DUKE OF CUMBERLAND
The Duke of Cumberland Pub
Henley, Nr Midhurst

An Idyllic Woodland Setting

The Duke is a 15th century small 'gem-like' pub perched on the side of a hill. It has breathtaking views to the North East and on a fine summer's day it's just possible to see Leith Hill, the highest point in Surrey. Nearer by is the second highest hill in Surrey, Blackdown, which broods over Haslemere.

In the days when Henley was almost wholely owned by the Cowdray Estate - before World War 2 - the houses would have been painted in the distinctive Cowdray yellow. Only three houses close to the Duke remain as Estate cottages. Up until 1825 the lane through Henley was the main turnpike to London and coach horses would have had to drag their loads up the steep hill. Half way up the hill above the pub spare horses were kept in a small field and were used to help tow the coaches to the top of the rise.

As you start to drop down towards Midhurst there was a pond on the left where the horses had a drink and rested up. This April (2006) the woodmen cut the chesnuts and you can now see where the pond used to be. The above picture is an artist's impression of the pond. The horses would have been led down from the turnpike past the bullrushes on the left to drink at the water's edge. There was also an entry point at the southern edge of the pond.

Nobody knows just how old Henley is. Up until the 1950's the old turnpike was laid with pillow-shaped boulders. Here is a photo. It's difficult to imagine how slippery these boulders must have been for horses, especially with a large load. The house at the top on the right used to be the Mission House where travellers stopped off to pray and have a rest.

In 1932 archaeologists dug up the road to investigate its origin. Up until then, because of its straight line towards Chichester, it had been believed to be a Roman Road. However, because of a layer of slag underneath which couldn't have occurred before 1550, the road can't be dated further back then that. Local archaeologists in 1949 commented that they thought the road almost certainly had originated as a Roman Road though no evidence remained to support that assertion. Interestingly, Cowdray came to near-by Easebourne in 1532 and empailed 600 acres. Cottages such as Woodland Cottage have been dated to circa 1575. It's likely the road was resurfaced at the time Henley became a Cowdray Cantonement.

The Duke of Cumberland today still retains a lot of its original charm. There are framed historical documents on the walls which give some of the owners of the pub over the centuries. And for history buffs more information on the area may be had from the Fernhurst Society.

For today's visitors the Duke is a haven on a warm summer's day. There are several acres of garden with ponds and even on the busiest day you can generally find room to yourself. The views are breathtaking. And everywhere you can hear the tinkle of running water. Henley used to have its own water company and pumping station - the old pumping station is now a home. But, the water from the spring still rushes down hill through the hamlet and never fails even in the driest summer.

The Duke is unusual in that it has so many sinks and ponds. There is water running through pipes and levadas thoughout the gardens, and your fish supper is swimming about in a catchment for you to see!

A recent revue in Eating & Drinking section of the Observer Magazine (23/4/2006) makes play with the family-friendly aspect of the pub with its 5 acres of gardens and ponds "where kids can help fish out their own lunch before it is plainly roasted in the kitchen. They can also feed the fish, or play hide and seek between courses (the gold medal winning Blackburn & Haynes ice cream, choux buns stuffed with cauliflower cheese and tuna cooked rare always fetch them back). Favourite family meal - ordered with 24 hrs notice - is the whole roast joint, served at your table for carving, with all the trimmings at around £14 per head. Puddings are of the treacle tart variety, and the only mobile phones are those nailed to the wall", Sue Webster comments.

Angmering-on-Sea Walkers

With an easterly wind on a hot summer's day its best to keep upwind of the kitchens, that is to say downhill. If you're keen on walking or mountain biking this is a good place to start. (We shall be listing and illustating the principal mountain-biking routes here shortly (see below) - so please bookmark this page). Landranger Maps may be obtained from either Nobs in Haslemere or the Tourist Office in Midhurst. There are routes which will take you for as far as the eye can see. We have invited the Angmering-on-Sea Walkers to divulge their 'secret' hikes. They walk together once a month and come from the local golf-club in Angmering-on-Sea.

Here are several mountain-bike routes: FERNHURST BLACKDOWN. LINCHMERE, MIDHURST & COCKING. Fernhurst, Linchmere and Blackdown all have as their start points the Public Car Park in Fernhurst, Midhurst from North St Car Park and Cocking from the Car Park on Cocking Hill where it adjoins the South Downs Way.

The Fernhurst Route is easily accesible from the Duke of Cumberland. Follow the RUPP right-of-way sign down the sloping track just below Old Smugglers near the pub and turn sharp right at the track junction, 0.5 miles in, and cycle eastwards through Verdley Wood until you hit Bexley Hill. Refer to your Landranger map for route details.

A party of walkers from the South Downs Society - others were slaking their thirst in the Duke of Cumberland when this picture was taken - led by 85 year old Norman Foot (with glasses) having a picnic lunch on the woodland edge of Henley, and enjoying the blissful sunshine of an early Spring day. 15/3/2007. Website:www.southdownssociety.org.uk

The Duke epitomises SPACE....FREEDOM.....PEACE....TRANQUILITY....and DEEP ROOTS INTO THE SOUL OF ENGLAND. Come, and quietly enjoy your heritage!

DUKE OF CUMBERLAND
HENLEY
GU27 3HQ
Tel: 01428 652280

 

' The Duke of Cumberland Page " is sponsored by Violet Designs, Midhurst, West Sussex Tel: 01730 810059. We just try harder to give exceptional service and prices.

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