Length: 23km (14m)
Toughness: 8 / 10
Transport: Take the 9:30 train from London Waterloo to Haslemere, arriving at 10:20. Return from Midhurst to Haslemere by bus No 70 at 18:10 or 19:15 (last bus!). Return trains from Haslemere at xx:00, xx:32, xx:37.
Haslemere to Midhurst via Henley Walk
The Temple of the Winds on Black Down & lunch in idyllic hamlet with fine pub and evocative ruins of a fortified Tudor house on Cowdray Estate against the backdrop of the South Downs
History
This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.
| Date | Option | Post | # | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 31-Aug-24 | Haslemere to Midhurst via Henley | 8 | ||
| Sat, 23-Sep-23 | Haslemere to Midhurst via Temple of the Winds and Henley | 7 | Sunny gentle breeze | |
| Sat, 05-Aug-23 | Haslemere to Midhurst via Henley | |||
| Sat, 08-May-21 | Haslemere to Midhurst via Henley | 10 | Rain more or less over by 11 | |
| Sat, 13-Apr-19 | Haslemere to Midhurst via Temple of the Winds and the tiny hamlet of Henley | 15 | mostly sunny skies with a cool breeze at times | |
| Sat, 16-Feb-19 | Haslemere to Midhurst via Henley | 8 | fog | |
| Wed, 14-Nov-18 | c | Haslemere to Midhurst via Temple of the Winds & Henley (Short Version) | 13 | sunny |
| Wed, 31-May-17 | c | Haslemere to Midhurst via Temple of the Winds & Henley (Short Version) | 14 | warm and sunny |
| Sat, 07-May-16 | Saturday Second Walk -- New Walk 263: Haslemere to Midhurst | 31 | hot sun |
Saturday 31-Aug-24
t=SWC.263
-
Sat, 31-Aug-24
8 on this fine walk. One newish person soon dropped behind, but reconnected later in the walk. 5 had lunch at the (expensive) pub in the not quite warm enough garden. Food arrived quickly though. We didn't see the 2 picnic people again. Tea at Cowdray. The path down to the town from the castle hill is closed at the moment for safety reasons, requiring longer diversion. There is an attractive looking cafe /bar just before the bus station. Got the 1837,as the bus arrives as the 1832 is leaving.
Saturday 23-Sep-23
Stargazer is away
Length: 22.6 km (14.1 mi) [with shortcut options, check the webpage or pdf]
Ascent/Descent: 438/555m
Net Walking Time: 5 ½ hours
Toughness: 6/10
Take the 09.00 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (09.25 Woking, 09.33 G’ford), arrives Haslemere 09.53. From Clapham J, take the 08.57 Frome service and change at Woking (09.15/09.25).
Return to Haslemere from Midhurst by bus number 70 (16.05, 17.05, 18.10 and 19.15, journey time 25 mins).
Return trains from Haslemere are on xx.01, xx.10, xx.30, journey time from 52 mins.
From the medieval town well in Haslemere to the stocks and pillory in Midhurst, this walk is an epic journey partially in the footsteps of a poet. It gently climbs the highest point in Sussex (the Black Down), and then drops steeply to traverse a valley along a roller coaster of a path through some light woods before entering more thickly planted pine forests, allegedly haunted by the ghost of the last wild bear killed in England.
After lunch in the idyllic hamlet of Henley at a pub boasting views back to the Temple of the Winds, the route again gently climbs a second hill offering stunning views back across your journey of the morning before a long descent into Midhurst across the Cowdray Estate with the mighty South Downs ahead, passing by the intriguing ruins of Cowdray House en route where various historic figures of note were either voluntary visitors or held captive prior to execution.
Lunch : The Duke of Cumberland Arms in Henley (13.2 km/8.2 mi, food to 14.30), or Banyan Indian Restaurant a little earlier on a 1 km diversion (11.9 km/7.4 mi, food to 15.00).
Tea: lots of choice in Midhurst (see the pdf for details), recommended are Cowdray Farm Shop & Cafe (2 km from the end), Garton’s Coffee House, The Swan Inn, The Spread Eagle Hotel, The Crafty Pint, The Bricklayers Arms, The Wheatsheaf and Fitzcane’s.
