SWS RAMBLERS walk led by Lindsay through Stedham, Tote Hill, Older Hill and Iping.

A fantastic nine mile walk. With a gentle climb for the five and one half miles and easy decent on our way back to the cars. The weather was very kind to us with just a gentle breeze and being quite humid on this Autumn day.

Starting from the car park in Iping Common we walked through Stedham Common before crossing the A272. We then passed trough the magnificent lawns of polo grounds at Greathouse Farm, Stedham, created by the late Kerry Packer. Walking through the picturesque village of Stedham was so peacefull and tranquil but once approaching the Mill House 'now that's what I call inspiring' it was something you would expect to see on on the front of a chocolate box. Here we had our coffee stop and listening to the water rush though the Mill Race with the call of the buzzards overhead it truly was tranquility.

Stedham Mill House (August 2014)

Following our break several members removed their topcoats due to the humidity, leaving them off for the rest of the walk.

From this point on the golden brown leaves covered the ground with the warm autumn colours appearing on the trees. From here we started our ascent up through the farmland of Tote Hill and on to Pound Common before entering and circling Lords Common. Seeing the back of the old King Edward VII Hospital which is now being renovated into apartments was a sorrowful sight.

Now along a section of the Serpent trail at the top part of our walk close to the Scotland Farmhouse we started our decent to The Lair at Woolbedding Common for our Lunch stop.  From here it was downward around Tote Hill. Along part of the 'New' Lipchis Way and down through Hammerwood Show Jumping grounds at Iping as we headed to the River Rother.  crossing the bridge and then back across the A272 we returned to our cars.  This was probably the easiest nine miler possible up on the downs.  What with some magnificent forest and views, I offer a big thanks to Lindsay and Jenny.