Gallery

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Byworth Long Walk on 29th March 2024

The overnight high winds and rain made for some trepidation on Good Friday morning as we met up in The Welldiggers Arms car park in Byworth clambering into an assortment of wet weather gear. The 9:00 am start of our 9 mile long walk took us up Kingspit Lane up to Flexham Park where we joined the Serpent Trail which formed the majority of our route. By the time we were half way across the Park, in between detours to avoid the mud and lakes on the path, a modicum of disrobing accompanied the rain stopping. By the time we reached Bognor Common we were entertained with a stripper’s jumper twirl as more garments came off as the sun came out and the temperature increased. We turned left up through Mitfords Copse, crossed a field of radish, into the woods again, turned south onto Bedham Lane, then left again into Fittleworth Woods. The Serpent Trail took us south to Churchwood where we stopped for coffee, some nibbles and photos around the capped off well. We encountered the muddiest part of the walk on the footpath down to Fittleworth for a quick dogleg on the pavements before turning west and up onto Hesworth Common where we left the Serpent Trail. At the vantage point on Hesworth Common we stopped for some minor first aid and photos which allowed us walk towards Hesworth Farm and increasing photo opportunities as the sunshine dispersed the clouds to allow the blue sky to lighten our spirits. The footpaths took us west until Highhoes Copse where we headed north through the copse and over the fields onto the main A road. A short distance later we turned right onto the country lane, through Byworth and then taking the footpath at Hallgate Farm which took us back to The Welldiggers Arms. The pub had a roaring trade on the Good Friday allowing us to enjoy a relaxed and extended lunch that we enjoyed immensely as a reward for our 4 ¼ hours hard work.

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Chalton walk on 27th March 2024

A mere eight hardy souls gathered in the Fox Goes Free car park at Charlton for our short 3 mile walk. The weather forecast wind and rain, but we were bathed in sunshine on the way to the walk and we felt we were prepared for the heavens offerings. Setting off on Charlton Road past North Lane starting the climb up to Levin Down with the wind whistling around our ears, we took the left path once we were on the Down and took the benefit of the bench to get our breath back and admire the views across to Goodwood Grandstand and the Trundle. The rain started before we left Levin Down Clump so more rain gear was donned and erected for the rest our walk across the fields of Levin Down into Lady Wood. A perfectly placed fallen tree provided seating and table for our coffee break as the woods sheltered us from the increasing rain. By the time we left Lady Wood, the rain was certainly persistent but we were soon on a more solid track past Broadham House with it’s manicured garden when we turned onto the New Lipchis Way for a short while before choosing the bridlepath leading down the east slope of Levin Down on chalk to the West Sussex Literary Trail on North Lane. By this time the rain was running off the waterproof tops and soaking the trousers of those who were not fully kitted out so we squelched back to the cars earlier than planned. The Fox Goes Free were happy to see us turn up early and allowed us to warm up and steam gently in front of their fires before feeding us fantastic food and drink.

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Stedham Walk on 20th March 2024

We met up at The Hamilton Arms in Stedham where Celia and Miguel had arranged a bright, sunny day for our 4.5 mile walk. Starting on the roads we followed School Lane and The Street down to Stedham Bridge where we turned west on the south bank of the River Rother stepping around and through lots of mud which gave way to firmer paths by the time we reached the fields. At Iping we were entertained by gambolling lambs, and admired a pristine car clean before strolling over the bridge to St Mary’s Church. The path across the field beckoned us with a giant horseshoe that would not be amiss in a television game show until we reached Stanwater Lane. Turning north through the woods we stopped for our coffee break, chatting with a horse rider while sampling foreign chocolates. Crossing the fields to Tote Lane and turning off as we passed Woodgate Farm we took the south bound path that brought us to Stedham Lane and the steep descent to the weir and ford at Stedham Mill where we posed for a photo. Our route followed the river south back to Stedham and the Hamilton Arms where we treated ourselves to Thai cuisine.

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Thursley walk on 13th March 2024

This was Tim's walk from 21st February which was called off as it rained all morning. This day was better, still damp in parts, but passable. Seven brave walkers set out towards the A3, luckily finding a tunnel to get to the other side. The area around Cosford House has a very musical history with Roger Taylor living and recording nearby for many years. The track took us past the very nice Cosford Farm and into out first water hazard. Luckily we had a way around the problem and with an easy walk through the woods we found a footpath that took us up into the hamlet of Bowlhead Green. A 6 bedroom house is available for £4.5m, but the average for the area is a mere £1.5m. A walk up the road took us to the drive for Emley Farmhouse, mid 16th C, now a National Trust property available for rent. Luckily it was empty on the day and we took the opportunity to sit on the wall for our drinks break. Refreshed, we descended into the valley and turned up the track to Hole Farm. From here we again ascended to the highest point of our walk, which happened to be another tunnel under the A3. Several fields took us to St Michael and All Angels Church, containing the grave of the Unknown Sailor who was murdered back in 1786. Also there is the grave of Derek Lutyens, (nephew of Edwin Lutyens) who died in a flying accident near Farnborough during WW1. At the exit of the churchyard there is a small hut, formerly a Dame School until formal education became compulsory during the 1880s. At the end of our 5 mile walk we had an excellent lunch in The Three Horshoes in Thursley village.

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Liphook walk on 6th March 2024

The Liphook walk, led by Jean (with some kind assistance from Isabel) started out with the morning mist still very much present. We ducked under the A3 and found our way to Bramshott Churchyard, with  hundreds of graves of Canadian soldiers, most of whom had died of Spanish Influenza at the end of WW1. The flu was incredibly deadly, especially amongst the young. Sometimes a soldier could be fit and well at breakfast, but the flu could take his life before the end of the day. 

We moved on up the road to Rectory Lane before turning down a narrow gulley to  reach Bramshott village.  A walk along Tunbridge Lane took us to a footpath that ran past Bramshott Court and eventually to Passfield Manor.  By crossing the B3004 we entered the road to the delightful village Conford where the Victorian village hall provided a good stopping point for a drinks break. Our route then led past Conford Park House, with its extraordinary sculptures in the grounds and on to the dreaded mud. We had all been warned that wellingtons were the preferred footwear and even a bit of fence climbing did not totally avoid the problem. However we recovered enough to find the B3004 once again and then back to Bramshott, via Bramshott Vale House. We passed Boris Karloff's house before once again walking through Bramshott churchyard.  After passing over the Memorial bridge we regained our cars and then journeyed to The Deers Hut for an enjoyable lunch.

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