it takes its name. As the crow flies, it is just under a mile and half from the Watership Down beech hanger to Ladle Hill House.
The House is mentioned in Tales From Watership Down (Chapter Six, The Rabbit’s Ghost Story) as the target of a garden raid conducted by Blackavar, Scabious and Fiver’s son Threar. On their return, Scabious sees what he interprets to be the ghost of General Woundwort.
