Lord Tennyson’s Temple of the winds and the Serpents Trail

South Downs, Black Down, the Serpent trail and Temple of the winds

This walk within the northern edges of the south downs national park and in the Sussex Weald takes along the Serpent Trail through the beautiful heathland and woodlands of West Sussex.
From Haslemere, we pick up the Sussex border path Marley Common,
a mixed broadleaf and Chestnut woodland and open heath which is grazed by belted Galloway cattle. This is one of the National Trust’s oldest countryside acquisitions.

Heading south to Marley Heights we walk to the village of Fernhurst where Bertrand Russell the British Philosopher wrote some of his works and weave our way to Reeth where a steep climb takes us to the Temple of the Winds viewpoint, and stunning views towards the South Downs and on a clear day as far as the English Channel.
We continue up to the trig point on Black Down which at 280m South Downs National Park.

Black Down has strong literary associations with the poet Alfred Tennyson. who in 1869 purchased Black Down, and built Aldworth house a French-style Gothic house built of local sandstone to use as a summer residence. we descend past Aldworth House past to the pretty market town of Haslemere, where you can take the train back home or join us for a well-earned beer and some food.

MEETING TIME: 08:50 London Waterloo Railway station underneath the main clock. I will have a meetup sign. We will be taking the 09.20 train from London Waterloo arriving in Haslemere at 10.51 journey time 1 hr 31 mins. Walk finishes approx 16:30

COST: organiser fee £8 on RSVP.

Train Fare is not included, buy on the day £15.30pp group saver, please bring the correct cash and arrive prompt to be included in group tickets.

GRADE: Beginner/Intermediate, on rough tracks with some steep hills. 19km 12miles 6hrs hiking 600m ascent.

What to bring: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FLjSAczjgbZ26OKE4Iy_zX2IFqkybdXCmK9AkVfqI1w/edit?usp=sharing

Terms and conditions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XSic4Aj9VJguTQuiWrTd6I1A-EmvmQCqCHggB0omlX8/edit?usp=sharing

To view our full calendar: https://www.meetup.com/GO-London/events/

Contact: [email protected] – 07968585224

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GoLondonAdventure/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoLondonHiking/

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