Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Stansted Forest walk on 3rd September 2025

The pre walk had been in balmy warm weather and sunshine; the actual walk threatened 40 mile an hour winds and heavy rain.  Luckily, we only had the rain which started soon after leaving the car park beside The Avenue as we joined the multitude of dog walkers following Monarch’s Way down the wide vista of The Avenue that formed part of the landscaping of Stansted House.  A mile after clambering into our wet weather gear we entered the forest downhill to The Sling near Rowlands Castle where we turned north east to stay in West Sussex and remain in the forest.  This 480 hectare forest is a remnant of the most westerly part of the ancient Forest of Arundel.  We read the tragic story of Norwegian RAF Spitfire pilot, Flight Sergeant Sigurd Gerhardt who lost his life in a crash in the forest in 1942.  The planned coffee break was at a location with a wide bench carved from a tree trunk with a view across the forest.  However, the rain was so bad we elected to huddle under some tree cover for our break before leaving the forest, crossing a field and heading towards Forestside Farm where we crossed the road and walked through Batty's Park, Rosamond’s Hill and Forest Hanger which brought us to the driveway to Stansted House and back to the car park.  We adjourned to the Victoria Inn at West Marden for an excellent lunch.

Strolling down The Avenue, Stansted House in the distance

Racing the rain, the rain won.

We thought about ‘singing in the rain’ but there were no lamp posts around

Celebrating the cover of the trees.

Rain stopped, so all changed at The Sling

Part of the Sigurd Jennsen story

Do you think we could all get under this umbrella?

I’m not sitting in a puddle to drink my coffee

Hiding in the forest for our coffee stop in our best camouflage

Leaving the coppiced woods back into the forest

It’s easy to miss the light at the end of the tunnel when you are with friends

Yew are kidding if yew think it’s stopped raining

Crossing a field, no break in the weather there.

Mr Tumble looking very pleased with himself

Firtree Piece

Emerging from the woods

A bit of open space

Majestic trees and stormy sky

The Drive home

A little over 5 miles

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