Midhurst walk on 14th December 2022

Winter has at last arrived with frost everywhere and parts of the country covered in snow. This wasn't the case for us, but the temperature was around freezing all morning. Bernard led us from the Grange Centre in Midhurst up the Jubilee Path, on the New Road before finally turning off towards Midhurst Common, with the old Midhurst to Chichester railway sheds to our left.  Passing under Sunset Hill, we briefly took the Serpent trail before crossing the A272 and taking the New Lipchis Way past Woolbeding House and the beautifully tended gardens. The walk follows the River Rother as far as the mill pond where we turned towards Midhurst town to find the Causeway leading to the ruins of Cowdray House. Building started from 1520 and the work was largely completed by about 1530.   Famous visitors to this grand house were Henry VIII, Edward VI and Elizabeth I, amongst others. A fire in 1793 left the house the ruin we see today, although the decay has been controlled by restoration work in both the 20th and 21st centuries. We walked further along the Rother as far as The Wharf  before heading back to the Grange car park. A good lunch was enjoyed in Red H, the restaurant now occupying the site of the old Three Horseshoes public house.

"Now, be very careful, there's some ice here"

"and be careful of hiding photographers"

Midhurst Common, on the Serpent Trail

Approaching Whiphill Wood, on the River Walk also known as the New Lipchis Way

Autumn colours still in Whiphill Wood

Woolbeding  Glasshouse 21st Century, All Hallows 7th Century, probably then made of timber and thatch.

Cattle not especially interested in the folly on the hill

Walking through the valley described by Disraeli as "the greenest valley with the prettiest river in the world"

"and I'm the prettiest cow in the world"

"Fancy a Swift One" is the name given to some National Trust walks throughout the country

The sun was trying hard to melt the frost

Photographer setting up

Result!

Robin wasn't impressed

Mill pond and weirs on the Midhurst/Easebourne border.

The Causeway to Cowdray House ruins

Oh no, more ice!

Walk over, warm at last!

Thinks he's the cats whiskers

Cat Stevens?

About 4.1/2 miles.

• ← Chichester Walls walk on 7th December 2022
• West Lavington Walk on 21st December 2022 →