Monday Walk - Lyme Regis to Axminster

Lyme Regis to Axminster Monday 30^th June 2025

 

Description: This is another pretty route through quiet woods, streams, fields and lanes.  This is a different route from the one we took on Friday.

Length: 11.9 miles

Toughness: 4/10

 GPX: Lyme Regis to Axminster

#/test/tahnyet/Lyme-Regis-Axminster.gpx

 Detail: this is a gently undulating walk starting along the river Lim in town, then onto the Wessex Ridgeway and through the woods of Hole Common.  Some parts maybe boggy depending on recent rainfall.   After this you cross the A35.  TAKE CARE as fast traffic both ways.  If you walk to your left along this road for roughly 100m, there may be a safer place to cross using the central reservation.  Continue on through Wyld Warren, another wood, and finally along Evil Lane into Axminster.  Plenty of shops, cafes pubs in Axminster (if you have time to linger) otherwise purchase supplies for the train

 Meet at the clocktower on the seafront at 10am.

 Lunch:  Buy something to eat and drink before setting off as no pubs or shops on this route until you get to Axminster.

 If you wish to omit this walk then the buses back to Axminster from Lyme Regis leaving from The Square (at the clocktower) are:

Bus X53  10.19am; 12.19;14.19;16.25; 16.46

Bus X51  11.19;  13.19; 15.19;15.37; 17.21; 18.18

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Sunday Walk – Althorne to Burnham-on-Crouch

Extra Walk 162 (variation) – Althorne to Burnham-on-Crouch

Length: Up to 15¾ km (9.8 miles). Toughness: 1/10

10:23 Southend Victoria train from Liverpool Street (Stratford 10:30), changing at Wickford (arr 11:00, dep 11:05) for the Southminster service waiting on the adjacent platform, arriving Althorne at 11:25. Buy a return to Burnham-on-Crouch.

Trains back from Burnham-on-Crouch are hourly at xx:09, again changing at Wickford.

Sunday is the last day of the week-long Burnham Art Trail and there are many venues dotted around this charming riverside town. By starting the walk from Althorne instead of North Fambridge you'll reach Burnham at about 1pm and have plenty of time to view the exhibits. If you want a pub lunch you'll see that our diligent walk author has produced an impressively long list of its hostelries (one source claims that this small town has 22 licenced premises, so it might have been easier to list the places where you can't get a drink).

You've got several options for the afternoon. If you can drag yourself away from the exhibits there's a 7 km extension to the east of the town which you might not have done before, including a fairly obvious place where you could take a short cut along a permissive farm path and reduce it to 4 km. The walk route takes you back through Burnham on the way to the station so you'll have another chance to peruse the art, but bear in mind that most of the venues will close at around 4.30–5pm.

Additional Walk Notes: From Althorne you simply go down the lane from the level crossing and turn left onto the riverside path in front of the marina. Ignore the walk's out-and-back stretch up to the pub in Althorne and carry on towards Burnham. The written directions for the afternoon take you out along the riverbank and back along farm paths, but I'd be tempted to do this loop in the other direction if only to split up the riverside stretches.

You can view the suggested route and/or download a gpx from the New Walks page, but I'd still recommend bringing the walk notes from the L=swc.162.a

Sunday Walk - Lyme Regis Circular to Golden Cap (with option to continue on to West Bay)

Lyme Regis circular 11.5 miles

Lyme Regis to West Bay 10.3 miles

Toughness: 8/10

 Today’s walk is eastward from Lyme Regis.  We take the short inland route (due to high tide in the morning) picking up the South West Coast Path down through Charmouth and then walk over the cliffs and downs and up  a climb of 600 feet (on a well laid path) to the top of the Golden Cap.  From here you have a choice of either walking inland back to Lyme, or carrying on eastwards towards West Bay.

 This walk is tide dependent.  Today high tide in Lyme Regis and Charmouth beaches will be at 10:19am;   Low tide will be at 15:38pm.

 Meet at the Clocktower at the seafront harbour at 10am.  This is located at the Cobb Gate (not the Cobb) in the eastern end of the town.

 Refreshments:

 The Beach Café and Heritage Centre on Charmouth beach, serving snacks, takeaway food, ice creams, tea coffee etc.  About 3 miles from start of walk.

Anchor Inn, Seatown Beach details here.  Serves seafood, and is 7.2 miles into the walk.

Many options in Lyme Regis to buy picnic lunch.

