3rd November 2025 Petworth Deer Park

 

Petworth Deer Park – 3rd November 2025

5 days ahead of our walk, the weather forecast was initially poor, then it improved,
but by the Saturday the BBC forecast was so dire, with 40mph winds and continuous rain, that we were minded to cancel. However, other forecasts were kinder! The day itself started wet, but it improved steadily during the walk until heading back to the Car Park, when we were treated to some autumn colour popping sunshine. 17 members met at the Deer Park car park. 

The walk was just over 4 miles and seemed, to us, to epitomise all that GFC is about – walking with friends, with time to stop and enjoy the Fallow Deer, the notable trees and the views over Sussex. Plus the paths were wide enough for people to socialise as they walked and our route initially followed the eastern park wall, past the 250 year old Beelzebub Oak – thought to mark the edge of the spiritually safe area, beyond “There be Devils!” By consensus we circled the Lower Pond, created to help drain the park as part of Capability Brown’s work for Petworth between 1753 and 1765.

From the pond we headed towards the estimated (by RM) 400-500 strong grazing
herds of Fallow Deer. Although it was the Rutting season, we were a big group and so kept our distance. There are many sub-herds of Stags and their Does within the
overall herd and it was a memorable sight. The Stags with their impressive antlers,
and the Does moving like ballerinas. Most Stags were brown, but the Does varied
from brown, to tan, to cream.

Several walkers asked me about the ‘lumpy’ nature of much of the grass and it is
Tussock Grass, a species of grass common on poor ground with a high water table.
We then headed uphill towards the wooded copses at the south of the park. Although the NT are poor at labelling trees, we found a 500 year old Sweet Chestnut (not 250 as I said), and then the magnificent Norman Oak. This tree is some 940 years old and would have been a sapling when William landed and conquered in 1066! We encircled the tree, although judge for yourselves on our circle abilities at right.
From the majestic but windy copse, we looked over the Upper Lake and descended to the surrounding lawns, through a flock of Egyptian Geese, and around the lake and then took coffee by a Petworth sized log pile. From here we returned to the car park on the west side of the park, past grazing young stags, and then were treated to the sun breaking through the greyness to light up the Beech trees at the Northern end. 

10 lunched at the Stonemasons Arms in a convivial room with a log fire. The food and service was very good.
JR, HR, PG, LG, JE, ME, SE, JE, FB, PDW, SDW, RD, RM, NS, AMW, LF, JW