- Date: 11 September 2024
- Walk Leader: Fiona El Hasnaoui
- Distance: 9.5 miles (approx.)
Oakhanger-East Worldham-Wyck-Kingsley
On a beautifully sunny, fresh morning, 17 Ramblers met at Shortheath Pond. There had been a large amount of rain in the preceding days which led to a very large pool of water to navigate on the first stretch of the walk – despite some logs put down to make a little ‘bridge’ it took a while to get all 17 through it, but we thankfully all emerged unscathed! The walk then progressed across to Oakhanger village with its attractive church.
Continuing on the path, we could see to our left the white domes of RAF Oakhanger – level paths went past a beautiful field of sunflowers nodding their heads to the sun. After crossing the ancient woodland of Binswood, we traversed a field with large polytunnels for growing vegetables. Further woodland led us up to the ponds below Smith’s Farm and to the side of King John’s Hill. It is thought this hill was an Iron Age settlement site and is also where King John had a hunting lodge in the 12th Century.
We took the opportunity to stop for coffee overlooking the hill and ponds and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful view and the sun on our faces, aware of impending Autumn and the colder days to come.
After our break, we crossed the road and up some steps towards St Mary the Virgin Church at East Worldham, where many took the opportunity to take a peek inside the church, where there is a 14th century female effigy believed to be of Philippa, wife of Geoffrey Chaucer (their son was Lord of the Manor in the early 15th Century and Ranger of Woolmer and Alice Holt Forests).
Carrying on across fields of what looked like burnt bean pods (but suspect it may have been fungus caused by heavy rainfall), we emerged near the Hangers Way and turned right up towards several fields, which eventually emerged in the small hamlet of Wyck. We passed through the gates of what is now Wyck Place (which was the site of a Roman villa and bath house but is now a private home) and along the perimeter wall past woodland.
After walking down a lane of interesting houses, we emerged to a glorious view to our right. Fields of corn led us to a fairly steep set of downward steps which were navigated slowly with poles.
Passing through a set of farm buildings, we emerged on a lane with a couple of beautiful old properties and stopped for lunch on what turned out to be part of the grounds of one of the houses (although it wasn’t at all obvious!) Fortunately, we had almost finished eating before the owner came out and told us!
A series of very open fields with crop stubble and more lovely views across the valley brought us to an even steeper set of downward steps, again navigated carefully. Traversing fields, we emerged next to a lovely old apple orchard ripe with fruits which seemed to be hanging there waiting to be picked! Straight on down, we came to a farm with alpacas and sheep grazing on the juicy grass.
On over the now dismantled railway, and down a lane, we passed a field with some very large gazebos erected…interested in what these were for, we were told there was soon due to be a meeting of Ahmadi Muslims.
It wasn’t too long before we emerged at Kingsley Pond with its beautiful lily pads. After continuing across Kingsley Common, it was decided that the section around the quarry was far too overgrown to tackle, and so we continued very briefly on to the road and up across Shortheath Common back to the car park.
Author: Fiona El Hasnaoui
Photography: Fiona El Hasnaoui, Rose Field, Claire Anderson and Clare McCullough
Note: The photo of the gates at Wyck Place was taken from the internet.