The March AAC walk was scheduled to go from Petersfield railway station
up to Liphook via the Serpent and Sussex boundary ways. I left the car at the
Liphook station and caught the train down - since Liphook is not on the fast
circuit, but Petersfield is so I had to arrive much earlier than the London
crowd and took the opportunity for a breakfast in Petersfield before everyone
else arrived.
The walk started by going through the town centre and across to the Heath pond
where the Serpents way started. Then following it around the pond and across to
the corner of the park. From here along the residential area and past the
nuclear bunkers (at least one is now a residence)
Through the field and over the river rother. the Serpents way followed the edge
of several fields before recrossing the river.
Through the deer farm and out to backroad at Durleighmarsh. Up the road (leaving
the Serpents way where it turned the opposite way) and over the Rother for the
last time up to the A272. On the other side following the driveway to the farm
shop and other commercial units. Now on the Sussex Border path and climbed along
a sunken lane.
The lane climbed up and into Durford Wood. Through the wood to the car park just
outside Hill Brow.
Still on the Sussex border path and merging with the Serpents Way that had come
back from its excursion to Petworth. The path went through Rake Hanger to the
B3006 and up to the Flying Bull pub in Rake, for the lunch stop.
After lunch we followed the B2070 on the pavement to a back road up to Langley woods following a track to the edge of Chapel common back on the Serpents way (the new route had taken it off a ways).
Through Chapel common on the old Serpents way track, up to Ripsley farm. Then up to the railway track and under it. Then onto a road that is not on the maps to where the path left to Wheatsheaf common.
Through the common and onto Liphook golf course. Along the edge of the golf course up to the drive to Foley manor, continuing to the B2070. The final section followed the road into Liphook and aroudn to the station. I left everyone here as they waited for trains - we had just missed the prior one towards London. I was grateful that I could head home and save a 45min wait for the next Petersfield train
