Petersfield, secluded valleys & dramatic 360 views from Harting Down

WHAT TO EXPECT - Dramatic hill-top views, secluded valleys and woodland

Distance: 25km (approx 15 miles) Ascent: c. 570m Estimated Duration (approx): 6 hours walking (4km/hr) Difficulty: Moderate to energetic Group size: 20 hikers

HIGHLIGHT

• An undulating hike through the little known western reaches of the South Downs. • Lovely quaint pub for a stop at lunchtime • Stunning 360-degree panoramic views on top of National Trust's Harting Down • Significant views out to the Solent and the Isle of Wight • Deer parks in the later part of the walk • Some beautiful quintessentially English countryside at its best

DESCRIPTION We'll be walking in part on the South Downs Way, as well as lesser known paths steeped in history.

Our day will start in Petersfield - an ancient market town founded in the early 12th century which became a horse coaching centre on the main London to Portsmouth route.

We'll then head to Buriton, a lovely historic village just south of Peterfield. From there we will start heading up onto the South Downs Way and then down to South Harting, which sits at the foot of the beautiful South Downs. It is home to one of the major landmarks in the Rother Valley - St Mary and Gabriel Church. This will be our lunch stop at a quaint old pub.

We'll be walking off our lunch with a steep climb up onto Harting Down - a stunning 360-degree viewpoint where the higher ground of West Harting Down provides significant views out to the Solent and the Isle of Wight should we have fine weather.

We then circle back to Petersfield over fields and along deer park enclosures, with no other hikers in sight. And of course, a well earned drink in a pub in Petersfield!

*ps. My walks make time to enjoy the views, take in local history, and look at interesting buildings along the way.*

PROGRAMME You can choose to meet at London Waterloo or the Hike Starting Point. The applicable time and meeting points are detailed below.

MEETING POINT: We will assemble in front of Information Desk under the large clock, and by the large Pret.

LONDON STATION MEETING DETAILS Assembly Time: 08.30 - for those looking to come in on the Group Save 08.45 - for people who have their own tickets as we move to the train 9.00 - train departs 10.05 - train arrives in Petersfield

HIKE START POINT Leave at: 10.15 Meetup Point: Petersfield Train Station - outside the front

RETURN Return trains from Folkestone are 17.44, 18.19, 18.48 (about 1 hour journey)

HIKE COST The cost for the hike is £12 per person.

TRAIN INFORMATION For those buying their own tickets, please get a return to PETERSFIELD

GROUP SAVE Group save train fare is £25.75 - if you want to join, please message me.

*Alternatively, you can buy a Network Railcards for £35/ year for similar off peak savings. www.network-railcard.co.uk.*

REVIEWS [Trip Advisor](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d19994843-Reviews-AAA_Hiking_Outdoor_Group-London_England.html) \| [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AAAHikingUK/reviews) \| [MeetUp](https://www.meetup.com/aaa-outdoor-hiking-adventure-travel/feedback-overview/)

PRICE INCLUDES · Guided hike planned and led by an experienced AAA leader, trained in Outdoor First Aid.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE · Travel costs · Lunch, drinks or any refreshments · PayPal fees

RECOMMENDED KIT LIST [(](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/kitlist)complete list[)](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/kitlist) · Suitable hiking shoes or boots · Packed lunch and snacks · Water - 2 litres recommended · Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!) · Warm windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece · Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencel/Merino

CANCELLING/REFUNDS If you can no longer join the hike, please message the Host listed on here, and update your RSVP status to 'Not going', to allow others to take your place. If the hike is full, and you have messaged us and have changed your RSVP to 'Not going', we will refund you, less than the PayPal/Meetup fees.…