Farringdon 2nd February 2022

Starting out from Upper Farringdon we had a pleasant walk through some of the village before crossing the A32 road and finding the old railway track that ran towards Alton. The line ran from Alton to Fareham. The passenger service stopped in 1955 but the line was still open for freight until 1968, when the track was lifted. This has left a very clear and easy path nearly all the way to Chawton. On our way to our coffee stop we had a look at a geocache hidden in a pipe before finding benches  to have a midway rest. Jane Austen's house was partly hidden by scaffolding and polythene sheeting used to protect the building whilst 30,000 roof tiles were being replaced. We then moved on to Chawton House, once the home of Jane Austen's brother, where we had a pleasant walk through the grounds. We eventually linked up with the footpath that returned us to Upper Farringdon. We had a look at the massive Massey's Folly building and also the cross in the churchyard which was used by Gilbert White for delivering sermons. After that we had a stroll back to The Rose and Crown for an excellent lunch.

Farringdon was alive with topiary

Even bigger topiary

and plenty of snowdrops.

Some of the old railway ironmongery is still in place

"Mummy said I can have long hair until I grow up"

Pretty thatched cottage in Chawton village

and another one!

Chawton House

St Nicholas Church, next to Chawton House.

Jane Austen statue in the churchyard. She died in July 1817 and is buried in Winchester Cathedral           

Paying his respects to Cassandra, Jane's mother, and Cassandra Elizabeth Austen, Jane's sister.

Lovely walk through the park.

Too small for a railway........ 

Massey's Folly, built solely by the vicar, one bricklayer and 2 helpers. It took 30 years to complete. 

A 2000 year old yew in the churchyard

Nice brickwork

Nice barn on Staddle stones. Northern Spain is full of them - called hórreo. Link here.

Smile, please!

• ← East Dean 26th January 2022
• Ambersham Common walk on 9th February 2022 →