The Duke Of Cumberland Pub Walk At Henley

The Duke of Cumberland Pub Walk via Hurstfold Farm starts at just below the pub at the restricted byway after Old Smugglers. It’s signposted right to White Cottage and darts downhill on a broad track called the Midhurst Way – not named - past Denyers Cottage for about a mile to the environs of Courts Farm. You pass over a private drive to the farm, presently unused. Then where the path meets the stream and the bridge over the lane to Courts, turn left towards Verdley Place set in beautiful parkland up on the hill. There is a stile into a meadow on the right; cross this to reach the road at Bridgelands Farm. Or, walk up the service road - not left up The Midhurst Way, but straight ahead – and turn right almost immediately into the gated private road to Bridgelands. Follow this road down to a pond in a parkland setting and continue up across wide-open grassland for 100 yards to a T junction adjoining Hurstfold Farm. You’ll be amazed at the all-round views taking in Blackdown to the north and Henley Hill and Bexley to the south with rolling farmland and dark forest in between.

Turn right at Hurstfold Farm and continue down a straight road to the stream.

Turn right after crossing the stream and walk alongside the fishery for 100 yards to the forest margin. Turn left and follow the fence for 200 yards and then cross into the forest to the right by a stile, dip down over a small stream with a plank crossing, and wind gently up the slope to join the main ride towards Henley. Don’t turn left

Follow the grassy ride for a half a mile, join the Bexley Hill to Henley forest logging track at a T junction, turn right and drop down hill. After 100 yards cross the stream, ease up the slope and turn sharp left down a grassy ride. You’re now pointing in the direction of Henley – the source of the stream - and re-join the Midhurst Way just below White Cottage. Continue up the slope past the Tudor beamed cottage to the start point.

Addendum. At Denyers Cottage a half mile down the Midhurst Way track on the right, where it gets muddy, there is an alternate route via a dry field and hardcore farm track just inside the field margin which you can’t see from the Midhurst Way. It is signposted to the right. This takes you to the discontinued entrance drive to Courts Farm where you rejoin the Midhurst Way.