- Date: 9 July 2025
- Walk Leader: Fiona
- Distance: 8 miles approx.
Fernhurst to Lurgashall circular
It was a hot and sunny day for our walk from Fernhurst but thankfully the walk was broken up with stretches of cool woodland which eased things quite considerably.
Setting off from St Margaret’s Church, we crossed the green and headed up lanes and past cornfields towards Lower House Farm. Just past the farm, there were a couple of ponds with masses of waterlilies (almost, but not quite, a scene from a Monet painting!) Some of our party spotted some interesting molluscs in the water but we suspected they may not have been naturally occurring.
Trekking alongside what looked like several horse enclosures and along grassy paths, we passed a vineyard, and then through cool woodland and past an abundant apple orchard, we emerged on to the picturesque Lurgashall village green, where we sat and drank coffee under a big tree overlooking the green. One of our number showed us a very amusing inscription under a tree on the green about a dog called Chudleigh and his antics! He was obviously very beloved by all the locals.
Heading on up the lane and past another beautiful pond, we passed through a dark tunnelled path which emerged on to a field full of yellow ragwort, being munched on by Cinnebar moth caterpillars. We stopped to stroke two small ponies and then continued through several gates and stiles and across fields to eventually head up the field towards Hobstevens Farm. Crossing the road to Quell Road, we reached Quell Common, and after ascending through an overgrown path of ferns and brambles, and passing a pig enclosure where we stopped to admire 3 little porkers, we reached the top where we were afforded a stunning view across the valley. There was a beautiful willow sculpture of a mother horse with its baby foal in one of the fields. We climbed a steep road past Blackdown House (part of the Weyborne Estate) and stopped for lunch in various spots of shade overlooking the expansive view.
The final section of the walk descended through woodland and back to Fernhurst Green. My thanks to everyone who turned up on this hot day!
Author: Fiona El Hasnaoui
Photography: Claire Anderson, David Roberts and Fiona El Hasnaoui