Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Alice Holt Day Walk 31st January 2018

Jeff led the walk through Alice Holt without hesitation, deviation or repetition on a cold  but reasonably dry day for a winter walk.           Owned by the Forestry Commisssion, this ancient woodland has an extensive history. In the 1st century BC, Iron Age people made pottery here which the Romans later developed and it became a major industry for the area. Charles II had it replanted and 130 year later the timber was almost all used up to aid the navy during the Napoleonic Wars. Another 30 year later replanting took place and apart from the drain on resources of the Forest during WW1, it has been a successful Forest ever since.                The walkers had a very pleasant lunch in The Bluebell in Dockenfield before returning to the car park . The walk was about 7 miles.  Thanks to Isabel for the photos.

The once Royal Forest

Rabbitting on

About 7 miles

Catkins!

Setting out

Lots of interesting uses of wood

A gruffalo?

Great middle name for a forester

Forestry commission pathway

Beware Crassula Helmsii

Drink break

Nice carving

Bluebell lunch

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