 Walk Options

 Option 1:  Walk to the Golden Cap from Lyme Regis and return via the inland route. GPX: Lyme Regis Circular via Golden Cap 

#/test/tahnyet/Lyme-Regis-Circular-via-Golden-Cap.gpx

 This is an undulating walk from Lyme Regis to the top of the Golden Cap, offering magnificent views in both directions of the Jurassic coast.  You then return down the path you came up and head inland, past the remains of Gabriel’s Church, through the small hamlet of Upcot, and skirting under Stonebarrow Hill.  The route brings you back to Charmouth, where you can retrace your steps back to Lyme Regis, or walk back to Lyme along the beach.

Important Note:  Only walk back on the beach at LOW TIDE.  This is at 15.38pm today.  The beach is quite rocky in places, but it will cut the distance by two miles.

 Option 2 – continuing on to West Bay.  Once on the Golden Cap continue onto West Bay.  Basically you keep the sea on your right!   You get wonderful views of the golden cliffs in West Bay as you walk towards it.  GPX: Lyme Regis to West Bay

#/test/tahnyet/Lyme-Regis-West-Bay.gpx or see #swc331

 If time allows, there are swimming opportunities in West Bay (but keep eye on bus times).  Plenty of places for eating and drinking in West Bay.

 Return bus X53 from West Bay to Lyme Regis leaves from The George  at 15.26 and 17.26

 These buses also carry on to Axminster. t=swc.453

Sunday walk - Woldingham to Oxted

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Length: 16¾ km (10.4 miles). Toughness 5/10.

Shorter option (missing out Godstone): 11.5km (7.1 miles) 

Toughness: 3/10

Trains: Get the 10.21 East Grinstead train from Victoria (Clapham Junction 10.28, East Croydon 1040) arriving Woldingham at 10.55. 

Return trains from Oxted run twice an hour at xx.30 & xx.59 to Victoria. All trains go through East Croydon where you can change for London Bridge. 

Buy a return to Oxted.

Lunch: Godstone, 9½ km along the main route. The Hare & Hounds (01883-742296) serves typical pub food; the more up-market alternatives are the White Hart (01883-742521) and the Bell Inn (01883-743216). Light lunches are available at the Green Rooms of Godstone.

The Short Walk goes through Old Oxted after 5½ km, with three pubs close together on its short High Street. A little further on, however, the suggested lunch place on this variation is The Haycutter (01883-776955) in Broadham Green.

Tea: Various options in Oxted, including a Wetherspoons pub by the station.

For more details click L=swc.2

Saturday Walk - Hever to Leigh

Hever to Leigh

Length: Length: 14.2 km (8.8 miles). Toughness: 2/10

10:07 Southern service from London Bridge to Uckfield (East Croydon 10:22) arriving at Hever 10.49

Return trains from Leigh are at xx:05 to Victoria (change at Redhill)and at xx:26/27 to Charing Cross (change at Tonbridge)

Buy a return to Leigh (kent). On the way out it is only valid as far as Edenbridge. In practice a Leigh ticket is usually accepted to Hever (the next stop) but you might be asked to pay a small supplement.

An SWC classic walk. The route passes two castles, a stately home, rivers, ponds, woods, undulating hills and three lovely villages: the National Trust village of Chiddingstone; Penshurst, with its half-timbered houses; and the historic village of Leigh

Lunch/Tea Options

Penshurst: Leicester Arms Hotel (01892 356141), Porcupine Pantry (01892 870307) outside Penshurst Place and Gardens

Chiddingstone: Castle Inn Pub (tel 01892 870 371), The Tulip Tree Cafe (01892 356575), Chiddingstone Castle tearoom (01892 870347)

Leigh: The Fleur-de-Lis pub, a few minutes’ walk from the railway station is open and serves tea and coffee as well as the usual drinks.

These walks are self led: for full details and to download your copy of the directions see the L=1.19 page.

Saturday Walk - Cotswold Classic (Hanborough to Charlbury) with Charlbury Beer Festival!

Cotswold Classic (Hanborough to Charlbury) with Charlbury Beer Festival!

Length: 12.7 miles (20.5 kilometers for those metrically inclined)

Difficulty: 6 out of 10

Train: Take the 9:50 Great Western Hereford bound train from London Paddington to Hanborough, arriving at 10:53. Return trains from Charlbury are hourly at roughly 11 minutes past the hour. Buy a day return to Charlbury.

