27 April 2022

Serpents Trail south of Petworth, Local

Another stroll along the next section of the Serpents Trail from where it bends around at Fittleworth.
We parked in the car park at Hesworth Common, and headed into the woods aiming to cut the ST where it emerged out of the common (we could have followed it up to the high point).
Coming out of the woods we came across the first of a number of swathes of bluebells, before turning along the first of a number of vehicle tracks - both would reoccur throughout the walk.
The track emerged onto the side road at the old Swan pub (looking for new owners). From here there was a contrived section along the road over the river Rother and the disused railway.
More of the road and into the village of Lower Horncroft. Finally we left the road and took the driveway to Tripphill farm.
The driveway turned into a vehicle track into Coates common and more bluebells
Climbing up to Sutton Common, with views across to the South Downs as they bend around Duncton Down.
Crossing the heathland of the common down to the pond at Lord's piece car park.
On the opposite side from the pond we followed a track into the woods of Collumn Hill which then came out at a back road at Sutton End.
A bit on the back road before taking a drive which led to a track into the woods and lots more bluebells.
This ended at another back road until we turned off beside Crouch Farm
We emerged at Chingford Pond and crossed the dam, complete with a large number of signs indicating the private sections belonging to Burton Park estate.
Into the estate village beyond the pond (with more Keep Off signs) then turning down into the woods .
Cutting through the woods coming pout to a road where it passed Burton Mill Pond.
The Pond and car park were crossed again on another dam.
Beyond Burton Mill we climbed the bank into woods (and a lot more bluebell swathes)
The path came out above some pasture fields, which we followed the fence line to reach Shopham bridges over the old railway line and also the river Rother once more. 
going around large pasture fields first on a farm drive then a farm track, as we worked our way up to the path we had followed last time we were here.
Beyond Hesworth farm we climbed up the road initially then into the common, reaching continuing up to the high point.
Dropping down the other side and back to the van. Today's route seemed to be mostly on vehicle tracks, and roads as it contrived to join several small bits of interesting bits.
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25 April 2022

Serpents Trail north of Midhurst, Local

There was a section of the Serpents Trail we had missed out previously above Midhurst, so Bertie and I made our way over to Bonboy pond carpark just before Midhurst. We would start here and head West to pick up the ST up on Woolbeding Common, following it East to the point we left it on the Petworth Park walk, then dropping back to the carpark.
We left the carpark, and headed up the slope behind the van, before following the path towards the golf course. There were huge swathes of bluebells on the shady side of the slope.
Crossing the golf course needed care as there were many players out and the balls were flying all over.
Leaving the golf course, and crossing a field down the a track called "the Race"  - a rough green track was rather unexpected. Down to the Easebourne hamlet, before picking up a lane continuing onwards.
A zigzag through more crop fields brought us out on the A286 (that needed a staggered crossing), before going down a lane, still heading westward.
Another Zigzag along the edge of the old king Edward VII hospital - now a housing estate bounded by fencing and gorge mounds.
As we reached the lower edge of Woolbeding Common we turned north, through an open area before following a stone wall all the way through trees to car park where we had turned on our last visit here.
Picking up the ST where we had left it, on a vehicle track that dropped behind a copse, down to a pasture field that crossed to the woods opposite.
As we moved through the forest - harvested in the recent years - the trail took on a different aspect as it dropped sharply down, with views  across to the temple of the Winds (close to the start of the ST)
Turning to avoid the A286 road we climbed back up through Henley Common, continuing along the ridge edge above.
Dropping once again down through the village of Henley, and down a narrow twitten and into Verdley Wood.
We followed a wide track through Verdley Wood as it undulated up and down and was stitched with mountain bike trails containing the obligatory ramps and jumps.
The trail left the woods onto the back road through Bexleyhill, then climbed up through Bexleyhill Common showing views across the Weald to the West
Leaving the Common we dropped once again through crop fields. From the bottom we negotiated a damp track around some cottages before entering the woods again.
We came out of the woods at the edge of fields, and followed a path back to Lodge farm where we left the ST, to make our way back towards the van through more crop fields
As we followed a stream on a winding track, overlooked by well tended gardens on the edge of a bank.
The stream came out at the village of Lodsworth, crossing over the road and through the fields below Lodsworth House
Into the woods of Gosdens heath and up to the track (we had walked this a couple of years ago circumnavigating Midhurst). The return to Benbow pond from here was complicated by trying to find a more direct route and being blocked by private woodland. Eventually I came out in some fields that allowed us to exit into the parklands.
Dropping back to the pond from the parkland, and the welcome sight of the van. The ST proved once again some interesting walking undulating and winding.