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Viewing galleries from May, 2026

Hooksway walk of 6th May 2026

Eighteen of us gathered at The Royal Oak, Kingsway in the sunshine with a slight chill in the breeze.  After posing for a start photo in front of the hostelry, we set off down the grassy Philliswood Lane to a cross roads in the paths at Batten Hanger where we followed a new path and stopped at the designated Scheduled Monument Romano-British Temple or mausoleum ruin.  This led us through woods and Stubbs Copse onto a field and then briefly back into the woods for a climb up to another field and narrow woods to reach Brooms Farm drive.  Walking down to the country lane we turned left and stopped off for our coffee break on the pathway to Chilgrove.  We returned to the lane and headed north to Yewtree Cottage to pick up the footpath on the track to the remains of the Medieval village remains at Monkton that have recently been preserved.  This footpath took us up to the crossroad junction with the South Downs Way at Philliswood Down where we took the bridleway back The Royal Oak for an enjoyable lunch.

Isle of Wight holiday break 2nd to 5th May 2025

Five members and two guests joined us for a short trip to the Isle of Wight, staying at the HF House at Freshwater Bay. Landing at Fishbourne, we hopped around the corner to the masterpiece of a building called Quarr Abbey. The new monastery building is only 114 years old but even so is well worth a visit. The original abbey, now a ruin, dates back to the 12th Century. Next stop was the Ventnor Botanic Garden, but after some refreshments we had little time left before we had to head for our holiday home for 3 nights at Freshwater House, where we were greeted with a cream tea.

On Sunday as many of the other guided walkers were heading for The Needles, we felt a trip to Freshwater would be a better option.  The path was mostly beside the Western Yar River, a site of Special Scientific Interest  as well as a safe haven for many small sailing boats. Finding somewhere to eat our HF picnic was a slight problem until we found a secluded spot near St James Church. Suitably refreshed we headed back on the opposite side of the river and visited the church and pub at Freshwater before eventually getting back to Freshwater House. Total mileage was around 8.1/2 miles, but we had taken all day!

On Monday we made our trip to the Needles and came back via Tennysons Down. The Old Battery at the end of the Needles was of interest, but membership of the National Trust was needed. The walk back was along the top of Tennysons Down, with glorious views all the way. This walk was shorter than the day before at around 6.1/2 miles.

Our last day was spent at Osborne House, full of history of Queen Victoria. Several of us were surprised to find that so many of European royal families are directly descended from this queen. After touring the house we made our way to the Swiss Cottage, a favourite haunt of the royal children, and then down to the Queens private beach. We were very lazy and caught a minibus back to the car park. From there it was only a short trip back to the ferry and eventually Portsmouth Harbour.  The rain threatened for the weekend never materialized and a very relaxed trip was complimented by some good food and service from the HF house. 

Stedham walk on 29th April 2026

Our 4.5 mile walk led by Celia and Miguel in sunny, breezy weather was perfect for blowing away the cobwebs.  Assembling in The Hamilton Arms car park we strode off down School Lane and the Street, admiring the gardens until we reached the 17th Century Grade II listed Stedham Bridge.  The footpath on the south bank of the River Rother took us through woods and fields to Iping dropping down onto Iping Lane, over the bridge where it felt like the days traffic decided to arrive at the same time.  The footpath opposite St Mary’s Church led onto a field with some horse eventing structures before exiting onto Stanwater Lane.  Turning north, we walked on the embankment above the New Lipchis Trail, stopped for our coffee break in the woods, continued on, crossing Tote Lane by Woodgate Farm.  Turning south after 300m, we crossed fields with a tricky gate to fathom out before reaching Stedham Lane and taking the steep path down to the Mill and took the footpath on the north bank of the River Rother, stopping to admire Stedham Hall and its gardens across the river.  We crossed Stedham Bridge and made our way back to the Hamilton Arms to enjoy our lunch and refreshments.