Gallery

Viewing galleries from August, 2024

Duncton Walk on 21st August 2024

Ten of the walking group met outside Grafham Primary School ready to start our walk, led by Isabel, which took us across open fields to Ridlington Farm. The farmer had obviously been taking advantage of the good weather as there was a large amount of grain stored in one of his barns. We crossed another field to Westerlands Farm, where we had hoped to have coffee at Emma’s Horsebox Café, but it  only opens at weekends. Phoning to ask for service did not really seem viable, especially as we were not a large group and time did not allow for setting up. However, we were interested to pass the Woodfire Camping site with hot showers, campfires, wood-fired cooking and crystal-clear drinking water straight from a borehole, all set in a beautiful rural spot with views of the South Downs. Next was a shady walk passing through the edge of Duncton Common, with a coffee stop on an old bank. At Heath End we crossed the A285 and walked past Burton Park. This was once a girls’ school but has now been converted into apartments in scenic parkland. We crossed back over the A 285 to our cars and drove to the Badgers Pub, where we enjoyed our lunch.This was previously known as The Railway Inn in the late1800’s and was the old charabanc stop on the way to Goodwood racecourse, as well as serving Petworth railway Station, which closed in the 1960’s. 

Midhurst Common walk on 14th August 2024

The walk led by Pauline and Linda was a tour around the Midhurst commons. Starting out from the Iping Common car park we headed west along the Serpent Trail. Within 600 meters we quite unknowingly crossed the route of the Roman Road from Silcester (near Reading) to Chichester, built by the Romans to assist with the delivery of mail, fortunately without the assistance of Fijitsu and the Post Office. We were also lucky not to know the Serpent Trail is named after all three native snakes, which live in the area! After admiring vaste swathes of beautiful heather we left the Serpent Trail and turned back into the Fitzhall Heath and Plantation before coming across the formidable security fencing around the site of the inactive Minsted sandpit, originally developed after WW II for building material extraction. Locals have sucessfully stopped the South Downs National Parks Authority allowing more excavation on the adjacent area of The Severals. After a few twists and turns we were once again on the Serpent Trail, which took us through The Severals to Woolmer Bridge, Stedhan Common and eventually back to the car park. The Hamilton Arms beckoned and we retreated there to enjoy some tasty Thai food. The walk was a little over 5 miles and mostly flat

Fernhurst Walk on 7th August 2024

Jay and Lindsay's walk started out from the car park next to the Fernhurst Recreation Ground. From there we walked past the church, crossed the A286 and proceeded down Vann Road. After a short while we turned off to take footpaths past Hawksfold Farm and Lower Hawksfold. From there we left houses behind  and we were in Copseland! Amon's, Peckham's, Turners and Whitter's Copse were all explored, along with a few inclines and "declines", but we all survived to cross the A286 once again. Now it was the turn of Guildford Copse, but this was the favourite as the Drinks break was due and seats were provided!  From there we headed north past Courts Farm to reach the Grade II listed Verdley Place. Luckily we were quite unaware we had passed the site where the last bear was killed in England, and still said to haunt the spot. Ignorance is bliss! After Verdley Place we headed by path and road to reach the Red Lion for a great lunch and greeted an unexpected visitor complete with a box of chocolates. An excellent end to the 5 mile walk.

East Dean walk on 31st July 2024

On a warm, sunny day, the walk started at the Star & Garter in East Dean and immediately headed uphill. Skirting Halfmoon Piece we entered Wood Lea and descended to North Lane. Turning left onto North Lane we descended further to meet the West Sussex Literary Trail. A short climb took us to the coffee stop where the views were widely admired. Crossing North Down, we re-entered the woods and then made our way through the woods to Pond Barn. From there it was an easy walk past Wests of East Dean back to the Star and Garter for a good lunch. The total of 617 feet ascent over the 4.76 mile walk was met with ease by our walkers and a combination of high cloud and lengthy times in woodland helped keep us cooler than anticipated.