Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Elsted walk on 20th August 2025

At last we had somewhat cooler weather this week for John's Elsted walk, starting out from the Three Horshoes pub in Elsted. After placing our food order, we set out across the Elsted cricket pitch, which must have one of the best views in the County.   We crossed a field of scattered straw and  then entered some less cultivated ground followed by a descent through a small wood. Back in the fields again and we eventually found a nice pond belonging to The Petersfield  and District Angling Club. Not being members and not having a rod between us, we carried on to Dumpford Lane and found a  suitable picnic spot for our drinks break. We left the Lane and took the track down towards Dumpford Park Farm, eventually climbing up towards a small man-made reservoir. Perhaps it was originally excavated for minerals, but is now struggling to contain enough water to irrigate the farm. After a field or two we suddenly came across a field of sunflowers, which was fortunate as it stopped us thinking the hill was a bit steep!  We then headed for the very busy Three Horseshoes where we were very well served after our 5 mile hike.

Ready to go

Elsted cricket pitch, one of the finest!

Our first field to cross

This hill was made more difficult with a layer of marble shaped acorns on the ground!

Beautiful path to walk

and then spoilt by a stile!

Very nice pond, particularly if you had a rod

Picnic spot being tidied up

Drink stop finished, where shall we go from here?

Quick glance - ER must be Queen Elizabeth, but a second glance it's much older. KIng Edward VII, who died in 1910

Now, what's over the top of this hill?

Depleted reservoir

Some smiles are different to others

Lots of Lacy Phacelia along the border, 7,600 seeds available on ebay for £3.99

Last undulation of the day

Unusual hors d'oeuvres for the adventurous

Those glasses must have a leak

Lunch has arrived for most of us...

Chickens have a free reign of the garden

About 5 miles.

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