This walk makes a peaceful stroll through the Cotswold, passing through the impressive grounds of Blenheim Palace en route. It then passes along the River Evenlode near some old slate quarries and through a few typically Cotswold stone villages before arriving in Charlbury. More information and the instructions for the walk can be found here.

The lunch stop is at the White Horse in Stonesfield (tel 01993-672059). It serves food until 2:30 – please call ahead. In Charlbury, tea can be had at the Bell Hotel. Alternatively, for those seeking something stronger, there are a few pubs in the village and as a special treat the annual Charlbury Beer Festival will be taking place near the station!

Enjoy the walk and the festival! t=1.38

Saturday Walk - Dorking Circular

Dorking Circular T=swc.274

Length: 18½ km † (11.5 miles) or short version 16 km † (9.9 miles)

6 out of 10 or 4 out of 10

With the possibility of the sunny weather continuing, this walk avoids the seaside train routes.

"The walk starts with a long stretch along the lower chalk slopes of the National Trust's Denbies Hillside , a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Main Walk then heads south into the wooded Greensand Hills, going through the extensive Wotton Estate to the picturesque hamlet of Friday Street with its large Hammer Pond.

The return leg crosses a number of ridges on open access land managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission. After passing the large ponds of Bury Hill Fisheries a final climb takes you along the top of The Nower , a semi-natural woodland reserve with splendid views. There are plenty of opportunities for refreshment in Dorking before the journey back."

Trains: Get the 0941 Horsham  Train from London Victoria (Clapham Jct 0948) arriving 1040. Return trains xx17 & xx43. (note, that for travel options to/from London Bridge/Waterloo/Dorking Deepdene, you need a more expensive all routes ticket)

Lunch: The Wotton Hatch (01306-887694) on the A25 at Wotton, after 4.7 miles, 7½ km. It serves food all day and has a large beer garden with views of the North Downs.

Tea: Various options in Dorking

Saturday Walk - Seaton Circular via Beer and Branscombe

Main walk: A lovely walk along the beach from Seaton seafront heading west.   You walk along the esplanade, and then drop onto the beach and continue  until you come to some steps which take you to the cliff top (passing a tearoom on the right with great views out to sea.  Route takes you along the shady path down to Beer (more refreshments) and then onto Branscombe beach which has a bar serving snacks, meals and drinks and facilities for refilling water bottles.   From here we turn inland walking past streams and the manor mill now grinding animal feed (open to public Wed and Sun only) through the picturesque village of Branscombe, and climb up through woodlands, around fields through a very rural area back to Seaton. 

Travel:  Meet at the bus stop by the Clock Tower Cobb Gate Car Park, right on the seafront in Lyme Regis..  Bus 378 west bound, departs at 9.25am.  You can also catch this bus at the Holm Bush Car Park at 9.26. Journey is about 25 minutes.  Get off at Seaton seafront.

Return buses from Seaton:  Bus378 at 13.35; 15.05 and 17.10 from Seaton seafront.

Length of walk: 8.6 miles

Note: If the tide is high along the beach in Seaton, you can take the steps up from the end of the Esplanade next to a tea room. It is signposted ‘Coast Path Inland Route for high tides’ and it will take you to the cliff top.

GPX: Seaton Circular

Option for Extension - Seaton to Lyme Regis along undercliff: If you would like to extend the walk today, you can walk  back to Lyme Regis from Seaton via the landslip

Distance: 7 miles

This is a very lovely but steeply undulating walk above the sea, under a dense green forest canopy with glimpses of the sea.  Many steps have been laid along this route, making this walk somewhat less challenging than it used to be,.  Please be aware, once on this path you cannot get off (cliffs on one side and sea on the other. 

Directions:  Once you have returned to the Seaton seafront, continue walking along the Esplanade eastwards.  Turn left into Trevelyan Road, and then right into Harbour Rd.  Walk over Axmouth Bridge and curve left with the road.  You can then pick up the SWC route/map/gpx for this Undercliff extension which you will find here: https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walk/seaton-to-lyme-regis-via-the-undercliff/map.html

Sightseeing on a tram around Seaton

For those who don’t want to walk today, there is a lovely little tramway which covers 3 miles of unspoilt countryside along the beautiful Axe Valley.  It’s a narrow gauge heritage tram running between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton through River Axe estuary and two nature reserves along the river.  The trams are usually open topped so you can get a really good view of the surroundings. Details for the tram are here: https://www.tram.co.uk/

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Friday Walk - Axminster to Lyme Regis

Take the 10.20 train from Waterloo, arriving Axminster 13.02 stopping at Clapham J.10.27; Woking 10.46

Toughness:  4/10 Mainly across fields, through woodlands, and alongside streams.

