Stage 18 A283 nr Ramsnest Common to Rake - 15.3m

I am determined to finish walking the SBP this year, so I really wanted to walk a good section of path on this section.  As public transport was not an option for completing a linear walk I decided to splash out on a taxi.  Whilst this ended up costing £26, I had to consider that, with a 150 mile round trip to/from the walk area, my petrol costs were hardly insignificant, and doing a longer walk meant that I would have fewer sections to complete the trail.

I therefore met the very fragrant (rather a lot of aftershave!) taxi driver at The Flying Bull, Rake at 8.30am, and he transported me to the junction of Rodgate Lane and the A283, near Ramsnest Common.  He clearly did not often receive fares from trail walkers and I had to explain why I wanted dropping off in the middle of nowhere.



The official start of my walk today - where the SBP leaves the A283

 A short walk along the already busy A283 took me to the driveway to Dickhurst Hall.  Bowling along it I quickly came to the entrance gate to the property where there was clearly no right of way. Backtracking a few yards I found a partly obscured path heading into a narrow strip of trees.

Track leading to Gospel Green

 The path headed SSW in this narrow wood between fields for about 1km to reach a lane at Gospel Green.  Towards the end of this path, the woodland got a little wider and there were numerous paths and I actually drifted a little too far left, emerging on the lane very slightly off route.

Lane junction at Gospel Green

 I headed up Jobson’s lane for about 200m before turning right along Jay’s Lane. After about 1/2m mile of very gentle ascent, the lane became gradually much steeper and climbed to meet a T-junction after a further ½ mile or so.

I spy an Alpaca

 Here I turned left and descended slightly for 250m, passing a field of Alpacas, before turning west up a bridleway near Upper Roundhurst Farm.  The bridleway climbed a steep woodland track towards my next destination, the National Trust owned Black Down.

The steep sunken bridleway to Black Down

 Where the path levelled off it briefly ran alongside a metalled track, which turned out to be the entrance driveway to Aldworth, the country retreat of Lord Tennyson, where he lived to his death in 1892.

The gates leading to Aldworth House

 After passing the National Trust car park, and converging with another long distance path, The Serpent Trail the bridleway continued to snake (no pun intended) through the woodland.  Reaching a junction of paths I decided to deviate from the route and head south for about 600m to visit the trig point and possibly a bit further to the viewing point called the The Temple of the Winds.

Murky views East

I did find the trig point but it was not quite as I expected.  Black Down is the highest point in Sussex at 280m, and I had therefore imagined that the trig would be standing proudly on or near a prominent path (with possibly a sign to indicate its status).  Instead I had to look hard to find it lost in a jumble of scrub and brambles.  There was a path leading to and from it of sorts, but it was clearly not on many people’s routes.

The elusive trig point and the highest point in Sussex

 Due to very low cloud cover, the views from near the summit were extremely poor, so I decided not to bother wasting any more time in continuing down to the Temple viewpoint. The Serpent Trail passes it, so if/when I walk that trail I will visit it then. Instead I retraced my steps (with variations) to return to the SBP.

The sun makes a brief appearance

 I continued SE across the Black Down plateau for a few hundred meters before the trail took a turn to the NW, where I passed a group of other hikers coming in the opposite direction.  Passing through a gateway the route begins to descend very slightly, first along the edge of woodland and then across the open meadow of Valewood Park, managed by the National Trust.  Before reaching the meadow, I nearly took a wrong turning, and once again the trusty GPS helped me confirm the correct path.


Valewood Park

 Reaching the end of Valewood Park, I followed the route as shown on the OS map, descending gently into the valley around the edge of a narrow field.  Here a lady runner caught up with me and she asked if I knew where the path went.  We consulted my map together and then she ran on ahead. Later consultation of the online SBP guide (W to E)  suggested that I should have taken the short cut straight down the hill, rather than take the longer route round the field.

