"The Devil's Punchbowl." The horizontal line in the vegetation, top right, marks the course of the old A.3 trunk road. The new one goes through a tunnel under the hill in view.
Commentary.
These sandstone hills have become a visitor hotspot.
Facilities, picnic area and car park have been built.
Footpaths circumnavigate the whole of the bowl-like coombe known as “The Devil’s Punchbowl.”
Such sandy soil, as here, is easily leeched.
Nutrients are washed down and away, so typically, only Coniferous Spruces and Scots Pines can thrive.
Half a mile around the valley two memorials remind us of the local history.
The “Sailor’s Stone” commemorates the murder of a sailor,
perhaps travelling to or from Portsmouth.
It may well have been the work of Highwaymen for which this shady, wooded area was notorious.
A little further on is Gibbet Hill, 272 metres, 892 feet.
A Cruciform Memorial marks the spot where Highwaymen and Robbers were publicly hanged from a gibbet, to dissuade others from such a disreputable way of life.
Where people now walk and picnic, whilst taking in the views,
was the busy and often congested A.3 Trunk road.
It followed a near horizontal route near the top of the “Bowl.”
At the south-western extreme is Hindhead, where traffic lights and junctions would often lead to long, frustrating and polluting tailbacks.
Since 2011, a mile-long tunnel was constructed to take the traffic, both ways, on dual-carriageways under Gibbet Hill.
This allowed nature to re-claim the path of the old road.
It has become an even more popular and accessible beauty spot, a place of peace, splendour and solace.
As autumn turns the colours red, orange and yellow,
its appeal is even further enhanced.
"The Devil's Punchbowl." The horizontal line in the vegetation, top right, marks the course of the old A.3 trunk road. The new one goes through a tunnel under the hill in view.
Commentary.
These sandstone hills have become a visitor hotspot.
Facilities, picnic area and car park have been built.
Footpaths circumnavigate the whole of the bowl-like coombe known as “The Devil’s Punchbowl.”
Such sandy soil, as here, is easily leeched.
Nutrients are washed down and away, so typically, only Coniferous Spruces and Scots Pines can thrive.
Half a mile around the valley two memorials remind us of the local history.
The “Sailor’s Stone” commemorates the murder of a sailor,
perhaps travelling to or from Portsmouth.
It may well have been the work of Highwaymen for which this shady, wooded area was notorious.
A little further on is Gibbet Hill, 272 metres, 892 feet.
A Cruciform Memorial marks the spot where Highwaymen and Robbers were publicly hanged from a gibbet, to dissuade others from such a disreputable way of life.
Where people now walk and picnic, whilst taking in the views,
was the busy and often congested A.3 Trunk road.
It followed a near horizontal route near the top of the “Bowl.”
At the south-western extreme is Hindhead, where traffic lights and junctions would often lead to long, frustrating and polluting tailbacks.
Since 2011, a mile-long tunnel was constructed to take the traffic, both ways, on dual-carriageways under Gibbet Hill.
This allowed nature to re-claim the path of the old road.
It has become an even more popular and accessible beauty spot, a place of peace, splendour and solace.
As autumn turns the colours red, orange and yellow,
its appeal is even further enhanced.