Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Chilgrove walk on 21st May 2025

We mingled with the assorted dog walkers at the carpark of the recently refurbished White Horse at Chilgrove for John’s 4.5 mile walk.  Once he herded us together we crossed the main road making our way up Chilgrove Hill beside The Plantation where views to the south west allegedly gave us sight of the Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight according to ‘Hawkeye John’.  We entered the woods of Lambdown Hill until reaching the Stoughton Forest car park where we turned north west on the narrow road for a short time taking a footpath on the right into Wildham Woods where a lot of forestry work had been completed with logs stacked neatly with many also left where they fell.  Our coffee stop allowed us to spread out on the fallen logs before continuing our gentle hill climb to the peak at Bow Hill Farm.  The return route was through the fields on Chilgrove Hill back to The Plantation where we back tracked our start down the White Horse, where, despite being a bit early for lunch, it was excellent.

Walkers rounded up and ready to go

and they're off!

Milling about deciding whether to remove some layers.

‘Anything you say will and can be used against you’

Helpful sign trying to mislead us.

In amongst the ancient yew trees

Yew know you are on the right path.

View across to Inholmes Wood towards Stoughton.

Our leader showing us the way.

Results of a lot of forestry work.

Potential mutiny over the coffee stop but our leader stands firm and aloof

Perfect seating for us all to enjoy our break.

Nature’s sculpture

Allegedly we can see the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth here.

The highest point of the walk with ominous clouds ahead.

And now we can see the Isle of Wight!

Lunch at last

Our 4.5 mile route

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