Valewood Farm House

 In the valley bottom I turned right up a driveway past the very attractive Valewood Farm House and on to the buildings of Stedlands Farm.  Another map consultation, supplemented with a quick chat with a local dog walker showed I had just walked past a waymarker pointing the way onto a woodland path.  To be fair, the marker was a set back under trees and as it was a very gloomy day it was barely visible from the driveway.


Waymarker hidden in the gloom

  From here the route followed woodland paths and private roads for about ½ mile, before emerging on Fernden Lane.  Turning right I soon arrived at the A286, where I crossed over and made my way up Marley Hanger Lane.  After about 100m I turned right up a steep path between house gardens, where at the top of the climb I emerged onto sandy heathland – I had arrived at Marley Common.

Marley Common

 Although it was only noon, I was beginning to feel rather peckish – it was a long time since breakfast!  Fortunately, as I approached the end of Marley Common I found a handy bench located next to a tribute copse, so I stopped here for lunch.  I even managed to work out how to set the timer on my camera so I could take a self portrait.

Self Portrait, and a good spot for lunch

After lunch, I walked through the car park onto a lane where I turned left, turning right after about 50m onto a footpath leading to a pleasant hamlet of houses.  The lane continued past fields and a number of more isolated properties, the, at the last dwelling, where the metalled path swung right, the SBP maintained direction on a wide leafy footpath, fringed with trees.

Hamlet

Over the next km the route descended gently on a fenced path between fields, to reach Linchmere Road. Bearing left to a junction, a number of cyclists raced past me from the opposite direction.  A minute or two after turning right towards Liphook, a lone straggler came past, and suspecting he was part of the large group, I was able to call out to him that he had gone the wrong way.  He was very grateful!

"They went that way!"

 Shortly afterwards, I turned left off the road on a wood track which continued in a westerly direction for about a km through Linchmere Common.  For a brief moment the sun popped out and the heather and the early turning bracken were shown to their best advantage.

The heather in full bloom - Linchmere Common

 The path descended to reach a junction near an isolated property. My OS map showed the SBP turning sharp left and climbing a steep hill, only to descend again shortly afterwards.  I was pleased to see that the way-marked route actually now takes the perfectly good bridleway around the shoulder of the hill, rejoining the original path after about ½ mile.  Here it was necessary to swing west again, and although I was looking out for it, I nearly missed the turning as the path was a bit overgrown, and the waymarker was hidden in undergrowth.

Route sharing

 I was now in the lightly wooded Stanley Common.  At a path junction, I met up with another long distance trail – the New Lipchis Way, and was also still following the Serpent Trail at this point.  The route meandered through light woodland and around the perimeter of Highfield School from which there were sounds of shouts and the odd whistle.  I glimpse through the trees revealed that a game of football was in progress.

Highfield School

 I soon found myself on a straight metalled track which led after about 1/2m to Highfield Lane.  I had expected to come out at or very near a road junction, but I did not.  Another careful study of the map revealed that I must have missed a waymarker and carried on down some kind of old driveway, rather than follow what looks on the map to be a much nicer bridleway continuing its meandering course through the woods.  It also meant I had a 1/4 mile walk along the road to rejoin the SBP. 

Sussex-Hampshire border near Liphook

 After walking down Highfield Lane to the junction with Midhurst Road, and passing the point where I should have emerged, I crossed over and headed up a byway near to the outskirts of Liphook.  Initially on a dirt path, it soon met up with a metalled driveway and continued SW for approximately 2km.  En route I passed a couple of Forestry Commission conifer plantations (including the wonderfully named ‘Shufflesheeps’), and the edge of a hamlet of posh properties called Wheatsheaf Inclosure, before reaching Liphook Golf course.  Here I saw a couple of people who were busy with the unenviable job of picking up all the balls fired from the driving range.

Hatch Firs Plantation

 Emerging on the old Portsmouth Road from Liphook, I passed the Black Fox pub and then headed up a narrow tree lined bridleway which soon entered an attractive wood.  Here I passed an elderly couple out for an afternoon stroll, and we exchanged pleasantries.

