Gallery

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Hooksway walk on 18th September 2024

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!

Burton Park walk on 4th September 2024

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.

Chichester Marina walk on 28th August 2024

Duncton Walk on 21st August 2024

Ten of the walking group met outside Grafham Primary School ready to start our walk, led by Isabel, which took us across open fields to Ridlington Farm. The farmer had obviously been taking advantage of the good weather as there was a large amount of grain stored in one of his barns. We crossed another field to Westerlands Farm, where we had hoped to have coffee at Emma’s Horsebox Café, but it  only opens at weekends. Phoning to ask for service did not really seem viable, especially as we were not a large group and time did not allow for setting up. However, we were interested to pass the Woodfire Camping site with hot showers, campfires, wood-fired cooking and crystal-clear drinking water straight from a borehole, all set in a beautiful rural spot with views of the South Downs. Next was a shady walk passing through the edge of Duncton Common, with a coffee stop on an old bank. At Heath End we crossed the A285 and walked past Burton Park. This was once a girls’ school but has now been converted into apartments in scenic parkland. We crossed back over the A 285 to our cars and drove to the Badgers Pub, where we enjoyed our lunch.This was previously known as The Railway Inn in the late1800’s and was the old charabanc stop on the way to Goodwood racecourse, as well as serving Petworth railway Station, which closed in the 1960’s. 

Midhurst Common walk on 14th August 2024

The walk led by Pauline and Linda was a tour around the Midhurst commons. Starting out from the Iping Common car park we headed west along the Serpent Trail. Within 600 meters we quite unknowingly crossed the route of the Roman Road from Silcester (near Reading) to Chichester, built by the Romans to assist with the delivery of mail, fortunately without the assistance of Fijitsu and the Post Office. We were also lucky not to know the Serpent Trail is named after all three native snakes, which live in the area! After admiring vaste swathes of beautiful heather we left the Serpent Trail and turned back into the Fitzhall Heath and Plantation before coming across the formidable security fencing around the site of the inactive Minsted sandpit, originally developed after WW II for building material extraction. Locals have sucessfully stopped the South Downs National Parks Authority allowing more excavation on the adjacent area of The Severals. After a few twists and turns we were once again on the Serpent Trail, which took us through The Severals to Woolmer Bridge, Stedhan Common and eventually back to the car park. The Hamilton Arms beckoned and we retreated there to enjoy some tasty Thai food. The walk was a little over 5 miles and mostly flat

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