Fantasy · Adventure
Watership Down
Bestseller: about 50 million copies (estimate)A small group of rabbits flees their doomed warren after one of them has a vision of disaster, and they travel across the English countryside to found a new home, facing predators and rival warrens on the way.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1972
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 385
- Format
- Book 1 of 2 in Watership Down
Read this if you want an animal story that is also a full-blooded adventure, with its own language and mythology.
Skip this if you want a soft read; there is real violence and loss.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Watership Down
- What is Watership Down about?
- A small group of rabbits flees their doomed warren after one of them has a vision of disaster, and they travel across the English countryside to found a new home, facing predators and rival warrens on the way.
- Who should read Watership Down?
- Read it if you want an animal story that is also a full-blooded adventure, with its own language and mythology. Skip it if you want a soft read; there is real violence and loss.
- How long and how fast is Watership Down?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 385 pages, first published in 1972.
- Does Watership Down have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Animal death.
- Can I borrow Watership Down for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Watership Down; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Watership Down?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Redwall, The Wind in the Willows, The Last Unicorn.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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