Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

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. 

At the start of a walk, some people are just too eager to get going!

Approaching Westerlands Farm

Sadly, the Horsebox Cafe wasn't open

and we managed NOT to test any nice plums

Lavington Common was a bit prickly in places

Duncton Common and The Serpent Trail

Very nice bank for a break

Kilsham Copse

Some remarkable artwork in a garden

St Richard's Church, Burton

Burton House, built by John Biddulp in 1828, grounds by Capability Brown

We saw 2 Lizards but only this Common Lizard stayed around for a photo

Catholic Church of St. Anthony and St. George in Duncton just visible amongst the trees

Well, that was a good lunch in The Badger

About 4.6 miles

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