THE HOME FRONT WALK
Walk in the footsteps of those who served, trained, and sacrificed to defend our nation - past and present - by undertaking The Home Front Walk: Southwick Park through the landscape of the wartime South Downs.
THE HISTORY
The walk begins at the Petersfield Town War Memorial, a place of remembrance honouring those who served in both WWI and WWII. From here, the route heads south through the Hampshire countryside, passing through Buriton and into the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, where landscapes like these were once used for military training during the Second World War.
Continuing through Clanfield and Denmead, walkers follow quiet rural routes that supported the movement of troops and supplies in the lead-up to D-Day, forming part of Britain’s vital “Home Front”.
The walk finishes at Southwick Park, headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force in 1944. It was here that Dwight D. Eisenhower, alongside Bernard Montgomery, gave the final order for the D-Day landings on 5 June 1944, one of the most pivotal moments of WWII.
With the landings going ahead, there was nothing more that could be done by the staff at Southwick Park, other than to monitor events as they played out over D Day and during the following days and months. That evening, after giving the orders to go, Eisenhower sat at Southwick Park and wrote in pencil a press release, “Our landings have failed and I have withdrawn our troops…if any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.”
THE CHALLENGE
Covering 18 miles, the Home Front Walk is both a physical and reflective challenge. We invite you to test your physical endurance while honouring the commitment and resilience of the Army Family.
Whether you’re walking to pay tribute, to push yourself, or to support the ABF, every step you take helps us provide lifelong support to soldiers, veterans, and their families.
Where is it?
Start at the Petersfield War Memorial, East Hampshire.
When is it?
17th October 2026
How much is it?
Registration fee: £35
Fundraising target: £150 per person
What's included?
Full support from registration to event including fundraising support, training guides, historical briefings, refreshments & lunch on the route, medical support, medal and a ceremony at the finish line.
Have a question?
Visit the FAQs tab for more information, or contact events@armybenevolentfund.org or call 020 7811 3230.