Black Fox

 On a short northward diversion, the path then skirted the edge of Ripsley Farm, where I had a sit down  and snack break, before passing underneath the railway.

Under the railway

 Turning west I passed the fancy gates and long driveway to Home Park – the pathway here was made entirely of sand.  Here the map showed a large pond to my right, but it was tantalisingly out of sight behind vegetation.  I was determined to get a proper view however, so went briefly off piste and found my way to a spot where I could at least see more than a glimpse of water.

A glimpse of Folly Pond

 Swinging SW once more the route continued with woodland on the left and more open views towards MOD owned land on the right.  I had to endure another overgrown section of path before reaching the hamlet of Langley.  Here I spotted a touching little pet cemetery on a bank under a yew tree.

Pet cemetery

 I crossed the railway line again, this time on a road bridge and began the final 2km of today’s walk, which was unfortunately all on country lanes.  Towards the southern end of Brewells Lane I passed White Eagle Lodge, home of a British Spiritualist organization founded in 1934.

Brewells Lane

 Finally emerging on the B2070 at Rake, I made good use of the refreshment facilities at the Flying Bull pub where I had parked my car for the day (with the landlord’s permission, of course).  I paid £1.85 for a pint of lime and soda and a large packet of crisps, which seems a reasonable price, and it reminded me of the time when I was walking the Greensand Way and I was charged £3.85 for the same thing at the Black Horse in Pluckley, Kent!

Flying Bull, Rake

Once again I enjoyed today’s walk very much.  It was a shame the overcast weather prevented me enjoying much of the views from Black Down, but I did see the sun a few times during the day.  I was glad I had made the decision to use a taxi for the transfer – I felt very satisfied at having completed over 15 miles of the route today, after chipping away at this western section of the SBP since January, with short sections and circular walks. 

The route

Stage 17 Alford Bars to A283 Ramsnest Common – 7.1miles (and return 8.6 miles)

As mentioned in my previous post, I decided to do this walk alone, without either of the dogs, so I didn’t have to worry about the weather being too warm for them.  I was going to do another circular walk so the SBP section was again rather modest, but at least I am continuing to chip away at it (the return route was somewhat longer at 8.6m).  I did also wonder in advance how I would feel during the walk itself, as I never walk entirely alone in the countryside – would I feel uneasy or lonely?

Parked up outside the Roger Tichborne pub

Someone's getting married today ...

I parked up outside the Sir Roger Tichborne pub in Alfold Bars at just before 9am, and set off south down the B2133 for a 100m or so, before turning right (SE) down a bridleway.  At the roadside there was a sign directing people to ‘Leigh and Katie’s Wedding’.  A little way along the lane I caught sight of something very unusual in the adjacent field - statues of the bride and groom constructed out of those large round straw bales. They must have been over 15feet tall! I have to admit that I did trespass a little into the field to get close enough to photograph them.

... and here are the happy couple!

Construction work at Oakhurst Farm

Just before Oakhurst Farm the bridleway was diverted into a field.  There was a huge amount of construction work going on at the farm itself.  The route then continued initially on a wide dirt track and I could see the wedding reception preparations going on in the adjacent field.

Wide dirt track adjacent to the wedding reception field (over hedge)

Junction with the Wey South Path at Barberry Bridge

I soon reached a path junction at Barberry Bridge – the SBP was crossed by the Wey South Path, a route of some 36 miles from Guildford to a junction with the South Downs Way above Amberley, West Sussex. It was devised in the early 1970s on behalf of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust, then a newly established body aiming to restore the waterway which had previously linked the rivers Wey and Arun. This is the point where my return route would bring me back to the SBP later.

Crossing the corner of a small field

After crossing the corner of a small field, the path then took to the trees again, as it ran alongside Oxencroft copse.  There was a lake marked on the map but I couldn’t see it.

