Rowlands Castle Circular

17 May. After a chilly start the weather remained perfect for this eleven mile walk on the South Downs. We were joined by ten walkers and, after a short uphill slope, we set out at a brisk pace on the first long flat section towards the distant Stanstead House along the Monarch’s Way. Requests for a slower pace was heeded and we continued along the gentle uphill drive and onwards along the lane flanked by fields and woodland until we reached Walderton. Here we noted that the River Ems, which is a chalk stream, had completely dried up since the recce a month previously. Although this stream is classified as a ‘winterbourne’ there has been concern about falling water levels in recent years due to increased abstraction by water companies.

Heading past the currently closed pub we continued our walk uphill through fields above the village and then down a steepish path to take a welcome drink stop at the popular Hare and Hounds pub in Stoughton. What comes down must go up to rejoin the route, so we headed back up the shady path and onto the top of a further hill for our picnic lunch break with distant views south to Chichester Harbour.

Christ Church, Forestside

We followed the path westwards until reaching Watergate Hanger, a steep climb besides a former quarry, now wooded, through Broadreed Farm and around the edge of woodland to reach Forestside, where we rested at Christ Church.

The last section of the walk took us past stables and horse paddocks and through Stanstead Forest where there were a few bluebells remaining. On entering the very last field we noted the warning of a bull and calves within, and advice to avoid them…then as we set off on the footpath, they were spotted trundling along it towards us. Stopped in our tracks, we swiftly headed up hill to be above them. A couple of horned steers were spotted running towards the others, and we hoped they wouldn’t change course. However, they all disappeared around the hill with clearly no interest in us, though it was probably best to have given them a wide berth.

Safely out of the cattle field, we arrived back in Rowlands Castle with most of the group having time for a drink stop at the local pub before catching the next direct train to London.

Linda and Chris, with thanks to Christine M and Sigrid for photos