Wild garlic

Sat 16th May 2015

Walk Details:

Event Details Updated
Note slightly changed departure time from Petersfield station (0935 vs 0930) and lunch arrangements.
Event Type
Group Walk
Region
Southern England
Local Group
London
Distance
20ml.
Start Time
09.35
Route
Meet Petersfield Stn (If driving, postcode is GU32 3EE. There is a pay car park at Station.)

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A 20-mile circular route via the Hangers Way, Buriton, Butser Ancient Farm, Windmill Hill, Blendworth, Finchdean, St Huberts Chapel, Ladyholt, the Milky Way, aiming to be back at Petersfield by 1800 (Waterloo by 1930)

General Notes
Pace: quick. No dogs ~ IMPORTANT – Bring your own food for lunch as no food will be available at The George, Finchdean – we shall stop briefly at M&S, Petersfield to buy sandwiches for lunch. Best laid plans …. ! ~ Come for a mid-morning stop at the QEVC which will include tea, coffee and cake, and, later, see the medieval wall paintings in St Huberts, part of which dates from before 1050. ~ The ground was dry and passable in light trainers during the recce on Saturday 9 May but conditions may change. Although noted as a walk at a quick pace, the pace on the day will depend on the weather and the abilities of the Group.
Start and Finish

Entry Details:

Cost

Walk Report

Wild Garlic, Saturday 16th May 2015
21 walkers, 21 miles - leader Roderick Smith
A group of 21 met at Petersfield Station at 09.30 on Saturday 16 May. We walked through the town stopping briefly at M&S for lunchtime sandwiches; via The Avenue to The Lake before returning to The Hangers Way to Buriton. We stopped beside the Church with its Bonham-Carter memorials and a timelessly tranquil village pond, before climbing steeply through the old chalkpits and on to yummy light refreshments at the Queen Elizabeth Visitor Centre.
Passing Butser Ancient Farm, we climbed in hot sunshine to the top of Windmill Hill, and, continuing south, enjoyed far-reaching views to Boniface Down more than 20 miles away on the Isle of Wight. After Blendworth Farm we turned east to Finchdean for a picnic lunch in the centre of the hamlet. The George pub was very busy hosting the owners of 100 high-powered Mercedes AMG cars.
After lunch and past South Holt Farm we entered woodland with several acres of wild garlic in full flower before reaching the isolated St Hubert's Chapel, Idsworth. We saw the Chapel's medieval wall paintings, and continued north to Huckswood Lane and east along Cowdown Lane. The grand-sounding but rather less-imposing Ladyholt Park preceded a steep climb out of a bucolic valley up to Ditcham Park School. From Coulters Dean Farm we descended the Milky Way through more wild garlic and back to Buriton.
We returned along country paths to The Lake, arriving at the station by 17.40 after more than 21 miles in 8 hours. A great day out in superb weather enjoyed by members and friends of many nationalities from London and Wessex Groups.
Photographs by Roderick Smith and Bola Baruwa

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