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This Week's Walks - Archive

Please see the Saturday Walker's Club This Week's Walks page.

This is an archive of walks done by the Saturday Walker's Club. You should only need to use this page if the SWC website is down.

Saturday 7 May 2016

Saturday Second Walk -- New Walk 263: Haslemere to Midhurst

SWC 263:  Haslemere to Midhurst via Temple of the Winds and the tiny hamlet of Henley

Distance:  14.1 Miles (22.7 km), with options to shorten to approximately 12 miles (19.4 km)

Difficulty:  8 out of 10 (7 out of 10 with both shortcuts)

Train:  Take the 9:00 Portsmouth Harbor train from London Waterloo to Haslemere, arriving at 9:48.  The return journey requires taking a 70 bus from the Midhurst Bus Terminal to Haslemere station (20 minutes) – buses run at 17:00; 18:00 and 19:05 and return trains to Waterloo from Haslemere are frequent (02; 15; 32 and 39 past the hour – dropping to 02; 15; 32 at 20:00 until 21:32 with a last train at 22:15) -- trains at 32 past the hour connect well with the bus.  Groups of 3-5 may want to consider sharing a taxi – Midhurst Taxi – 01730 622 013) back to Haslemere.  Buy a day return to Haslemere.
As previously highlighted, the third installment of the Get Fit For Ullapool program presents the opportunity to walk check a brand new walk – hot off the press!  The walk combines some of the best features of two existing walks that go from Haslemere to Midhurst – first gently climbing to the Temple of Winds viewpoint on the Black Down before dropping steeply into the valley to lunch in the tiny hamlet of Henley.  After lunch the route again climbs for more stunning views back across the morning route and onward to the South Downs in the distance before dropping down to finish with a stroll through the Cowdray Estate with its evocative house ruins.  The walk instructions and more details are available here.
The recommended lunchtime pub is the Duke of Cumberland Arms in Henley (tel 01428 652 280), about 8 miles (12 km) into the walk, which serves food until 2:00 PM.  A booking for 10 has been made at 1:30.  Larger groups should call ahead.   An earlier alternate pub, the Kings Arms (tel 01428 641 165), which serves food until 2:30 can be found with a diversion from the main route.
The recommended tea stop is the Cowdray Farm Shop and Café – open until 5:00pm.  Alternatively, the White Horse pub in Easebourne is open all day on Saturdays and could provide stronger afternoon refreshment.  Midhurst also has a several options for post walk libations.

Enjoy the walk!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I am new to this and wondering if the instructions for this walk have been uploaded somewhere else or if it's too soon? Also if there is an OS map number. Thanks

Marion said...

Walk instructions to be posted later. Its a new walk so is still in progress as stated

Anonymous said...

I'm new too. Do I get a return ticket Waterloo Haslemere Waterloo? Thank you
Barbara

Anonymous said...

A day return to Haslemere, yes. There will also be a bus fare from Midhurst to Haslemere at the end. Stargazer will I am sure provide full details very shortly

Anonymous said...

I may be walking my own Temple of the Four winds walk on this day. However quite a bit of road walking is entailed.
jfk
Pleased to report that the Boro Commander for richmond has been suspended on allegations of gross misconduct.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Karen A lovely walk with lots of ups and downs and lovely views even with the haze in the morning
Well worth the effort
I Strain

Unknown said...

What a great introduction to the club. Wonderful instructions we didn't need our map at all. See you all soon. Nicky & Tove

Walker said...

N=31 on this grand new walk in a day of w=hot-sun. What a contrast to two weeks ago!

We took what seemed to me a new route up to the Temple of the Winds, a long steady climb through the bright fresh green of newly leafing beech woods. The temple itself was occupied by placidly munching Belted Galloways (aka "Oreo cows").

We then "lived the view", desending into lovely rolling country, including several woods festooned with bluebells, stitchwort, celandines and wood anemones. The recommended pub seems to have accommodated the group easily in its idyllic garden. Five of us "took one for the team" and tried the less romantic alternative pub, which was perfectly adequate.

After a further climb, wonderful views back to the Temple of the Winds, then a gentle descent to Midhurst, most, I think, had tea al fresco at the Cowdray Park cafe. Some of us stayed for drinks and a look around pretty Midhurst and were rewarded with a £2 "Nightrider" bus fare (aimed at local yoof going clubbing in Guildford, I think) on the 7pm bus to Haslemere.