For the Fourth Day of Christmas: A Feast in Fernhurst
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The Fourth Day of Christmas was known in the medieval church calendar as the Feast of the Holy Innocents. It was a day of reflection, an interlude in the raucous celebrations that marked the other Twelve Days. For OutdoorLads in 2024, it'll be nothing so sombre, but a chance to expend accumulated calories ascending Sussex's highest hill, Blackdown, before having a pub lunch in Fernhurst. Blackdown needs no introduction: the great whale-backed bluff often features in our walk schedules, and Fernhurst is the most delightful village; its buff stone cottages surround a green. We'll take delight in each other's company, take in the views of the Low Weald, and take stock of 2024.
The sights:
Blackdown: A rugged greensand plateau, 280m high, cared for by the National Trust. It is named after the dark pine trees that cap its summit. Its human history is interesting: Middle-Stone Age (6000BC) people dwelt there; smugglers hid their contraband in caves there; London was alerted to the coming of the Spanish Armada by a beacon there; and in 1967, Iberian Airlines Flight 062 crashed there due to a faulty altimeter reading; Alfred, Lord Tennyson, lived there at Aldworth House; and from 1796 to 1816 the navy had a shutter telegraph station there.
Low Weald: "The wooded and watery Low Weald...is a low-lying gently undulating landscape of clay vales and gentle ridges of limestone and sandstone. The landscape is small-scale, intimate and tranquil with a medieval pattern of small irregular pasture fields enclosed by a strong network of shaws [thickets] and tall, thick, species-rich hedgerows." (West Sussex Landscape: The Low Weald Character Area).
Fernhurst: A stone and tile-hung village in West Sussex, near the border with Surrey. To the west of the A286 it is modern and suburban; to the east of it it is ancient and characterful, with cottages and a handsome early C18 house, The White House, around a small village green. We'll have lunch at the Grade II-listed Red Lion Inn.
The route (please check this at the OS website to see the elevations):
We'll head southeast through Haslemere through Shepherd's Hill and Haste Hill to pick up Chase Lane which will take us along Tennyson's Lane and Pen-Y-Bos track to Blackdown's plateau. After breaking at The Temple of the Winds, we'll descend to Fernden Lane, cross it and take a footpath across Reeth Copse to Fernhurst. After lunch at the pub, we'll follow Old Glebe north, then a footpath, then Copyhold Lane, then a footpath again back to Fernden Lane, which we'll walk north along. Before long we'll take a footpath to Belle Vue Lane then a byway to Scotland Lane. We'll then be in the suburbs of Haslemere, and a quick walk through them will return us to the station.
Dogs:
I love having dogs on my walks and this walk is very suitable for them although there will be considerable lane walking and some fields with livestock. A dog off the lead must be obedient.
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
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(The first two pictures were taken by the leader in November 2021. OutdoorLads is welcome to reuse them. The other pictures are: Diverging paths: Photo © Chris Thomas-Atkin (cc-by-sa/2.0); Tennyson’s Lane: Photo © Chris Thomas-Atkin (cc-by-sa/2.0); Footpath to Blackdown Photo © Chris Thomas-Atkin (cc-by-sa/2.0); The Red Lion: Photo © N Chadwick (cc-by-sa/2.0); Bell House: Photo © N Chadwick (cc-by-sa/2.0); Fernhurst Green: Photo © Robin Webster (cc-by-sa/2.0); Valewood Park: Photo © Colin Smith (cc-by-sa/2.0). All photos are copyrighted but are above credited to their copyright holders and are licensed for further reuse under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) .)
What to bring
Walking boots and thick socks will be essential to cope with the ascending and descending although much of the walk takes place on tarmac lanes.
Wear and bring clothing appropriate to the weather, including cold and wet weather gear.
Food & drink
We are booked in to have lunch at The Red Lion Inn in Fernhurst.
You will need to order your lunch yourself. Phone the pub on 01428 643112 to tell them your food order and say that you're part of Gavin Blackman's party.
You will also need to pay a £10 deposit to the pub directly (I cannot pay a £250 deposit, then get members to pay me).
If you cancel you attendance, you will need to phone the pub to cancel your food order and have your £10 deposit reimbursed.
Menu:
Sandwiches: Served with your choice of granary, white bread or demi-white baguette; a salad garnish and skinny fries. Gluten free bread is available; please ask when ordering.
- Warm Chicken & Bacon Club Sandwich 10.95
- Smoked Salmon and Prawn in Marie Rose Dressing 11.95
- Brie, Cranberry & Crispy Bacon 10.95
- Cheddar Cheese & Tomato Sandwich VO 9.95
- Lemon, garlic and thyme marinated chicken wrap 10.95
Starters/Light Bites (to have as a light bit, not as a starter): Tempting smaller plates, ideal as a starter or just as a light meal on their own.
- Homemade Soup of The Day GFO 8.50; served with a warm baguette and butter
- Smoked Scottish Salmon and Prawn Tian 11.95; served with brown bread and Marie Rose sauce
- Salt and Pepper Squid 9.95; served with crispy kale, lemon, and garlic mayonnaise
- Halloumi Fries 8.95; served with a sweet chilli dipping sauce
- Courgette and crispy sage linguine V 8.95; served with a light herb butter sauce
- Dirty Fries 9.95; skinny fries topped with melted cheese, bacon bits and fried onion
Mains
- Homemade Chicken, Leek and Bacon Pie 18.95; served with mashed potato, gravy and seasonal vegetables
- Fish & Chips GFO 18.25; catch of the Day in batter with chunky chips and your choice of garden or mushy peas
- Ham Egg & Chips GF 15.00; thick cut English ham, two fried eggs, chunky chips and a salad garnish
- Calves' Liver & Bacon GF 19.95; served with mashed potato, onion gravy and seasonal vegetables
- Hunter's Chicken GF 18.95; tender chicken breast, bacon and cheese with seasonal salad and fries
- Sea Bass GF 18.95; served with asparagus, spinach, sauteed new potatoes and sauce vierge
- Chargrilled halloumi and roasted pepper salad GF 15.00; served with salad dressing
- Mixed vegetable risotto V GF 15.00; a selection of spring vegetables in risotto
Burgers
Served in a brioche bun (Gluten free option available - please ask) with gem lettuce, tomato, red onion, dill pickle, burger relish and garlic mayonnaise. Skinny fries on the side. Their vegan burger comes with plant-based alternative fillings and dips.
- Homemade British Beef Burger GFO 17.95
- Crispy Coated Chicken Burger GFO 17.95
- Vegan Burger V GFO 15.95
- The Red Lion Dirty Burger 19.95; their homemade beef burger topped with cheese sauce, crispy bacon, fried onions, grilled tomato, lettuce and gherkins served with onion rings, fries and relish dip
Add your choice of extra toppings (1.50 each). Choose from :
- Cheddar cheese
- Vegan Bacon
- Sauteed Mushrooms
- Fried Onions