Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

East Dean walk on 25th June 2025

Mark and Jo's walk set off from East Dean village, the last home of playwright Christopher Fry (The Lady's Not For Turning). We first headed East, then turning North to head for the shade of a wood quaintly named Bubholts. It was uphill at first but the gradient gradually reduced as we entered another wood called Chisledown. We then crossed the Selhurstpark Road on its way to Goodwood racecourse and joined the Halnaker Gallop before turning into Open Winkins.  Open Winkins is a wood mentioned several times by Eleanor Farjeon in her book "Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard", written whilst she lived in nearby Amberley. That was some years before she wrote the hymn "Morning has broken", made popular by Cat Stevens. Oddly named woods are an occupational hazard in this area as we were then walking in Ladys Winkins, which was our furthest point south for the day. A quick walk led to a suitable coffee stop next to Hat Hill before we headed towards the edge of the Goodwood Racecourse. Once we had crossed the road it was mostly downhill through Park Hill and Eastdean Park. For some reason flowers seemed to be much more in evidence after our break and the barley in Manor Farm had a few very unfamiliar invasive growths. Soon we were back in East Dean where we all enjoyed a great lunch in the Star and Garter.

All ready, rarin' to go!

Climbing up through Bubholts wood

"I don't know the route, I'm just admiring the view!"

So where has all this wood come from?

Heading towards Open Winkins wood

Open Winkins, Halnaker Park

First orchid spotted

Lupin or vetch??

Thank goodness for a bit of shade

Halnaker Windmill in the heat haze. The first one was there in 1540, this is a much newer one, built around 1740

Coffee/tea time at last.

Field crammed with cornflowers

Beautiful woodland - and provides great shade on a hot day

Care to be taken crossing any road near Goodwood

Unusual flower in the barley. Probably Phacelia, native to the Americas, Borage family also known as Scorpionweed

On the last leg, downhill to East Dean

About 5.1/2 miles

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