Henley circular

By Eddie Start

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This walk is a return to the wooded, northwest of the county and travels through a hilly landscape that gives the impression of being many miles from any habitation.

Henley is a tiny community sitting east of the busy A286, Midhurst to Haslemere road. It nestles on a north-facing, steep hillside with a sprinkling of houses and a distinguished and popular pub – The Duke of Cumberland.

In earlier times, the surrounding countryside would have resonated to the thud of water-powered hammers at nearby ironworks.

1.From the steep hill that runs through the community and opposite the notable pub, take the footpath turning that leads between houses and in a few paces turns to the right. In a few steps, just after Yew Tree Cottage, take the enclosed footpath on the left that skirts around the properties and drops over a plank bridge to begin a climb up through Verdley Wood. This path runs for a mile through the varied woodland, much of it commercial plantations of varying age and species. Keep to the main signed footpath on forest tracks, taking none of the paths leading off either side.

Around the midway point of the path a clearing is entered with the gaunt totem pole of a tall, dead tree in the centre.

Keep to the path that goes left of the tree and at the far side of the clearing climb steeply to the quarter-right. At the top of the climb, at a track junction, the path drops to a marker post and continues along the woodland track. The footpath is joined by a bridleway from the left and continues ahead to a minor road close to Bexleyhill.

2.Cross the road and pick-up the steeply rising footpath. The path soon levels off, turns to the right and continues the climb. After the climb of 300 yards through the woodland, the path comes to a sandy track and turns left above Grevatt’s Common.

Follow the southerly, now mainly level path, taking no side turnings, and arriving above Grevatts at Vining Common in a little over half-a-mile, where there are views across to the South Downs. Take the signed bridleway that goes left of the farm buildings and reservoir.

Follow the bridleway, southeast, which provides fine views across the wooded Weald. In about a quarter-of-a-mile the path arrives at a four-way path junction above Vining Farm, which is down to the right.

3.Take the sharp left bridleway that descends back down the hill and arrives at the edge of a valley paddock in 200 yards. Just in front of the paddock gate turn right, descending to a gully area and then climbing steeply ahead up Hoe Hill.

The bridleway goes across the top of the hill and begins a descent, being joined by a bridleway from the right.

Follow the broad track, which passes beside some secluded cottages at Ovis Common in a quarter of a mile.

About 25 yards after the last cottage take a right turn (the bridleway sign may be missing here) that leads down into woodland.

The onward path is joined by a bridleway from the left in a quarter of a mile.

In a further 150 yards, just after a forest track coming from the left, take a right turn and in 200 yards, after a left turn in the track and close to Gollyers Cottages, take the left footpath.

4.Follow the northbound footpath (yellow arrow) for a quarter of a mile to Highstead Lane. Cross the road to the opposite footpath (yellow arrow) walking through woodland for 150 yards to an open meadow. Keep to the right hedgeline to the right corner and re-enter woodland.

In 200 yards, descend a bank and at a marker post take the quarter-right turn, beneath power cables, to a stile on the right. Keep to the main path through woodland, above a stream and cross a footbridge.

At a three-way sign, go left to a gate in 50 yards and turn along the right edge of the field, passing through a midway gate. Keep to the right hedgeline, climbing up the field and crossing a stile in the right hedge.

Turn left up the field towards Hoewyck Farm, passing out to a minor road.

5.Turn left along the road, passing the farm, and at a sharp right turn locate the footpath sign (yellow arrow) in the hedge ahead and climb over the metal gate.

Descend into the shallow valley along the left hedgeline, then climb to a sign and turn left.

The path skirts around to the right above the valley floor and finally descends to the half-left to a stile, a bridge and passes through a gate.

The path is now signposted through close undergrowth and hedgerow, crossing a bridge and with a stream meandering close by. In a quarter of a mile, the path finally climbs to a stile in a fence on the left, which you cross and turn right down the metalled drive. Pass through two white gate pillars and continue for 25 yards to an enclosed, signed footpath on the left.

6.Turn left along the, possibly overgrown, path and in 50 yards turn left to climb steeply up the hill with a fence on the left and woodland on the right. At the top of the climb the path turns right into Verdley Wood and descends to cross a plank bridge and climb steeply up the bank ahead to a track.

Turn right, in a short distance take the next signed right turn, and follow the distinct path for half a mile to a junction with a bridleway. Drop right for 100 yards, climb a rise in the path and then turn left (yellow arrow) to climb up through the continuing woodland for a quarter of a mile to a crossing track, with a field ahead.

Turn left (red arrow) to climb on the rising track, passing cottages and finally arriving at the road through Henley. Turn left up the hill back towards the starting point beside the pub.