Beacon Hill walk on 5th April 2023

With the generous help of Beacon Hill Football Club, we found ourselves at the start of our walk. After a wander through some backroads in Beacon Hill we eventually turned down into the Golden Valley. Despite the steep path and slightly alternative route, we were successful in finding ourselves at one of the lowest points in the valley accessible to the public, with a fence guarding a large house further down the valley. Turning back we took the slow path up the valley to eventually reach the main Hindhead to Farnham road. From there we wandered up to the viewpoint at the Devils Punch Bowl.

There are many stories about how the Devil's Punch Bowl got its name - an argument with Thor  or even the Devil wishing to flood the area as too many churches were being built. However on good authority it can be revealed that the Devil stole a cauldron from a witch near Waverley Abbey. She chased after him, he leapt from hill to hill (the Devils Jumps near Churt) and the Devil eventually went to earth, creating the Devils Punch Bowl. By way of proof, the cauldron can still be seen in Frensham Church....... perhaps a future walk may go that way?

After a drinks stop in the area of the Punch Bowl Cafe, we headed north along the edge of the Punch Bowl. 0ur route diverted down a little used path to Gravel Hanger, below Marchants Hill. It is a good path, little used, surrounded by trees on small hills either side. However, what goes down must go up so we had a long ascent which needed a few pauses to recuperate before we reached the top. The path then went alongside grounds of the PGL activity centre - who seem to specialize in adventure holidays for 8 to 16 year olds. Abseil towers, zip wires, giant swings are all part of the menu and despite young popular opinion PGL does not stand for Parents Get Lost, but are the initials of the founder, Peter Gordon Lawrence, who started it all in the 1950's.  A short way up the road we were re-united with our cars and then took the journey to the Fox and Pelican in Grayshott, where we had an excellent lunch.

The pre-walk team talk and huddle

Upright citizens, but the trees weren't

You're going the wrong way, no you really are, don't you believe me?

Striding towards the coffee break, pity someone spilt theirs earlier

The coffee break

Sharing my coffee may persuade you to let me join, but I won't let on I just wanted a lighter rucksack for the rest of the walk

The nonchalant leader and his flock

Nessum Dorma OK, I'll conduct, you sing, on the count of three.....

A good gardener is always equipped for that last minute pruning

We will not all fit in there for lunch.

Getting our breath back half way up the final ascent

The summit team, Sherpa Tenzing, eat your heart out!

Originally built as a temperance house. One shareholder was a certain George Bernard Shaw who lived just up the road

Luckily the temperance tradition had been changed and it is now owned by Fullers, a well known purveyor of refreshing drinks....

About 4 miles

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• Duncton Walk on 12th April 2023 →