Battlements and Implements - a Horticultural Constitutional

The usual villages of Amberley, Slindon and Bosham aren't opening their gardens this year, so I've had to cast further afield to come up with a quintessentially English and enchanting way of spending a summer afternoon. I've alighted upon the handsome Hampshire village of Crondall where twelve of its gorgeous gardens are open in aid of a local hospice. The Open Gardens website says: 'visit some of the best-hidden gardens in the village of Crondall, with plant sales, teas and the 'Blooming Marvellous' summer-themed bric-a-brac stalls.' On this walk we'll follow ancient tree-lined tracks and admire the best of Farnham's Georgian townscape and the view from the castle.

The plan and route (please click the link in red to see the route at the Ordnance Survey website):

Walking through the centre of Farnham and up The Borough, we'll have a quick look at the Castle, then we'll head north and west along the St Swithun's Way and use footpaths to Dora's Green and Crondall. We'll reach Crondall at 13:00 when we can have lunch, perhaps at The Plume of Feathers or The Hampshire Arms if we've booked. The gardens open at 14:00 and close at 18:00, but at 17:00 we'll muster for the return walk to Farnham. We'll then follow footpaths south and east to Dippenhall, then Farnham, walking past the church and back to the station. We won't go around the gardens in Crondall in a group but split up, so you're welcome to go wherever and with whomever you wish.

The sights:

Farnham Castle: Built in 1138 by Henri of Blois and the home of the Bishops of Winchester for over 800 years. Demolished then rebuilt in the late C12 and early C13 as a massive shell keep on the foundations of a Norman tower. In the early C15 it was the residence of Cardinal Henry Beaufort. Since then more buildings were constructed in the grounds, the most impressive being those built by Bishop George Morley in the C17. The castle is free to enter and set in five acres of parkland and gardens. Positioned on a bluff, it gives fine views over Farnham and the Wey Valley.

Farnham: A fine town, still Georgian in spirit despite old cottages, neo-Georgian housing and C19 timber and tile. West Street, Castle Street, The Borough and Downing Street are most famous pieces of Georgian townscape. In these, elegant carved brickwork is put to use in columns and capitals and garlands and urns. St Andrew's Church is big and bulky C15 but heavily Victorianized. The west tower is impressive.

Crondall: A large and attractive village originally grouped around a green. Tudor architecture abounds (such as The Plume of Feathers pub in which Cromwell stayed before the siege of Basing House in 1645), as does Georgian architecture. 

All Saint's Church, Crondall: For Simon Jenkins, two stars in England's Thousand Best Churches. The high brick tower is a rarity, built in the last days of the Commonwealth in 1659. The body of the church is Norman, C12 and C13. Clerestoried (high-windowed) nave and vaulted chancel. Fine monuments and brasses inside. Parliamentarian forces camped in the churchyard. In the churchyard, don't miss the fine memorial of a youthful and handsome St Michael from 1913.

Dippenhall: Nine houses built by Arts & Crafts revival architect Harold Falkner between 1921 and 1963. Several incorporate genuine timber-framed buildings salvaged from elsewhere.

Dogs:

I welcome dogs on my walks but this is not a good walk for them as they will either not be permitted in the gardens or will need to go on leads in them.

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(Image credits: Bishop's Palace Gardens by Len Williams: Photo © Len Williams (cc-by-sa/2.0); Castle Hill: Photo © Richard Croft (cc-by-sa/2.0); Castle Street: Photo © Richard Croft (cc-by-sa/2.0); Palace Gardens: Photo © Bill Nicholls (cc-by-sa/2.0); Palace from the Keep: Photo © Bill Nicholls (cc-by-sa/2.0); The Tudor Building: Photo © Bill Nicholls (cc-by-sa/2.0); Track to Middle Old Park: Photo © Robin Webster (cc-by-sa/2.0); 8-12, The Borough: Photo © Oast House Archive (cc-by-sa/2.0); Cottage garden on Well Road, Crondall: Photo © David Howard (cc-by-sa/2.0); Countryside near Dippenhall: Photo © Alan Hunt (cc-by-sa/2.0); St Andrew's Church, Farnham: Photo © Derek Harper (cc-by-sa/2.0) All images are hereby attruibuted to their copyright holders and are licensed for reuse under Creative Commons CC-BY SA 2.0). All other photos were taken by the leader and OutdoorLads has permission to reuse them.)