The Walk
A circular walk through the country park, round the racecourse and up 'The Trundle' (neolithic hill fort) then down into Lavant via the literary trail, onto Goodwood racing circuit and airfield for a stop, and back via villages and forest of Goodwood Country Park to the start point. This is one of my favourite routes which is unique.
Because of the location this is a walk needing cars but if you don't drive, don't make that a reason not to come as we can organise lift shares and I don't mind diverting to pick 2 people up.... We will sort it out for sure!
We will stop at Goodwood Aerodrome or Lavant village green for a picnic lunch and can go up into the control tower café if we want and/or watch planes arriving and departing from the roof of the aero club building. Goodwood has the resident ‘Boultbee’ Spitfire and I've often seen it starting up whilst eating lunch at the airfield, so this is a great one for plane buffs. Also the 'breakfast club' car events often take place on Sundays and are free to watch... A very varied route through countryside, hills, forest, the airfield and villages, with lots of sights and loads of opportunities for pub stops around the Goodwood estate. Also breath-taking 360 degree views from the Trundle of the Isle of Wight etc.
Meet (to leave) at 11 AM at Goodwood country park car park (postcode PO18 0QE) on Selhurstpark road. There is ample free parking here and you can see the car park as an area of hard standing with cars parked on it using google satellite map view, using this postcode.
It’s mostly flat without big ascents, but we will take our time and stop when anyone wants too.
Be aware gates to the car park shut at dusk if you stay longer, but the group walk should be finished some time before then in any event.
The Blurb (please read if unfamiliar)
Please check any comment section updates to the walk on the morning of the walk and before leaving as I don't tend to walk if it will be raining all day, so I'll just reschedule the walk. Also if I don't have a minimum of 4 people (including me) on the late evening of the walk.
I tend to keep walks to a maximum of 12 to keep it social, friendly and welcoming.
Dogs are usually always welcome but please bring leads in case we walk in areas with livestock.
It's always recommended wearing good walking boots as you never know when it will be muddy. I recommend gaiters and disposable boot covers are great for not annoying pub landlords!
If we go to areas that are accessible by car, car sharing is encouraged, wherever possible and please offer lifts to others. With me, just bring clean car shoes and walking boots in a bag please.
The end time is always an estimate and because it's not possible to scout out all routes before the group walk, the route may be subject to diversion and added distance, although this tends to be very rare.
If you have reserved a place but decide not to come please let the organiser know by un-RSVP'ing the walk before it starts, so we are not waiting for people. We tend to wait 10 minutes before leaving.
Walk Organisers Please!
So as the burden isn't always on me to come up with routes and as this is a friends walking group, it would be appreciated if other members could put on walks by being organiser. You don't necessarily have to scout the walk beforehand or navigate (because many have map apps) but just come up with a route you may or may not know and be organiser, to take the organisational burden off me, help the aims of the group, and reciprocate if you have enjoyed others efforts in organising walks! Whatever route you decide, I’m sure it will be appreciated by all!