-
From the Red Lion car park in Chalton, Jay led us on a walk through to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Taking the Staunton Way path we found our way through Chalton Park and eventually reached the Queen Elizabeth Forest. After skirting the edge of the forest we turned up hill to eventually reach the site of a Roman Villa. Little remains today but it would originally have been an ideal spot for watching shipping in Chichester Harbour. Continuing on the Shipwrights Way we found our drink stop, upturned logs being available to most of us.
Refreshed we soon turned south and eventually found the Staunton Way once again. The more straighforward way was to return via the road but a diversion near to Newbarn Cottage avoided the traffic and took us through an area of large beech trees below Head Down Hanger where the strong sunlight trying to penetrate the canopy was a remarkable sight. We still had to do a road stretch before finding a path up to Chalton Peak and then on to the Red Lion where we were rewarded for our efforts with a great lunch. The walk was about 6 miles.
Denis arranged the skittles and led the 3.75 mile short walk to get back to The Barley Mow pub in time to have lunch, and play skittles before the pub closed in the afternoon.
We walked up the main road to where the River Ems crossed the road, headed up Cooks Lane to pick up Monarch’s Way. Although overcast, it was dry to allow us to enjoy the views of Walderton Down as we crossed the fields in a meandering route as the path across the field which had been ploughed. We regrouped before entering the Inholmes Wood leaving the Monarch’s Way. The route took us down one side of the valley and up the other surrounded by wild garlic in Woodbarn. Leaving the woods we stopped at the table and seats beside the path with sea views to have our coffee break. Continuing west, we walked past Watergate, crossed the road and were pleased we turned south rather than climb Watergate Hanger. Recrossing the road we entered Watergate Park and got back to the path down to Cooks Lane and back to the pub.
A huge thank you to The Barley Mow for allowing us to play skittles on their alley, and providing a lovely buffet. The skittles event was won by Stuart on a coin toss having tied as top skittle demolisher with Tim.
Jay and Lindsay's 4.5 mile walk started at The Horse Guards Inn at Tillington with a gentle climb on Upperton Road, past the recreation ground through Upperton and on to Upperton Common when we took the footpath, still on the Serpent Trail. The slow decent taking care not to slip we enjoyed the woods with the ground being firm despite all the recent rain. On reaching the end of Westland’s Copse Lane, we left the Serpent Trail, staying on the footpaths and headed towards River Common where we skirted around Roundabouts Farm. Two fallen tree trunks provided seating for our coffee break plus birthday chocolates. We turned left on River Lane where we turned left again up the hill on the Sussex Diamond Way which we followed with excellent views to PitsHill walking past the ornament lake down to the road. We turned left and headed across the vineyards, a field and on reaching the Mitford Family churchyard gate we followed the road back to The Horse Guards where we enjoyed an excellent lunch finished off with a miniature goblet making competition.
Our stalwart band of 16 walkers set out on a glorious sunny day, with a hint of Autumn in the air on a varied scenic walk in the beautiful countryside surrounding this old pub. Starting out from the pub we walked a little way up the hill before turning into Stubbs Copse and eventully reaching Brooms Farm driveway. From there we walked along the road to Yew Tree Cottage and then on footpaths once again to reach Philliswood Down. Beside the path is the memorial to a German pilot (Hauptmann J Oestermann) whose plane exploded after attacking Farnborough and Odiham airfields. It was his first ever war flight and he was shot down by RAF Pilot Officer Mayers who was himself shot down into the channel later that day, injured but fortunately survived. After walking through Philliswood Down we returned to the pub for well earned drinks and lunch, where our group took over the pub’s cosy dining room.
We believe it’s safe to say that a good time was had by all!
Lynnne had chosen to take a walk around the Burton Park Estate, which dates from the 13th Century. The Grade 1 listed mansion has a chequered history. Once home to a Baronet, then an MP, it became an Army Camp, a girls school, a police dog-training centre and is now split into flats.
There were just 8 of us walking today and we had a short walk of three and a half miles. It was very easy walking, the weather was good and so were the views. We walked from the Cricketers pub past Burton park and the church and did a circuit round the estate, coming back via the trout farm.