Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Fernhurst Walk on 7th August 2024

Jay and Lindsay's walk started out from the car park next to the Fernhurst Recreation Ground. From there we walked past the church, crossed the A286 and proceeded down Vann Road. After a short while we turned off to take footpaths past Hawksfold Farm and Lower Hawksfold. From there we left houses behind  and we were in Copseland! Amon's, Peckham's, Turners and Whitter's Copse were all explored, along with a few inclines and "declines", but we all survived to cross the A286 once again. Now it was the turn of Guildford Copse, but this was the favourite as the Drinks break was due and seats were provided!  From there we headed north past Courts Farm to reach the Grade II listed Verdley Place. Luckily we were quite unaware we had passed the site where the last bear was killed in England, and still said to haunt the spot. Ignorance is bliss! After Verdley Place we headed by path and road to reach the Red Lion for a great lunch and greeted an unexpected visitor complete with a box of chocolates. An excellent end to the 5 mile walk.

Ready for the starting gun!

Heading for Hawksfold Farm

The yellow Ragwort, particularly plentiful this year

This is the Cinnabar moth caterpillar (whose diet is almost entirely Ragwort) is unaccountably quite rare this year.

Beautiful day, with a few clouds to keep the heat bearable

Horses always appreciate some attention

Guildford Copse

Drinks stop with seats for all

Always wise to make way for a horse - they have very heavy feet

Verdley Place, HQ for ICI/Plant Protection Ltd from 1945 until 1975

Not all plants survived the Plant Protection

Leaving Home Farm

A nice fig happened to fall into our hands - delicious!

Aha - the pub at last!

Food due shortly

Our 5 mile route.

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