Glistening Ponds and a Sculpture Park
3 people attending
17 places left
This is a varied and interesting day out combining a lovely walk amongst the stunning scenery of Frensham ponds and surrounding heathland, with a visit to one of the finest and most extensive outdoor displays of sculpture in the world. There is also the possibility of a swim at the end in Frensham Great Pond – a popular wild swimming spot with a man-made beach.
Frensham has two large ponds known as the Great and Little Ponds. They were built in the 13th century to provide fish (especially carp) for the Bishop of Winchester and his court, whilst visiting Farnham Castle. The landscape is owned by the National Trust and includes glistening water, impressive heathland and colourful mosaics of purple heathers, yellow gorse and other wild plants. A huge variety of wildlife can be found in and around the ponds and the area has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England, a Special Protection Area, and a Special Area of Conservation.
Our circular walk starts at Frensham Great Pond and will take us to the Sculpture Park in Churt via Stony Jump which is one of three small hills known as the Devil’s Three Jumps. Reaching it requires a short but steep climb, and is the only strenuous part of the walk, but worth it to see the amazing views from the summit.
We shall have a couple of hours to explore the Sculpture Park which is sited within two miles of trail and 10 acres of woodland, lakes, streams and walkways - a perfect haven for immersing yourself in art! There are over 600 ever changing sculptures on exhibition from over 200 well known and upcoming sculptors. More information can be found on their website Home - The Sculpture Park
If you prefer not to visit the sculpture park, or if you finish visiting it early, there is the option of a drink and refreshments at the Bel & The Dragon country inn which is directly opposite the entrance to the sculpture park and has a large pub garden. Note there are no refreshment facilities in the sculpture park. Bel & The Dragon Churt (belandthedragon-churt.co.uk)
Our return to Frensham Great Pond is via the Little Pond, and at the end of the walk, there is the option of a wild swim (obviously, bring swimwear and a towel if you wish to do this!). Swimming is only allowed at the Great Pond within the marked areas, and it is important to check the water quality before getting in as the area is sometimes affected by high levels of blue-green algae which can be hazardous. At the end, there is also the option of a drink at the Frensham Pond Hotel & Spa which has a large patio area overlooking the lake. Hotels In Surrey | Hotels In Farnham | Frensham Pond Hotel
How much is entrance to the sculpture park?
The entrance fee is £15. Senior rates are available for age 65+.
Don't waste that space!
Summer walks get really busy so please only book if you know you can make it. If your plans change please free up the space for someone else.
Is it dog friendly? Dogs are not allowed on the beach at Frensham Pond or in the water (you would therefore not be able to have a swim at the end if you bring your dog). Otherwise, this walk is suitable for dogs. Dogs must be kept on a short lead in the sculpture park at all times. Please note and abide by the Countryside Code (https://tinyurl.com/rlqvp3h) and remember not everyone loves dogs as much as you do so please be mindful of other members.
The route
The OS route may be found at this link. Please note this does not include any walking in the sculpture park. https://explore.osmaps.com/route/20273162/great-pond--sculpture-park?lat=51.162668&lon=-0.785866&zoom=12.9129&style=Standard&type=2d
New Members
Please feel free to join this as your first OutdoorLads event. If you have any questions then feel free to message me, or go to the "My First Event" section under "About Us".
Image / photo credits: All leader's own images with permission for OutdoorLads to use and reuse
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What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Food & drink
Bring a picnic lunch and plenty of water.
We shall have lunch during the two hour stop we have at the sculpture park. There are three main areas which you can picnic in at the park, each located a short distance from reception. Each has seating or tables available. There are also two raised wooden huts which you can picnic in and are the only spots available to picnic under cover.