Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Graffham Day Walk 7th December 2016

We had a long climb up to the top of the Downs above Graffham, then walked along The Southdowns Way and admired some Belted Galloways before descending to The Unicorn for some well-earned food. Returning to Graffham Church along paths at the base of the hill was a lot easier. The walk was 5.7 miles with 820ft altitude gained.

The top of the hill was the home of the Bronze Age people who some believe would rarely venture down into the dangerous wooded plains below, where wolves, bears and huge wild cattle roamed. There are plenty of features on the hill labelled on the OS map as Cross Dykes. The reason why the Cross Dykes were created is uncertain - they may have been created for territory marking, cattle droveways or defensive earthworks. Also the area is rich in barrows and the depressions on some barrows are either from archeological excavation or where the Canadians placed guns during WWII. However, further damage is unlikely as the barrows and cross-dykes are now covered by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

2016 12 07

Heading home

Lunch in the Unicorn

Mary showing off her new hat again

Galloway, brown version

Anne of Australia and Maddie of Midhurst kicking up the leaves

440ft climb to start the day

Welcome coffee stop at the top

Graffham start

Tagents Farm

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