Linchmere circular

Note the footpath sign ahead in the hedgerow and turn left down the drive for a few yards, continuing ahead on the enclosed path, as the driveway turns right. In 150 yards, cross a stile into a delightful, sloping meadow, continuing down the left edge to the bottom left corner and crossing a stile.

Enter the woodland ahead, the name of which may dispel, unjustifiably, the delights of the meadow you have just crossed – you are now in Poison Copse. Follow the winding path through the coppiced cover, ignoring a left turn after 150 yards. The path continues for a further 300 yards, passing through a bridle gate at a three-way path junction beside Ash Copse and into open access land.

2 - Ignore the left turn that climbs the hill and continue ahead, following the path at the edge of woodland for a quarter of a mile. On coming to a four-way path junction, with Danley Farm away to the right in the shallow valley, take neither of the side turnings but continue ahead beneath holly bushes.

In 100 yards, at a marker post, divert half-left (yellow arrow), crossing a plank bridge in a short distance. The path winds its way through the more sparse woodland for 350 yards to a five-way path junction.

From the sign turn left, passing between two small ponds and climbing for 100 yards to a left turn, close to a cottage at Lower Brookham. In a few paces, when beside a three-way sign, leave the bridleway and climb left on a footpath (yellow arrow), into the higher woodland.

The climb eases as the path passes between plantations to a marker post, after about a quarter of a mile. Continue on the path for a further 50 yards and locate a marker post, several yards off to the right beneath trees. Head for the post and there turn left.

Follow the trodden path between undergrowth, to descend steeply, bearing right down a bank to join bridleways beside a marker post in the valley bottom.

3 - Climb out from the crossing, up the opposite root-rutted bridleway, on to more level ground on Stanley Common, taking the path that heads to the half-right for 250 yards to a woodland clearing, with a crossing track.

Walk ahead on the wide bridleway (blue arrow) for 150 yards, passing through a bridle gate beside a metal cattle grid. In a few paces, at a marker post, divert left from the surfaced track on to a bridleway, descending for about 75 yards to a lower marker post and turning right. Follow the winding, defined route through the woodland for nearly half a mile, ignoring any side turnings – there are intermediate signs to assist with direction finding.

On coming to Highfield Lane, turn left to a road junction and there go left again (signposted to Hollycombe). Walk with care along the roadside and finally climb to a car park at the edge of Iron Hill after 400 yards. Turn left across the car park, pass round a metal barrier gate into the managed woodland, bearing right on the main track after 100 yards.

4 - The track climbs on a wide, sandy bridleway for three-quarters of a mile, through the Forestry Commission site, passing a turn-off to a lumberyard at the mid-point.

The name Iron Hill gives a clue to the industrial activity that was carried on hereabouts in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the hill was probably a source of iron ore that was dug out of excavated pits and supplied to the North Park Furnace a short distance away. This area marked the western limit of the Wealden iron industry during that period.

At the top of the climb, where a power pylon is on the immediate left of the track, walk ahead for 150 yards to a crossing bridleway at the edge of Parkgate Copse.

Turn right for 150 yards and, with buildings and redundant vehicles in the field ahead, turn left. In a short distance the track begins a steep, muddy descent for one third of a mile on a deep gully bridleway, where care may be required.

5 - On coming to a three-way path junction and sign, close to the edge of Tank Copse, turn left (yellow arrow) on to a woodland footpath. Follow the twisting and undulating route for a quarter of a mile below Parkgate Rough, taking a left turn, followed by a right turn in 100 yards, beside a pine plantation.

Ignore a left turn after a further quarter of a mile, when beside West Leithe, and continue for 300 yards through left and right turns to a footpath sign, where a wider track continues ahead. Take the signed half-right turn, descending on a path that arrives beside the remote Newlands Cottage. Turn left along the main track, ignoring a right turn, and continue for a quarter of a mile to the roadside, close to Linchmere Marsh.

6 - Turn left up the roadside and in 100 yards locate and climb the footpath, up a bank, on the left. Follow the enclosed path along a fence line above Golden Valley, skirting right and crossing a raised walkway above marshy ground. Climb out to the right, heading towards a field gate ahead – do not pass through but turn left on the footpath, following a roller-coaster path beside Ash Copse.

In a quarter of a mile the path arrives at a junction in Poison Copse. Turn right, following the path back to the edge of the woodland, then climb up the field that was descended on the approach. On coming to the enclosed footpath, climb back to the wide grass verge at Linchmere – the starting point of the walk.

* Distance/Time: Six and a half miles, taking three and a quarter hours

* By Car: Linchmere is on a minor road midway between Fernhurst and Liphook, south-west of Haslemere. There is roadside grass verge parking at the start of the walk. Start point Grid Ref: SU868310

* By Public Transport: Travel details from www.traveline.info, phone 0871 2002233. Limited bus service from Midhurst to Linchmere, via Shottermill – check for availability.

* What’s underfoot: Woodland walking with climbs and descents. Some paths can be very muddy and steep in places. Not advisable with a baby backpack; not possible with a baby buggy.

* Thirsty Work: Nearest pubs at Fernhurst

* So you don’t get lost: OS Explorer map 133, plus a compass for general direction