For summary, map, height profile, some photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.263
-
Wed, 27-Sep-23
#7, # Sunny gentle breeze Five on the train doing the full walk and two by car taking a well timed short cut to meet the main group at the Temple of the Winds. Blackdown was magnificent with the rhododendrons flowering for a second time this year. The sky was clear with views over Hampshire and Sussex with the sea sparkling in the distance (30 km ) at Shoreham by Sea. Two of us had an excellent lunch at the Duke of Cumberland and the others joined us in the very charming garden for a drink. Having done 8 miles we got the bus back to Haslemere while the main body went on to Midhurst.
Saturday 05-Aug-23
t=SWC.263
Length: 22.6km / 14m
Toughness: 8 / 10
Transport: Take the 9:00 train from London Waterloo arriving in Haslemere at 9:53. The return journey requires a bus (70) from Midhurst back to Haslemere: 17:05, 18:10 and the last one at 19:15. Return trains from Haslemere are at xx:01, xx:10 and xx:30.
This is a great walk passing the Temple of the Winds at the escarpment of the Black Downs, a cozy pub at Henley and finally arriving at the evocative ruins of the fortified Tudor manor house in Cowdray estate. There are fine views through the walk.
Saturday 08-May-21
Stargazer
SWC 263: Haslemere to Midhurst via Temple of the Winds and the tiny hamlet of Henle
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 9:30 Portsmouth Harbor train from London Waterloo to Haslemere , arriving at 10:20. The return journey requires taking a 70 bus from the Midhurst Bus Terminal to Haslemere station (20 minutes) – buses run at 17:05; 18:05 and 19:10 and return trains to Waterloo from Haslemere are frequent (02; 14 and 30 past the hour). Buy a day return to Haslemere.
First off, apologies for the bait and switch. I was very much looking forward to a Rowlands Castle extravaganza and had been hoping the forecast would improve….However, it is still looking like a potentially very soggy day for being on such an exposed walk. So, thought this little gem might make for a reasonable (and less exposed) back-up….combining some of the best features of the route 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 and its evocative house ruins. The walk instructions and more details are available here . For those wishing to avoid a bus, it would be possible to switch to walk 218 (Midhurst Way – Midhurst to Haslemere direction direction) at Henley and walk back to Haslemere (about 15 miles).
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 2:30PM. An 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. Please call ahead to confirm availability or bring a picnic!
The recommended tea stop is the Cowdray Farm Shop and Café – open until 5:00pm. Midhurst also has a several options for post walk libations.
It is expected to walk in groups of no more than six and provide contact details. To facilitate the collection of contact details, please pre-register for this walk on the "events" page at https://www.lwug.co.uk/ . You will need to first sign-on and possibly register if you have not previously registered on the site.
If you test positive for COVID within a week of attending this walk, please contact me by emailing { remove the AAA} AAAcovid@lwug.co.uk , a private dedicated COVID reporting email address.
Enjoy the walk!
-
Sun, 09-May-21
10 Rain more or less over by 11 . Surrey at its bright spring green best, rather overcast on Blackdown where the car drivers met up with the main group. We got a table at the Scarlet Arms without reservation but no food as it was "too slippery to carry the food down to where we were sitting". Two walkers visited the Kings Arms en route which was closed so no beer or food there. It was a longish morning and with my better half a bit tired from her Kings Arms diversion we got the bus back from Henley.
-
Mon, 10-May-21
Just to supplement the earlier report -- our "aperitif" was at the Duke of Cumberland -- recommended to pre-book for lunch....After eating our lunches outside the pub, most of the group walked on to Midhurst in much drier conditions with the views of the South Downs becoming clearer. All walked the long route and arrived at the Cowdray Estate just in time for a tea stop at the outdoor cafe before the final stretch to Midhurst and the 18:05 bus back to Haslemere where the new train/bus schedule requires a bit of a sprint from bus to train....
