Monday week Chris and I took a day out of the office so that we could keep to an annual Halloween time tradition which has developed over the last few years.
The tradition being that of a visit to the quaint village of Slindon in West Sussex, also known as “The Pumpkin Capital of Britain”!
Every October through to early November the quiet village becomes frantic with people, this is all due to Slindon Pumpkins hosting the most amazing display of well…….Pumpkins!
The display was first introduced to the village back in the late 60s, by the late Ralph Upton shortly after he had started growing Pumpkins from his farm in the village. Today both of Ralph’s sons continue their fathers autumn pumpkin display.
The display has been said to attract visitors from all over the world! Making up the display are over 50 different varieties of pumpkin (I never knew there were so many)! Aside from the pumpkins used in the display are more than 30 varieties of squash. Together they make the most extraordinary and colourful display, all in aid of a different charity each year.
This years display was done in aid of the charity Mind who support better mental health. Mind is a great charity and one I referred a loved one to only earlier this year, at a time when it came about that they had been solely supporting someone very dear with a mental health disorder which had gone unrecognised for years. The charity not only helps those who have a disorder but offer help to their support network.
Once we had visited the display and selected our own pumpkins for carving and soup making later that evening, we continued on to the Pumpkin café for tea and cake before embarking on our mammoth walk around the Slindon Estate.
The walking from Slindon is fantastic anytime of year, yet especially so in autumn for all the colours in the woods and across the open landscape.
The estate is made up of some 3,500 acres and crosses through woodland and farmland with wide sweeping views across the Weald and South Downs. At one point on the walk if it’s a clear day you can even see the sea!
The walk we did can be found here, this walk states it’s a 6.5 mile walk however whenever we do this circular walk it it’s shows as 7.5 (maybe we get lost somewhere for a mile and a half)! Although if this is the case it never appears to show this on the map my dog walk app!
The walking terrain is moderately easy and fairly flat.
You do need to be aware that as much of this walk crosses farmland there are a lot of livestock grazing so you will at points need to keep you dogs under close control/on a lead.
Bunter enjoyed playing catch the leaves in the woods.
You really are spoilt for choice on which direction you take with the 8 way sign which is located around the half way point on this walk.
By the time we finished the walk the sun was setting and gave us a stunning show.
A good stop off after this walk for a warm up in front of the fire or to take in the views from the garden is The George and Dragon in Houghton which is dog friendly.
Upon returning home we began carving our pumpkins, and I think it’s safe to say neither of us will be winning any awards for our pumpkin carving skills this year!
A few days after we carved our pumpkins the dogs enjoyed being pumpkin heads whilst eating them!
Love for now, Emma and the Dals xxx
Hey I’ve been following you literally on your walks and online ..all great ..which app do you use? I find it too easy to get lost! Do you lose signal ?
Hi, Thanks for you kind comments. I use the mapmydogwalk app – its great and I have never lost signal with it which is always helpful.
Great post and the app sounds great so I will find it. I live up North in Lancashire but its always good to find new walks for future holidays etc. X
Thank you! Yes always good to have some recommended walking spots for holidays! X