Lunch: Bring a picnic as no pubs until Uplyme.

Railway Kitchen Café in Axminster station is open Fri, Sat 7.30am - 3pm; Sun 8.30-2pm; Mon Closed

Walk Option 1: Walk from Axminster station to Lyme Regis is about 6.6 miles.  This is a delightful walk through fields, woods, and the small village of Uplyme, ending along the river path into Lyme Regis’s main street ‘almost hurrying into the sea’(Persuasion).

GPX: Axminster to Lyme Regis (Option 1)

Walk Option 2 Walk from Axminster to Lyme Regis via the Prescott Pinetum 7.2 miles in total. The wood is at the eastern end of the East Devon AONB where you can enjoy a wander among magnificent trees. GPX: Axminster to Lyme Regis (Option 2)

Option 3: Take the 13.15pm X53bus from Axminster station forecourt to Lyme Regis.  It’s a 25 minute journey to Lyme Regis (Co-op Stop)   After this buses going to Lyme are X51 and X53 alternating with each other at 14.15;15.25;16.25;17.25;18.15 and 18.55.

Bus timetable for Axminster, Lyme Regis, Bridport and West Bay can be found here: here

Eating out in Lyme Regis:  There are many places to eat in Lyme.

Harbour Inn, Marine Parade (very near the Cobb).  Maybe good idea to book. https://www.harbourinnlymeregis.co.uk/

Millside:  Modern British Menu 1 Mill Ln, Lyme Regis DT7 3PU Need to book in advance as this is very popular. https://www.eatatmillside.co.uk/

Herbies: fish and chip kiosk in between the Cobb Arms and Harbour Inn on Marine Parade. The best fish and chip kiosk in my opinion.

….And many other places.

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Lyme Regis Weekend - Fri 27th June to Monday 30th June 2025 - FULLY UPDATED

All walks have been updated and posted under the dates we will be doing them.  

All the relevant train, bus and tide times have been taken from the current websites. 

There are two coastal walks.  Please follow the diversion signs where displayed as there has been a lot of erosion in that area. 

Evening Walk - Turkey Street Circular: London’s first Beaver Enclosure, several scenic waterways, a park and some fine woods

Disclaimer: a longer version of this walk, including a few fine gardens and parks, was posted recently as a daywalk on a Bank Holiday. 

 

Length: 10.2 km (6.3 mi) with 68m ascent/descent 

Net Walking Time: 2 ¼ hrs

Take the 18.21 Overground train to Cheshunt from Liverpool Street (all stations via Stoke Newington and Seven Sisters (Victoria Line), arrives 18.53. 

Return trains : xx.07 and xx.37. Turkey Street is in Zone 6.

This is an interesting route just inside the M25 in the far north of London, in the Borough of Enfield. It combines several scenic waterways, a park and some fine woods as well as a couple of impressive country estates open to the public.

Highlights include a short stretch of The New River and longer stretches along its long de-commissioned Old Course, the Whitewebbs Loop, the (optional and daytime only) route through the Myddelton House Gardens, the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London’s first Beaver Enclosure, the semi-natural ancient woodland at Whitewebbs Park including a stretch along the meandering Cuffley Brook, the Flash Lane Aqueduct which carried the New River across the brook, the Rendlesham Railway Viaduct (on a short detour), the Turkey Brook meandering through Hilly Fields Park as well as through the Forty Hall Estate and the views of Forty Hall.

Eat/Drink : The Rose & Crown Country Pub & Kitchen, located 3.2 km from the end of the Main Walk (but food to 20.00 only).

For walk directions, map, photos, and gpx/kml files click here . T=short.66

Wednesday Walk - Buxted Circular

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LENGTH 10.1 miles

DIFFICULTY 3/10

TRAINS. 10.07 from LONDON BRIDGE (usually platform 10)

Arriving BUXTED 11.16

Return train is hourly at .37

LUNCH is at 

https://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/south-east/thecrowandgatecrowborough?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-homepage#/

A large pub with a large garden. 

There are two bus stops outside the pub with frequent services to Eridge, Uckfield, or Crowborough. The latter stop is not recommended as it is some distance from Crowborough station along a busy road. 