Saturday 13-Apr-19
SWC 263: Haslemere to Midhurst via Temple of the Winds and the tiny hamlet of Henley T=SWC.263
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 9:30 Portsmouth Harbor train from London Waterloo to Haslemere, arriving at 10:21. The return journey requires taking a 70 bus from the Midhurst Bus Terminal to Haslemere station (20 minutes) – buses run at 17:05; 18:05 and 19:10 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.
I appreciate that this walk was only posted in February….but in fog with low numbers ….can’t guarantee the weather will be better…but April is a much more suitable time for this little gem….combining some of the best features of the route 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 and 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 2:30PM. A booking has been made at 1:30. An alternate pub, the Kings Arms (tel 01428 641 165), which also 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. Midhurst also has a several options for post walk libations.
Enjoy the walk!
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 9:30 Portsmouth Harbor train from London Waterloo to Haslemere, arriving at 10:21. The return journey requires taking a 70 bus from the Midhurst Bus Terminal to Haslemere station (20 minutes) – buses run at 17:05; 18:05 and 19:10 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.
I appreciate that this walk was only posted in February….but in fog with low numbers ….can’t guarantee the weather will be better…but April is a much more suitable time for this little gem….combining some of the best features of the route 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 and 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 2:30PM. A booking has been made at 1:30. An alternate pub, the Kings Arms (tel 01428 641 165), which also 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. Midhurst also has a several options for post walk libations.
Enjoy the walk!
-
Mon, 08-Apr-19
You may come across some protests outside the Cowdray Farm Shop. Locals are upset about Lord C's proposal that 70 hectares of woodland on his estate (in the South Downs National Park) should be the site of two new sand quarries.
This walk wouldn't be directly affected if the scheme went ahead (the woodland is to the west of Midhurst), but there'd be a lot of additional lorry traffic and noise through the village.
-
Sun, 14-Apr-19
Both the weather and the season of year were much improved since the last posting of this varied route between Haslemere and Midhurst, with a total of 15 (including 1 late starter) under mostly sunny skies with a cool breeze at times . At this time of year, the route passes though a number of small woods with good (but not ostentatious) displays of wood anemones, celandines and bluebells (a perfect spring trifecta of white, yellow and blue). With some rotational seating, the 9 lunchers managed to make the most of our booking for 6.....at the chaotically busy Duke of Cumberland...as it took a while to place our order (though once ordered the food came fairly promptly in good portions), the sandwichers moved on ahead of us...we caught them briefly at the Cowdray Café...leaving as we arrived (nothing personal, I hope)....the later group enjoyed G&Ts, tea, coffee and cakes in the outside in the sunshine watching a dark cloud approach....We experienced a light shower on the final approach to Midhurst and grabbed a swift half before catching the 18:05 with some supplies for further refreshment on the train back to London...
Saturday 16-Feb-19
Walker
Length: 22.6km (14.1 miles), but reducible with shortcuts to 19.3km (12 miles) or even less: see ** below.
Toughness: 8 out of 10
9.30 train from Waterloo to Haslemere, arriving 10.25
From Clapham Junction, get your old friend the 9.29 (Exeter-bound) train to Woking, changing there (arrive 9.47, depart 10.02) for the above train.
Buy a day return to Haslemere. T=3.263
For walk directions click here. For GPX click here. For the walk home page click here.
There are three different versions of this walk, but this one is generally considered to be the best. It has become a firm favourite of the midweek walkers but has not had a Saturday outing since 2016.
** Don't be too put off by the advertised length: perfectly good short options are available to reduce the walk to 12 miles, and in fact it can be shorter than that because a direct path from the ruins of Cowdray House to the bus stop (see paragraph 62) shaves off a loop of the walk into the town of Midhurst (charming though this is if you have the time/energy/daylight). Lastly but not leastly, everything after the Cowdray Estate Farm Shop Cafe is on easy tracks and can be done with no trouble in the dark or (if the skies are clear) near full moonlight.
The morning short cut, albeit that it is only slightly shorter, comes with my recommendation as it has magnificent views from the top of Black Down. It and the main route come together at the Temple of the Winds, with its awesome southern panoramas - like being in a spaceship.
