Midhurst Walk 16th Feb 2026

 

 Short Walk in Midhurst prior to Valerie's Charity Soup Lunch Monday 16 February 2026 – led by Angela Gilmour with Margaret Davies as back marker.
 
David & Carol Grant, Emma Thompson, Margaret Davies and myself all met up at Secrett’s Farm shop for 9.30 and shared the 30 minute drive to Cowdray Farm Shop, Cowdray Park, Cowdray Farm Shop & Cafe, Midhurst GU29 0AJ, where we found plenty of free car parking and an opportunity for a comfort break.  Here we were joined by Liz and Peter Graham, Anne Sweatman, Ian Permain, Liz Fyfe and Mary Connolly so 11 walkers in total.  We were blest with a dry bright day and we set off from the car park walking down hill towards the famous Polo fields.  The views are just spectacular and we were lucky that apart from the odd muddy patch, the terrain under foot was firm and conducive to easy walking.  We stopped at the ruins of Cowdray House for a group photo and then had an amble around the surrounding estate buildings sadly the lovely walled garden caf? is now only open for private functions.  We managed to resist “sending poo sticks” under the bridge over the little river and walked over the bridge turning left to join the toe path that runs along the river and leads to the short incline, and then up two short flights of stone steps both with handrails to access the ruins of Midhurst Castle and another photo opportunity from this vantage point looking back across the valley and up to the trees on top of the hill where we had parked the cars.  We will then descend back down along the path to a gate which led back into the Market Square with the Old Jail House.  This historic building formerly served as the town jail and is now known as Gartons Caf? and still retains historic features, including old jail doors, and the outside in an alcove are the stocks and pillory from 1859 photo attached.  Market Square is also home to the Old Town Hall and the Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene and St Denys.  Gartons Caf? made us very welcome and we enjoyed our coffees and hot chocolate and they also serve delicious lunches but we were saving ourselves to partake of Valerie’s wonderful Charity Soup Lunch.  Refreshed and restored we crossed the Market Square and turned right by the church along the pathway that took us back down to North Street stopping enroute to admire the Historic Town Council Offices – I think David got a picture of these which I am sure he will share with the group.  We managed to keep out of the tempting shops and crossed over the road as the burnt out ruins of the Angel Hotel still blocks the pathway two years after the tragic fire.  We crossed back over the road at the crossing outside the old Grammer School near the mini roundabout, bus stop and public toilets for a final comfort break before retracing our steps from the North Street Car Park to the lovely walkway leading back to Cowdray House then back up the incline to the car park at Cowdray Farm Shop.  The walk was about 3 miles and we left the car park at 12.15 to arrive at Valerie Box’s lovely home in Fernhurst around 12.30. 
 
Valerie, Anne Preston and Marion Permain had been working really hard and we were greeted with piping hot mugs of soup, accompanied by warm home made bread and a refreshing glass of water all served in the delightful conservatory overlooking the garden.  After the soup we were plied with the most delicious cakes – which I must admit it was very difficult to resist trying several different varieties all of which were sensational.  We were joined at Valerie’s by Pauline Garlic, Alan and Linda Day and we were all able to have a good catch up which was lovely.  Anne Swatman lead a moving tribute to Jennifer Capon who had died over the weekend.  Liz and Peter Graham are leading the next walk and they have the first aid kit and high viz jackets.
 
Angela Gilmour
16 February.