TEA 

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g3845085-d2252118-Reviews-The_Buxted_Inn_Dining_Rooms-Buxted_Uckfield_East_Sussex_England.html

There’s an alternative afternoon route, which I think is more scenic. However Sean reports that it was closed in July 2024 due to a fallen bridge over a stream. Has it reopened?  Or is one year much too short a time to lay down some planks in today’s Britain? I might not be able to resist the temptation to find out!

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Sunday Walk: Cholsey to Goring via Blewbury

Length: 22.5km 14..6 miles. Difficulty 3/10

First the Berkshire Downs, then the Ridgeway and a final loop along the Thames. Lunch is in the quaint village of Blewbury with its thatched cottages and peculiar thatched walls. The walk can be shortened to about 12 miles by following the Ridgeway into Streatley (see below) but, if you go the whole hog, you can visit a riverside pub associated with Wind in the Willows and Three Men in a Boat.

Trains: 

Simplest: take the Didcot Parkway train direct from Paddington at 9:38. Arrives Cholsey at 10:42.

Quickest: Take the 9:50 Hereford train from Paddington, and change at Reading onto the above Didcot Parkway train (arrive Reading10:13 platform 9, depart 10:25 plat 13). 

Freedom pass holders can travel free as far as Reading on the Elizabeth Line. (Paddington 9:15, Ealing Broadway 9:26. Arrive Reading 10:10, change to the 10:25 Didcot PW train). Reading to Cholsey return still needed.

Return trains from Goring are hourly at xx:22 Again, change at Reading for faster or Liz line services. Get a return to Cholsey.

Lunch: 

The Red Lion, Blewbury 01235 850 403 is recommended. There’s a handy churchyard for picnics. Alternatively, there's The Blueberry 01235 850 296 on the London Road, near the Pound.  

Tea: The Beetle and Wedge, by the Thames in Moulsford 01491 651381 open till 4.

The Swan at Streatley 01491 878800 is another riverside pub, nearer the end.

In Goring, there's the Catherine Wheel on Station Road and the Miller of Mansfield on the High Street.

Walk Directions: here

Anyone wanting a shorter ending could cut out the Moulsford loop and stay on the Ridgeway at the asterisk in the directions (i.e. don't turn left). The Ridgeway rejoins the walk route in Streatley. This option is not in the directions. Follow the Ridgeway signs. This clips about 4.5 km /2.8 miles off the walk length. T=swc.49

Sunday Walk: Faversham Circular

Main Walk: 19½ km (12.1 miles).  Short Walk, omitting Oare Marshes: 14½ km (9.0 miles). Difficulty 2 out of 10.

Start with a loop around Ham Marshes, an isolated area between two creeks. After a lunch stop in either Hollowshore or Oare, continue to Oare Gunpowder Works, where remains of that industry can be seen in what is now a country park. Its Visitor Centre explains more and details the local wildlife.

Then, a quiet country lane leads to the hamlet of Luddenham, and its medieval church, where, you have a choice of endings. The longer one takes you on a circuit of Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, the shorter one doesn't. Both endings return through Oare and Faversham.

There are plenty of opportunities for bird-watching so bring your bins. (Last year, the Oare Marsh contingent reported seeing avocets, egrets, and a seal). 

Finally, Faversham is an attractive market town with many historic buildings. Check out this history trail to find a few. 

Trains:

The cheaper, slower option from Victoria is recommended, the 09:40 Ramsgate train, arriving Faversham at 10:51. 

You could get the 9:20 from St Pancras (09:27 Stratford Int.) arriving Faversham 10:26, but it is only marginally quicker, and costs more. And you’d have to wait half an hour for the others. 

Trains return at xx:37 and xx:44 to Victoria, and xx:00 to St Pancras. You need a Highspeed ticket or supplement for St Pancras.

Lunch:

First up, the remote, tumbledown, Shipwright's Arms (01795-590088) in Hollowshore. Oldie worldie, like something out of Dickens, it has a limited menu (burgers, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, etc.) but it does have an interesting range of real ales and the like. It doesn’t take bookings, being purely walk-in.  

Twenty minutes further, in the village of Oare, there’s the Castle (01795-533674) a traditional pub, and the more upmarket Three Mariners (01795-533633). There’s also The Cafe by the Creek (01795-537985). Advisable to book for any of these. 

For DIY blow-outs, there is a picnic area in the Gunpowder Works.

Tea:

There are many possible refreshment places in Faversham (see notes). Most tea shops close at 4 on Sunday, but Café Guild at 48 Court Street (01795-590077) is open to 5.

Nearby is Faversham's oldest surviving pub, the Bear with its quaint old corridor.