For lunch the desirable choice is the Duke of Cumberland pub in Henley (not the River Thames Henley, by the way: another one) but it tends to be booked up. You are advised not to rely on lunch here unless you have phoned to secure a table, or unless it is a nice enough day to sit outside, when it has a capacious unbooked garden (though even then check to be sure they will be serving food outside).
Otherwise a 1km diversion brings you to the Kings Arms, a perfectly adequate pub, 7.7 miles into the walk, or 7.4 miles via the morning short cut.
In the afternoon you cross a smallish ridge, with more nice views and then there is a choice of a direct descent into Midhurst, saving 1.8 miles, or a longer route, apparently more scenic (I have always opted for the short cut!).
A factor in deciding which afternoon route to take is that you want if possible to get to the gorgeous Cowdray Estate Farm Shop Cafe, a bit before the end of the walk for a truly scrumptious tea. It closes at 5pm.
At the end of the walk you have to get a number 70 bus (ultimate destination Guildford) back to Haslemere: these go at 16.05, 17.05, 18.05 and 19.10 (last bus).
Trains back from Haslemere are at 02 and 32 past ONLY today (slightly reduced service). The bus gets to Haslemere station, the stop before the town centre, at 30 past (35 past in the case of the 19.10), so you will need to be very quick to make the 32 past train even if the bus is on time. But if you miss a train there is a very cosy pub opposite the station to wait for the next one.
Toughness: 8 out of 10
9.30 train from Waterloo to Haslemere, arriving 10.25
From Clapham Junction, get your old friend the 9.29 (Exeter-bound) train to Woking, changing there (arrive 9.47, depart 10.02) for the above train.
Buy a day return to Haslemere. T=3.263
For walk directions click here. For GPX click here. For the walk home page click here.
There are three different versions of this walk, but this one is generally considered to be the best. It has become a firm favourite of the midweek walkers but has not had a Saturday outing since 2016.
** Don't be too put off by the advertised length: perfectly good short options are available to reduce the walk to 12 miles, and in fact it can be shorter than that because a direct path from the ruins of Cowdray House to the bus stop (see paragraph 62) shaves off a loop of the walk into the town of Midhurst (charming though this is if you have the time/energy/daylight). Lastly but not leastly, everything after the Cowdray Estate Farm Shop Cafe is on easy tracks and can be done with no trouble in the dark or (if the skies are clear) near full moonlight.
The morning short cut, albeit that it is only slightly shorter, comes with my recommendation as it has magnificent views from the top of Black Down. It and the main route come together at the Temple of the Winds, with its awesome southern panoramas - like being in a spaceship.
For lunch the desirable choice is the Duke of Cumberland pub in Henley (not the River Thames Henley, by the way: another one) but it tends to be booked up. You are advised not to rely on lunch here unless you have phoned to secure a table, or unless it is a nice enough day to sit outside, when it has a capacious unbooked garden (though even then check to be sure they will be serving food outside).
Otherwise a 1km diversion brings you to the Kings Arms, a perfectly adequate pub, 7.7 miles into the walk, or 7.4 miles via the morning short cut.
In the afternoon you cross a smallish ridge, with more nice views and then there is a choice of a direct descent into Midhurst, saving 1.8 miles, or a longer route, apparently more scenic (I have always opted for the short cut!).
A factor in deciding which afternoon route to take is that you want if possible to get to the gorgeous Cowdray Estate Farm Shop Cafe, a bit before the end of the walk for a truly scrumptious tea. It closes at 5pm.
At the end of the walk you have to get a number 70 bus (ultimate destination Guildford) back to Haslemere: these go at 16.05, 17.05, 18.05 and 19.10 (last bus).
Trains back from Haslemere are at 02 and 32 past ONLY today (slightly reduced service). The bus gets to Haslemere station, the stop before the town centre, at 30 past (35 past in the case of the 19.10), so you will need to be very quick to make the 32 past train even if the bus is on time. But if you miss a train there is a very cosy pub opposite the station to wait for the next one.
-
Appears that there are engineering works and no direct train from Waterloo to Haslemere and have to change at Woking etc. Does not sound attractive may switch to Wye circular. Any advise anyone Walker perhaps? Love to do this walk not done before. If any brave soul is attending this walk I will take a chance.
