My walk today started just over the border in West Sussex – the county where I grew up before coming to Oxfordshire for college. I parked behind the shops at Fernhurst in a free car park – thank you Chichester District Council. After a short walk through the village I turned left down towards Hawksford Farm which I think may well have been a stud farm or similar. Although this area is much more Sandy and moorland like than my part of Oxfordshire the proximity to the South Downs is very similar to the Ridgeway and horses seem to occur regularly in both areas!
My route continued southward alongside a stream, across open land and through woods. A great mix of trees. It has been documented before that I’m not particularly fond of walking through fields with horses so not too enthusiastic on crossing an open space to see two horses by the exit corner. I’m in luck though someone is with them – he helpfully tries to move them away only to have the effect that they are now bucking and cajoling each other – but far enough away that I managed to exit the field! !
Along a small track and I need to cross the A286, the path skirts the other side of this far enough away to hear but not see vehicles. After a steep climb out onto the road edge it’s back across and up a track where there has been extensive deforestation / management. Looking back I suspect this is Blackdown in the distance – Walk 2.
The path climbs up quite steeply and I emerge on the top of the escarpment. Across more open land until I find another track which eventually leads to the view point over Woolbeding Common. For the last few kilometres I have been following the Serpent Way.
As I look out from the view point I’m reminded about Walk 3 from Woolbeding Bridge and along the River Rother and my visit to Woolbeding Gardens the same afternoon.
Another memory from much longer ago is evoked as I look out. A fifteen / sixteen year old me camping at Stedham which is down in the valley below, with my Guide Company. One night we had the most almighty thunder and lightning and being in charge of a patrol of hysterical younger girls was not much fun. Probably not a logical thought but I remember trying to move away from the pole in our large Icelandic tent just in case the lightning struck the metal at the top! I also remembering advising one person that no this was not a good time to go to the lat tents!! We did walk to the top of a hill at dawn – we were all awake – and watched as the storm continued to circulate.
Trying to find the summit of Older Hill proved difficult and boggy. I was very close to the top but really not sure where the top actually was! Having taken a somewhat circular route in this area my path then started going eastward – back on Serpents Way.
At a major intersection I met a fellow Walker and he asked if I was on the ‘ New Lipchis Way’, I explained that I wasn’t and showed him my route. I had been using the 1:25000 version in my app. Looking later at the 1:5000 version it appears I had been following it and was about to head that way.
Rather randomly whilst talking to him I discovered he lived in the road in Petworth where I had grown up from the age of 7 ( originally all police houses) and that he had know my dad.
My route continued through the wood having turned north as I wanted to go passed the end of Furnace Pond. This path was close to a stream and was very wet and slippery with some steep down hill sections – the walking pole I had been carrying came in useful at last. Amazing suction some of that sandy mud has!
As I appeared onto a metalled path and turned right for a short while before meeting a junction of paths, my luck slightly ran out – the route I needed had two horses right by the style. Deep breath and went for it – only about six horses in this field – taken from a safe distance.
Through the wood again and just before the pond my way was barred by Harris Fencing. Instead of the tranquility and bird song if the woods there were diggers, piles of mud and sounds of. Machinery. Not much chance of seeing any deer – I ‘d found lots of prints in this part of the wood.
The pond is significant as it forms part of the site of Fernhurst Foundry which produces iron for armoury in the 17th and 18th century. It is a scheduled site and is currently undergoing some maintenance work. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1021403
I was left with no choice but to take an alternative path which would take me back to Fernhurst but not really the way I wanted to go. I set off and then found an temporary arrow indicating a permitted path – I realised this was the alternative route I had been told about. A temporary bridge over the stream and eventually back on my original path choice – pity I had wanted to look at the pond again. Another time!
I came out on the main road by some Cottages, possible part off High Building Farm. It was too soon to curtail my walk by just returning to the village so I turned away and along the road to the left before I could cut up north. I started walking parallel to the road and then checking my map realised I could go even higher and back up into the woods again.
Having been walking most of the day in a long sleeved tee shirt I did put my fleece back on but the weather was still splendid and the colour in the trees continued to be a joy. The path eventually joined the minor road from Marley Heights and down passed Van Common – back to the road and a short walk back to the car.
The light was beginning to fade even on this bright day and there was a wonderful reflection of the setting sun on the buildings above the shops as I reached the car park.
Nearly 19.5 kilometres today – lots of up and down, some tricky wet paths, one real bog, several places calling for careful foot placing but a warm glorious day – thoroughly enjoyed.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 
My Grandad lived In Fittleworth, so this all sounds familiar even though I never got to spend a lot of time there. I do remember a mill and of course Stopham bridge. I love to read about rural England. So many years on it still lives in my heart.
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