Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Farringdon Morning Walk 17th October 2018

Mary and Barbara led this walk from The Rose and Crown in Upper Farringdon, firstly to All Saints Church in the village.  This church once had Gilbert White as the rector - when he wasn't busy writing The Natural History of Selborne, supposedly the 4th most published book in the English language. The churchyard also contains one of the oldest yews in the country, somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 years old.  Next to the churchyard is a huge building built by a previous very eccentric vicar, now called Massey's Folly. The walk from Farringdon to Chawton included a coffee stop in a nicely decorated railway arch. Once in Chawton a visit to the St Nicholas churchyard was compulsory. Resting here are Jane Austen's mother as well as her sister Cassandra. Jane Austen did not publish in her own name but is considered by many to be the best female author of all time. Jane often visited friends in Upper Farringdon and it is likely that is the route our somewhat damp walkers took to get back to The Rose and Crown for an excellent lunch. Thanks to Barbara and Isabel for the photos.

Have a look at this!

Jane, on her way to Farringdon, perhaps.

St Nicholas Church, Chawton.

Huge yew 2,000 to 3,000 years old.

All Saints Church.

Damp start to the walk.

Cassandra, Jane Austen's best friend.

Massey's Folly built over a period of 30 years by the rector, one bricklayer, one carpenter and a labourer.

Incredibly old wood.

Churchyard memorial.

Hiding yew.

Inside St Nicholas Church.

Farringdon Church.

Good pub lunch.

Shelter from the wet.

A better class of graffiti in Chawton.

Recent galleries

History

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