Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Compton walk 31st May 2023

We parked in Compton and rallied in front of The Coach and Horses for our 4.5 mile meander through the countryside. The route took us by Compton Farm, across the field to the woods at East Hanger, enjoying the shade before reaching Bevis’s Thumb long barrow. Tim grew in stature as he regaled us with a colourful rendition of the tales of the giant Bevis and his large dog. We walked the road, dodging vehicles before turning off across fields at Apple Down in the direction of Up Marden. Our coffee break was at St Michael’s Church in Up Marden, a 13th century church with the remnants of 15th century wall paintings, the best being of St Christopher carrying baby Jesus. The boundaries of coincidence were stretched when one of our walkers met another resting walker who was an ex work colleague and the visitors book had homages to the J.L.Carr book, A Month in the Country. After the break we retraced steps down the hill, turned into more barley fields then turning into Grevitts Copse, across another field before the steep climb up to Locksash Farm where we spotted a Meercat and woman footballer, their movements were a bit wooden though. The path north gave rolling views of West Marden and Compton from East Hanger before we passed the school and made our way into the newly refurbished Coach and Horses for an excellent lunch.

And they’re off

Through barley field with South Downs behind

The tale of Giant Bevis and his big dog with a big tail

All the walkers in front of Bevis’s Thumb long barrow

Ewe, that hurt!

A barley seawave under a blue sky

Waist high in barley

A relaxed coffee stop St Michael’s,

Up Marden

Follow the green barley road

We’re smiling now because we can see the hill ahead

Climbing the hill, not so funny now.

Mr Orlov on lookout

Wooden players

Lunch at The Coach and Horses

About 4.1/2 miles

Recent galleries

History

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
1997