Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Linchmere walk on 7th April 2025

Today's walk, led by Denis, started out from the Iron Hill Car park and soon joined the Serpent Trail through Stanley Common. The weather was perfect for walking, not too hot but plenty of sunshine. The walking was very good with some not too challenging hills and plenty of signs that spring had arrived, complete with a cuckoo for part of the walk. After some discussion about the length of walk we decided to make Linchmere Church our coffee stop. The chuch of St Peter is probably of Anglo Saxon origin and stands on top of a hill with views to the South and West. It is the last resting place of Richard Dimbleby who lived locally. A famous broadcaster, he braved many flights over Germany during WWII and his first report of the state of Belsen concentration camp was too much for the BBC to broadcast. It was another 4 days before he forced the BBC to release a more sanitised, but still horrific version. 

His son Jonathan wrote about his life growing up in Linchmere many years ago. Click here -- Jonathan Dimbleby remembers

Our return route took us once again through Stanley Common, but via a different route, nearer to Stanley Farm. Climbing up Iron Hill was a minor challenge but the scenery was sufficiently nice and distracting we hardly noticed the ascent! We eventually arrived back at the car park and from there made our way to The Jolly Drover for a very good lunch. Many thanks to Jennifer and Jay for additional material.

All lined up, ready to go!

Forest, here we come.

Well, this looks a nice spot to stop, but too early

On second thoughts, let's move on.

Stanley Common

Massive forsythia in the middle of the common

Some gardens in the back of Danley Lane are so large a shelter is needed

Tools for the very ambitious gardener

St Peter's Church, Linchmere

Nice picnic spot to the rear

with plenty of seats

Inside St Peter's

Memorial plaque to a local

Heading for the pub

Just a few trees to deal with

Weather was just right for walking

Not enough room in that pub!

That's more like it

About 5.3 miles

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