On the way to the station, there's a Wetherspoon's, the Leading Light (01795-535075) and the Railway Hotel (01795-501550).    

Directions: here  T=swc.420 

Saturday Walk: Kelvedon Circular

Toughness 3/10 Length: 10, 12, or 14.4 miles (16.3, 19.3 or 23.2 km.)

We had a request for this walk recently. Highlights include the Blackwater River, an old mill, medieval abbey buildings, Grange Barn (said to be the oldest timber-framed building in Europe), and the town of Coggeshall, with over 300 listed buildings, many of them medieval, including Paycockes, a 15th C merchant's house. The full walk gives the opportunity to visit another old barn at Marks Hall Gardens. 

Trains: Take the 10:02 Ipswich train from Liverpool Street,(Stratford 10:09 ) arriving Kelvedon at10:52.

Return trains at xx:22 and 54

Lunch: There are many options in Coggeshall, see the walk notes. Some of the pubs (e.g. Chapel Inn, Woolpack) are ancient. Paycockes has a tearoom.

If doing the full walk, you can also visit “Mrs Salisbury’s Famous Tearoom" at Marks Hall (01376 563 796). No admission charge for the café.  

Tea: The Sun Inn, Feering Hill (01376 570 442) is recommended. There's also the earlier Bell Inn, in Feering (01376 570 375), and the later Railway Tavern in Kelvedon. (01376 570293).

Visiting: Paycockes and Grange Barn are both National Trust properties.

You get a good view of Grange Barn from the outside, to look inside costs £6

Paycockes garden and teashop are free. An inside tour costs £11

Marks Hall Gardens: entry £11 

Walk Directions: here. t=swc.216

If not continuing to Marks Hall, you can take a shorter route through Coggeshall along Church Street. (From Paycockes retrace your steps along West St till you reach the White Hart Hotel. Turn left by the hotel and then immediately right into Church St (opposite the Clock Tower). At the end of Church St, turn right down St Peters Road to rejoin the full walk). 

 

Saturday Walk - Haslemere to Midhurst (via the Midhurst Way)

DAC is away

Length: 16.3 km (10.1 mi) [shorter or longer options, see below]

Ascent/Descent: 332/450m

Net Walking Time: 4 hours

Toughness: 4/10

 

Take the 10.00 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (10.25 Woking, 10.33 G’ford), arrives Haslemere at 10.53.  

Return to Haslemere from Midhurst by Bus Number 70 (at 16.20, 17.25, 18.25 or 19.25). 

Return trains from Haslemere are on xx.00 (fast), xx.32 (fast), xx.37 (a touch slower). Buy a Haslemere return.

 

The route of this walk leads out of Haslemere in a southerly direction through Camelsdale and steeply up to Marley Common, a mixture of mature woodland and open heathland and then continues south through a fine mix of quiet forests with frequent far views out to the South Downs or back to Black Down. The walk continues to the scenic villages of Fernhurst and then Henley with their respective pubs, the latter halfway up another steep ascent to Verdleyhill. Finally, it passes Easebourne village and priory and enters Midhurst via Cowdray Park with its polo fields, then past the ruined Cowdray Castle by the River Rother. This walk is the northerly section of the Midhurst Way , which has been created by John Trueman, local to the area and a passionate advocate of outdoor pursuits. It runs between Arundel and Haslemere. The southerly section Arundel to Midhurst is available as a separate SWC Walk.

 

Walk Options:

For a shortcut , Bus Line 70 also stops along the route in: Fernhurst, Henley (above the village on the A-road) and Easebourne (350m off-route on the A286). 

For an Extension, choose a longer route through the peaceful woods west of Marley Heights. This adds 2.3 km and 57m ascent/descent. 

In Midhurst, go straight to the Bus Station from the Rother crossing, instead of going up through the town (cut 700m).

Elevenses/Lunch: The Fernhurst Hub (5.8 km/3.6 mi), The Red Lion in Fernhurst (6.2 km/3.8 mi, food to 14.30), The Fern at the Pavilion in Fernhurst (6.2 km/3.8 mi, food to 14.30) or The Duke of Cumberland Arms in Henley (9.7 km/6.1 mi, food to 14.30). 

Tea: lots of choice in Easebourne and Midhurst, check the pdf for details; recommended are Cowdray Farm Shop & Cafe (2.0 km from the end, open to 18.00), Garton’s Coffee House, The Wheatsheaf and Fitzcane’s Café.

 

For summary, map, height profile, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.218