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The George (Slindon Estate) Walk
The George Eartham to Puck Lane and Nore Hill Folly walk (3.75 miles) Easily extended to 5, 7, or 10 miles please ask for details Route overview, Slindon estate on the South Downs. This walk around Nore Hill Folly from The George at Eartham is perfect for warm days in Spring, Summer, and Autumn, with much of the route overhung and shaded by trees. There is a superb show of bluebells here from as early as mid-April.
Adjacent National Cycle Route 22. By bus: Petworth - Chichester Compass Bus route 99 [hourly, flexible route] - N.B. Please phone 01903 264776 on a prior day during office hours, to request Eartham stop By rail: Chichester Station then Compass 99 bus as above; or Barnham or Amberley Stations - each about 5 miles (8km) away. Call 0845 7484950 or see National Rail for details By car: Take turning to Eartham off A283 Petworth - Chichester, the entrance to The George Inn's car park is to your right before the pub. or follow Eartham/Gt Ballard sign from A27. Postcode is PO18 0LT - tel 01243 814 340 Route details Start: The George, Eartham, PO18 0LT, grid ref: SU938094 1. From The George, walk towards Great Ballard School and follow the road to your left past a row of cottages. This walk continues straight on beside the farmyard, through a gateway by a public footpath sign, while the road turns right. Eartham house pump Eartham trail passing the octagonal victorian pump house on your right, built in flint and brick - traditional materials in the South Downs. 2. Keeping the hedge to your left, go down and past the handsome little flint and brick octagonal pumphouse. The track rises gently onwards under the gracefully overhanging boughs of mature Scots Pines until it goes straight ahead through a thin spur of woodland. Turn left at the stile and yellow-arrowed signpost. Puck Lane English bluebells between mature beeches at the top of Puck Lane in April - in these calm groves, beneath the fragile scent of bluebells, the air smells rich and dark and green 3. After about 130yds (120m) turn right at the yellow-arrowed signpost to keep the woodland to your left - in another 220yds (200m), go left at the stile and blue-arrowed signpost to join Puck Lane bridleway. Nore Hill way Slanting spring, summer or autumn sunlight through beeches budding light green - early Spring on the plateau of Nore Hill 4. Puck Lane bridleway rises through ancient woodland for around half a mile - mostly beech with a typical Downland mixture of holly, yew, and ash. These woods are regenerating naturally after the devastation of the Great Storm of 1987 - we have left many of the fallen trees as havens for wildlife. The way passes a blue-arrowed signpost then curls around the back of Nore Hill for around 275yds (250m) until it meets another bridleway - bear right at the yellow arrow here. Nore Hill Folly Built in 1814 for the Countess of Newburgh's picnic parties 5. In around 160yds (150m) there's a pole-barrier, go through it and follow the straight forestry track across the top for 700yds (650m) or so. We have been thinning here to let more light through, so the remaining trees grow to their full potential, surrounded by wild flowers and other woodland plants. We also deliberately leave piles of brush, logs, and ring-barked standing trees to provide a rich habitat for wildlife. As you pass through a farm gateway into the open, your view is to the East over the rich valley and Courthill Farm. Lees Lane An inviting tunnel of hedged and overhung shade on a warm day. 6. Keep the woods to your right for 220yds (200m) until you get to Nore Hill Folly -beside it is a well-sited bench for enjoyment of the panoramic views, across the coastal plain and way down to the sea. Bluebells under beeches on Nore Hill The first week in April, beautiful now, and promising an even more vivid carpet of bluebells through Spring into Summer. 7. Go down the farm track to a 'T' junction, turn right to pass Row's Barn, then follow Lees Lane as it bears right to head back towards Nore Hill. Pass the yellow-arrowed signpost into a refreshingly shadowed tree-overhung drovers' way. Turn left at the white-arrowed post when Lees Lane enters woodland. 8. Follow the way ahead then as it gradually bears right up through the woods - there is a fabulous show of bluebells all along here in the Spring, accompanied later by early purple Orchids. In around 500yds (450m) bear left at the white-arrowed signpost and stroll downhill to rejoin Puck Lane. 9. Go down Puck Lane for around 135yds (125m) until you reach the stile to your right that you came over at direction point 3, then retrace your route to The George Eartham. The George Eartham 10. End At: The George, Eartham, awaits with a great range of real ales, roaring open fires and locally sourced great British food all in pretty and comfortable surroundings. PO18 0LT, grid ref: SU938094 |
       following bridleways and footpaths through the estate, with approx 1 mile (1.6km)gradually uphill, the rest flat or downhill. Mostly well-drained chalky soils underfoot. Unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs - there are stiles plus quite a few tree-roots across the way. Dogs welcome. Please keep dogs under close control as livestock graze in surrounding fields. No dog bins so please take dog litter home. |
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Bar & Kitchen
Autumn/Winter 2024
Closed Monday & Tuesday
(open Bank holiday Mondays closed Bank holiday Tuesdays)
Wednesday to Saturday: Bar: 12noon - 11pm
Wednesday to Saturday: Lunch: 12noon - 3pm
Wednesday to Thursday: Dinner: 6pm - 9pm
Friday & Saturday: Dinner: 6pm - 9:30pm
Sunday: Bar: 12 noon - 6pm
Lunch: 12 noon - 5pm
December open on Tuesdays
Autumn/Winter 2024
Closed Monday & Tuesday
(open Bank holiday Mondays closed Bank holiday Tuesdays)
Wednesday to Saturday: Bar: 12noon - 11pm
Wednesday to Saturday: Lunch: 12noon - 3pm
Wednesday to Thursday: Dinner: 6pm - 9pm
Friday & Saturday: Dinner: 6pm - 9:30pm
Sunday: Bar: 12 noon - 6pm
Lunch: 12 noon - 5pm
December open on Tuesdays
The George
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t: 01243 814 340
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