Guildford Ramblings: ‘Walking the Line in The Shadow of Miss Austen’

Published on: 23 Sep, 2014
Updated on: 24 Sep, 2014

Guildford Ramblers – Walking the Line

Report and photos by Kay Hiatt

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that energetic people in possession of good health, must be in want of a walk [Apologies Jane. Ed].

So on a fine and sunny day (September 17) what better than a stroll through the Hampshire countryside? It was just the sort of thing beloved English author Jane Austen, who lived nearby in Chawton, might have enjoyed. Our group assembled needing no Persuasion.

Trees on the track – but we remained on time

Early on we ‘walked the line’ along a section of an old railway track built from Alton to Fareham, in late Victorian times, by the London and South Western railway. As intrepid ramblers and with Sense and Sensibility we even braved some ‘trees on the track’ as well as numerous stiles.

Part of the bumper crop of maize.

We continued through a mixture of woods, farmland, past maize fields with bumper crops and entered the village called Farringdon, two miles from Chawton, whose church was part of the Northanger Benefice [what about Northanger Abbey? Ed]. Jane often walked here and knew the vicar well. She probably attended services here too.

The ancient yew tree in perhaps more than 2,000 years old.

The ancient yew tree in Northanger, perhaps more than 2,000 years old.

We gazed in awe and wonder at the large and decorative 19th century village hall. The ancient yew tree in the churchyard stood silent. It is rumoured to be more than 2,000 years old – we wondered what and whom it might have witnessed in its long life.

A thistle – photo taken just because it’s beautiful.

Then on to the pub, The Greyfriar, for lunch with our rambling friends, in the sunshine. As Jane herself said: “They are much to be pitied who have not been given a taste for nature…”

Start grid ref SU 708375 – Park in village car park at side of pub

Anyone in Guildford interested in joining The Ramblers should visit our website at: http://www.guildfordramblers.org.uk.

Kay Hiatt is the Publicity Officer for the Guildford Ramblers.