Oxencroft copse

Path skirting the garden of 'Forest View'

 I skirted the large garden of an isolated house called ‘Forest View’ (a tad unimaginative perhaps, considering its position deep in Hog Wood) and then joined the long driveway leading to Lee House Farm.  This section was only about 1km long, but straight, rough metalled/cinder tracks through woods are probably my least favourite paths (even worse than road walking), so I was glad to reach the end. At the farm there were some free range piggies in a field which is always nice to see.

Long straight driveway to Lee House Farm

Free range piggies

Once past the farm the path soon left the wide track and followed a meandering footpath between Weald Barkfold Copse and Upper Ifold Wood.  My guidebook (which I am not actually following as it describes the route in the opposite direction to that which I am walking it) mentioned that the SBP may not follow the route here as marked on the OS map.  This indeed appeared to be the case, as I deviated from the track I had previously downloaded to my GPS.  Fortunately, the route was very well way-marked on this section.

Crossing a dry stream in Upper Ifold Wood

On the last bit of this woodland section the path became very overgrown – it looked hardly used, despite being a Forestry Commission wood.  I had opted to wear cropped trousers that morning, a decision I began to regret as I got stung by nettles and scratched by brambles!

Overgrown path

Muck-spread field

I emerged from the woods into a ‘fragrant’ field which had been spread with cow manure.  Fortunately this had clearly been done some days or even weeks earlier and the smell was really little more than a faint odour.

Dungate Farm

Path leaving the Plaistow/Dunsfold Lane

After passing Dungate Farm, I emerged on the Plaistow/Dunsfold Lane.  Crossing straight over, the route dived down a dark tree-lined path that ran alongside houses and across the head of a nice private road.  There were quite a few properties grouped here, but the hamlet doesn’t appear to have a name on the map.

private road in nameless hamlet

"Timbers"

I passed a couple of fine properties including one called Timbers (that woodland connection again!), and then the path skirted the edge of Durfold Wood and Downlands Wood. The latter had been partly felled, so there was rather more bracken than trees at this point.

Path alongside Durfold Wood

Downsland Wood without the trees

Striding purposefully along on what appeared to be a clear path, I was suddenly met with branches and brambles completely blocking the route.  I couldn’t believe that the path could suddenly disappear like that!  Fortunately, by back tracking about 30m I found a turning I had missed (the way-marking failed for once here).  Looking at the map in detail it appears that the route had been diverted slightly from the field edge into the wood, and I had arrived at the point where it dog-legged back out of the trees again.

The path comes to an abrupt end .....

... but backtracking I found I had missed this path

There were views to the south briefly and then as the path emerged more into open countryside, there were also good views to the northeast towards what I assume was the Greensand Ridge.

At last, a view (south)!

Views NE towards Greensand Ridge

The map showed the presence of a golf course near Shilinglee Park, but I certainly didn’t see one. Later research indicated that the course closed back in 2002 after a change in ownership. Instead, there are now some racehorse gallops, but unfortunately the only horses I saw were those at rest in their fields.  Shillinglee Golf Course

Warning signs near the old golfcourse at Shillinglee Park

Nice horses, but not of the racing variety

After crossing a narrow lane the path followed a hedge line through a large arable field.  The corn had been harvested, but the straw still lay on the ground waiting to be baled.  I met a woman with her small daughter and elderly Dalmatian dog.  At a field boundary I took off my rucksack and sat on the stile to enjoy a coffee break – it was a little after 11am afterall!

Harvested arable field

Time for a coffee break

In a patch of woodland called Furze Field, a lot of clearance work was being undertaken.  There were felled trees everywhere, and initially I was concerned that the route may be blocked.  However, I found the path after a few moment’s searching, although unfortunately it was another one of those nasty overgrown ones and my legs got scratched and stung again!  

Timber cutting in Furze Field

Oh dear, more brambles!

The final km or so was on a rather muddy path through light coppiced woodland.  It was wet enough to require some small diversions off the path round the worst of it.

