The hot weather was supposed to be ending, and it had rained overnight, and
was still the odd shower in the morning. I planned a walk around Black Down
near Haslemere starting at one of the Tennyson's lane car parks. From there
over the top and down towards Haslemere then back down the valley and over to
Fernhurst. From here following a strange path towards Henley I got from a
Haslemere to Arundel walk. Leave that path in Verdley Wood working across to
the Lugashall Winery, and turnback to Black Down. Gradual then steeper
climbing up to the temple of the Winds, before returning to the car park along
the top of Black Down.
We left early to avoid the school runs and were on our way along the back roads
up to Tennyson's Lane then into the small car park. Although it was raining all the way over, it stopped as we arrived. From here we climbed up the
obvious route that climbs to the edge of the escarpment looking south to the
South Downs in the mist.
Along the Serpent way on the flatter top of the Down, before turning along the
Sussex Border Path.
still on the flatter top but descending slightly to the edge of the
heathland.
Into the Beech woods of Ridden Corner and Chase Wood.
Leaving the SBP and turning across fields, first shallow then steep down to the
driveway for Valewood house.
Along the driveway until a gate gave access to the NT area, where we followed
the path angling across the field.
Across a back lane at Wadesmarsh farm and onto a path beside horse paddocks,
turning along the back and into woods at the end.
In the woods drop down to a Byway and follow this along and around some building
works. The byway is very rutted and churned up, but dry enough to escape the
mud.
The Byway came out onto the driveway at Upper Sopers - a ruin with lots of
building work going on. Then leaving on a track across the fields.
The track mutated into a tidier path as it came out into the village of
Fernhurst. We then turned down on the green and rec ground passing the red lion
pub.
Outside the village we turned onto a footpath within a tunnel of hedges then
into a fields below. There was tree harvesting going on so we had to follow the
path rather than cut the corner off.
Following a driveway down and passing below Verdley Place, then on across the
stream beyond.
On the other side of the stream we turned off the road and onto a path in the
woods - Dawes Highfield Copse
Over another stream and into Verdley Wood - a forestry area with a network of
paths.
Out of Verdley Wood and onto the driveway to Surney Farm. After a short way the
path leaves and follows the stream on a rough road. We have been on this track
before on a local walk.
Finally leaving the rough road and into a grass field angling across to a back
road at Hoewyck farm. Turning to Upperfold farm.
Along a byway climbing slightly until we could turn off into a grass field, a
short section of wood and a sheep field
Finally leaving our prior route we continued into woods and on into Windfallwood
common and the driveway to a number of houses.
across a back road and down beside some houses, leaving the driveway beside a
big gate. At a crossways of paths we turned back on ourselves through sheep
fields and up to Hobstevens house. (where they were building an oak frame
shed)
A short section up Quell Lane until we could take a recently cleared track into
Quellwood common. The common ends at a private woodland and we follow the track
to the edge of Blackdown farm. Turning through the farm buildings and across a
field to pick up a byway.
Along the byway back to Quell lane, up it as it climbed to a car park
Opposite the car park we climbed up a path that ascended steeply (with a few
zigzags) to the Temple of the Winds. Ignoring the Belted Galloways we paused for
a rest and refreshments after the climb.
Back along the top of Black Down towards the car park. We actually followed a
side track along the edge of the escarpment - I had never used this one before,
but it was a good alternative to the Serpents Way.
The final section down to the car park around a small inlet. At the lookout
point looking down to the South Downs now all the mist has cleared.
Down to the car park and the van waiting. Time for more refreshment and some snacks. We got home just as a following rain shower crossed over, we had escaped the whole walk.