Monica
-
Fri, 15-Feb-19
The Waterloo-Haslemere-Portsmouth Hbr trains are running as Walker posted. It's only the slower Haslemere services which aren't running from Waterloo, which is why you have to change at Woking if you're travelling from Clapham Jct.
-
Fri, 15-Feb-19
The Duke of Cumberland says it is fully booked and it looks a bit cold to sit outside so I have booked a table for 6 at the Kings Arms at 13:00. I got the impression there is more space available there so perhaps someone could book another table if that seems appropriate at Haslemere Station. Joanna and I plan to start from Marley Common and join you somewhere near Blackdown Farm.
-
Sun, 17-Feb-19
8, fog , Fog most of the day especially on higher ground, views may have been there but we could not see them. Five of us had lunch at the Kings Arms. Welcoming with log fires, friendly staff and good food and beer. Steak and ale pie was excellent. One had lunch at the Duke of Cumberland which squeezed her in despite being fully booked. However £23 for bangers and mash and a glass of wine seems pricey. Cowdray Estate Farm Shop Cafe does a first class cream tea, although a first class price (£8) and running out of scones just after 4.00 pm.
Wednesday 14-Nov-18
Length: 19.3 km (12.0 mi)
Ascent/Descent: approx. 400/514m; Net Walking Time: 4 ¾ - 5 ½ hours
Toughness: 7/10
Take the 10.00 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (10.25 Woking, 10.34 G’ford), arrives Haslemere 10.49. From Clapham J take the 09.52 stopping service (arrives H’mere 10.45).
Return to Haslemere from Midhurst by bus number 70 (xx.05, then 19.10, journey time 25 mins).
Return trains from Haslemere are on xx.02, xx.15, xx.32, journey time from 52 mins.
From the medieval town well in Haslemere to the stocks and pillory in Midhurst, this walk is a journey partially in the footsteps of a poet. It gently climbs the highest point in Sussex (the Black Down), and then drops steeply to traverse a valley along a roller coaster of a path through some light woods before entering more thickly planted pine forests, allegedly haunted by the ghost of the last wild bear killed in England. After lunch in the idyllic hamlet of Henley at a pub boasting views back to the Temple of the Winds, the route again gently climbs a second hill offering stunning views back across your journey of the morning before a long descent into Midhurst across the Cowdray Estate with the mighty South Downs ahead, passing by the intriguing ruins of Cowdray House en route where various historic figures of note were either voluntary visitors or held captive prior to execution.
Note: the last few km may have to be negotiated in darkness, but it’s along car wide gravel tracks through the Cowdray Estate, so shan’t be a problem.
Lunch : The Duke of Cumberland Arms in Henley (12.8 km/8.0 mi, food to 14.30), or The Kings Arms a little earlier on a 1 km diversion (11.9 km/7.4 mi, food to 14.30).
Tea: lots of choice in Midhurst (see the pdf for details), recommended are Cowdray Farm Shop & Cafe (2 km from the end), Garton’s Coffee House , The Wheatsheaf , The Angel Inn , The Olive & Vine and Fitzcane’s.
For summary, map, height profile, some photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.263.c
-
Wed, 14-Nov-18
13 on this walk on a lovely sunny day. A perfect autumn walk on a perfect autumn day. It was only a pity its author could not be with us to enjoy it.
Autumn colour is past its best - the foliage getting thin on the trees, even on some oaks. But there were still plenty of bits and pieces of colour for the sunlight to catch. I even saw a butterfly, though it flew off before I could identify it.
All options for this walk got an airing. Most of the group did the main morning, but two of us did the (only slightly) shorter option with its amazing westward views. The main walkers still got to lunch at the Duke of Cumberland Arms half an hour before us. We did not get there till 2.15, just as the chef was about to go off shift early. But they slipped us in as the last two lunch orders, so thanks for that.