The muddy path leading to the A283

A283

When I reached the A283 near Ramsnest Common I turned left (south) and walked the short distance to where the SBP leaves the road again on its journey south west. 

The route from Alfold Bars to the A283 near Ramsnest Common

My walk along the SBP was over for the day – I had completed 7.1 miles, which included my slight diversion to photograph the bride and groom statues near the beginning of the walk.  I turned round and began to retrace my steps until I reached the overgrown footpath and felled trees in Furze Field, where I turned left on a bridleway to begin my alternative return route.

The key points of the return trip were:

• The guide book mentioned that the paths east of Gostrode Farm can cause problems.  I don’t know what the problems were in 1999 when the book was written, but when a footpath left the bridleway and climbed a hill, it took a few moments to find the way out of the field at the top.  I was then confronted by a large field of maize, about 6ft high.  Initially there appeared to be a wide track running through it, but this narrowed considerably almost as soon as I entered the crop, and it was quite surreal walking through the maize without being able to see anything – I did keep my GPS in my hand to ensure I was walking in the correct direction. It started to spit with rain as I left the maize field.

Yes, there really is a footpath through here!

• After a little road walking the footpath effectively went through the gardens of a couple of properties – something that always makes me feel a little uncomfortable.  The second house was Follies Farm, and it was a lovely rambling property. Two Bernese Mountain Dogs barked at me from a distance, and when owner came out to shut the dogs up I did check with her that I wasn’t trespassing.

Follies Farm

• The route continued for a little over 2km on woodland paths and tracks and then it skirted the northern end of a lake.  It was now raining lightly and the rain drops made patterns on the water surface.  I initially thought this must be part of the restored Wey & Arun Canal, but I’m not so sure now.

Raindrops pattern the surface of a lake near Durfold Hall Farm

• After crossing the Plaistow-Dunsfold road again, the path soon returned to woodland.  I was just coming up to the 12mile mark on my walk, and had promised myself some lunch at this point even though it was still raining.  Suddenly I heard shouts to my right, and peering through the trees spotted a game of polo in progress.  Continuing a further 200m along the path, I reached a gateway which allowed access to the polo field.  There were a number of cars parked, and I asked a guy (who was putting on this boots prior to competing in a game), if it was OK for me to sit and eat my lunch there (in the rain).  I was at the Burningfold Polo Club and they were apparently competing for the Alfold Bowl.

About to start the next match in the Alfold Bowl

Polo ponies heading for the chukka field

• Near Hurlands I had trouble finding the route and spent 5 minutes walking round a barn and then tracking back and forth in a narrow field with the GPS in my hand.  Eventually, I found a partially hidden stile, and gratefully escaped (although not without a couple more stings to my poor legs).  I then walked through a very pretty wild flower meadow and even disturbed a deer which ran for cover as soon as she saw me.

Wild flower meadow

• After a bit of road walking I headed into Sidney Wood and joined the Wey South Path, mentioned above.  For part of the way I was obviously walking next to the old Wey and Arun canal , but there was only a very small section near the end, before rejoining the SBP, that actually had any water in it.  The main restored part is a bit further south between Loxwood and Billingshurst. 

The Wey and Arun Canal devoid of water

One of the few stretches of water on this unrestored section of canal

• I rejoined the SBP at Barberry Bridge and retraced my steps back to Alfold Bars.  It was now mid afternoon.  The wedding reception didn’t appear to have started yet, but someone had tied mauve balloons to the direction signs since I passed this way in the morning.

Return route

The weather, which had started grey, got rather damp in the middle and then turned out wonderfully sunny by the end of the walk.  The majority of both outward and return routes were in woodland of some kind, so the views were in rather limited supply, but it was still an enjoyable walk for all that (I would have liked a few less stings and scratches on my shins though!) And how did I feel about walking 16 miles alone?  Absolutely fine, so I’ll be doing it again.