- Date: 14 August 2024
- Walk Leader: Mandy Ray
- Distance: 10 miles
East Tisted – Ropley – Rotherfield Park
Ten ramblers met in Station Road, East Tisted to begin a ten mile walk that took us across the A32, along the edge of Plash Wood and through Newtonwood Farm.
Passing Swellinghill pond we made our way to Old Down Wood (where we saw what looked like a fairy’s house) and joined St Swithun’s Way, which lead us through fields of sheep and some challenging makeshift gates made from sheep pens!
Having overcome the obstacles, the group headed to St Peter’s church in Ropley where we had lunch. In 2014 the church was almost destroyed by fire but has since been restored in a contemporary style and now provides a community hub for the village.
The route took us through many fields of barley and wheat, past Lyewood House and on to Charlwood.
Clouds of dust in the distance confirmed combine harvesting was in full swing.
Crossing several fields of stubble, we walked through a meadow full of clover and on to Hawthorn Road and Rotherfield Park estate. Rotherfield Park was originally a medieval hunting park which may have predated a settlement. During the years 1815 – 21 large changes were made to the old estate house with the addition of towers, pinnacles and battlements which we see today.
The land owned by the estate stretches across much of East Hampshire and includes fields in Colemore, Priors Dean, East Tisted and other parishes. With the grand houses on our left, we walked through an avenue of chestnut trees, descended through the park to the gate house and crossed the A32 back to the cars.
Author: Mandy Ray
Photography: Mandy Ray
With additional photography by Rose Field and Claire Anderson