In the afternoon one got a bus back to civilisation to go to an evening event. Two of us did the short afternoon, the rest the main afternoon. All of us enjoyed the sun setting behind the South Downs as we descended to Midhurst. Rather cutely we also all arrived at the Cowdray Estate tea room at more or less the same time. Three of us had tea there: the others went on to wherever they went on to. The tearoomers enjoyed a glorious dusk with a half moon shining in a clear sky as we walked to the bus, taking the short cut direct from Cowdray House. We got the 5.05 bus to Haslemere, had a drink in the very smart Station House pub while we waited out a cancelled train and variously got the 6.02 or 6.15 train home back to the world of signal delays and commuter trains.
-
Thu, 15-Nov-18
3 more took the shortcut,2 leaving the pub earlier got to Midhurst with time for cake, and 1 later, getting the bus in Easeborne. To round off the day we bumped into Marcus at Haslemere station.
Wednesday 31-May-17
Length: 19.3 km (12.0 mi) [longer walk possible]
Ascent/Descent: approx. 600/714m; Net Walking Time: 5 ½ hours
Toughness: 7/10
Note: The above details apply to the shortened walk, walking both the morning and afternoon shortcuts. Consult the pdf for details of the longer versions.
Take the 10.00 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (10.25 Woking, 10.34 G’ford), arrives Haslemere 10.48. From Clapham J take the 09.52 stopping service (arrives H’mere 10.45).
Return to Haslemere from Midhurst either by bus number 70 (roughly hourly, £4.90 fare in 2016, last dep. 19.05) or by taxi.
Return trains from Haslemere are on xx.02 (last at 21.02), xx.15, xx.32 (last at 21.32) and xx.39 (last at 19.39), journey time from 48 to 66 mins.
From the medieval town well in Haslemere to the stocks and pillory in Midhurst, this walk is a journey partially in the footsteps of a poet. It gently climbs the highest point in Sussex (the Black Down), and then drops steeply to traverse a valley along a roller coaster of a path through some light woods before entering more thickly planted pine forests, allegedly haunted by the ghost of the last wild bear killed in England. After lunch in the idyllic hamlet of Henley at a pub boasting views back to the Temple of the Winds, the route again gently climbs a second hill offering stunning views back across your journey of the morning before a long descent into Midhurst across the Cowdray Estate with the mighty South Downs ahead, passing by the intriguing ruins of Cowdray House en route where various historic figures of note were either voluntary visitors or held captive prior to execution.
Lunch : The Duke of Cumberland Arms in Henley (12.8 km/8.0 mi, food to 14.00), or The Kings Arms a little earlier on a 1 km diversion (11.9 km/7.4 mi, food to 14.30).
Tea: lots of choice in Midhurst (see the pdf for details), recommended are Cowdray Farm Shop & Cafe (2 km from the end), Garton’s Coffee House , The Wheatsheaf , The Angel Inn and The Olive & Vine .
For summary, map, height profile, some photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here .T=swc.263.c
Next Week: Stonegate to Battle
Next Week: Stonegate to Battle
-
There is a strong possibility that I will be walking my own " Temple of the Winds " walk tomorrow . this walk takes a totally different route and ends up at Petworth after visiting the semi mystical and Beautiful Black Down favoured by Tennyson and of course by our founder Nicolas Albery If anyone left a rather splendid pair of sunglasses at the pub last week I hope to have them with me.
Jane from Kew
-
Wed, 31-May-17
12 walkers off the posted slow and fast trains, with half each following the shorter and longer morning options. 1 other was ecountered at the Temple of the Winds, having started from Fernhurst, with another walker picked up at the bottom of the descent from Black Down. 14 in total therefore, in warm and sunny weather.
All got to the Duke of Cumberland in time to order food, although some arrived after the official cut-off time of 14.00. Sandwichers and fast eaters then moved on quickly, most walking the short afternoon option, and almost everyone got the 17.00 bus, some after fetching an ice cream from the lovely new Fitzcane's Cafe. Nice.
Saturday 07-May-16
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!
-
Mon, 02-May-16
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
-
Sat, 07-May-16
What a great introduction to the club. Wonderful instructions we didn't need our map at all. See you all soon. Nicky & Tove
-
Sat, 07-May-16
31 on this grand new walk in a day of 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.