Day 3- Distance officially listed as 11 miles; We walked 15 miles yet again in 7.5 hours today

Beginning to see a trend now- Take the official mileage & add 3+ miles. 🤣

We keep stay on the trail using three different ways. First, we use the official Pilgrim’s Way book that has generic directions like, “walk through the field to the kissing gate and turn left at the White House.” Secondly, we rely on the arrows posted on the footpath posts for direction. Third & the most reliable navigation method is the All Trails app that has the Pilgrims Trail. But, even using this app we still sometimes miss a turn & have to backtrack.

However, today we stayed exactly on the trail & still walked an extra 4 miles over the listed distance!

Regardless, we still enjoy the countryside & the various historical sites along the way.

This was the first day we had to use our umbrellas due to light rain.

Before leaving Farnham we passed this historic building.

Today’s highlights were old churches.

Church #1- Holy Rood in Holybourne

The church wasn’t open when we arrived, so we enjoyed a short rest outside sheltering from the rain in a rather unique spot.

Holybourne gets its name from the Old English “ Haligburna” meaning “Sacred Stream”. The church’s foundation & entry archway date from the Normans in the 12th Century.

Church #2 – Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Upper Froyle

This church was owned by the nuns from St. Mary’s Abbey in Winchester & it is highly likely that its name stems from them. The present church dates from the 14th Century although there was certainly a church located here before this one.

Still raining.

Fields are often lined by hedge rows, small bushes, & sometimes a small narrow forest.

Church #3 – Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Bentley

Bentley’s history can be traced back to the Romans in the 1st Century AD. This church was founded in 1175 by the Normans.

The rain finally stopped and we enjoyed lunch in front of Lord Baden Powell’s house at Pax Hill. He started the Boy Scouts in 1907. After he died, his wife Olave gave the house to the Girl Guides who are known as the Girl Scouts in America. It is now a rest home.

Much of the route took us through barley or wheat fields. We also saw young men exercising horses along with more unique homes.

Farnham is a nice college town. It has a castle that is now closed for repair & was known for hosting Queen Elizabeth I.

Church #4 – St. Andrew’s in Farnham

A church has stood in Farnham since the 7th Century & one was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 in which William the Conqueror ordered a survey to be done accounting for his kingdom.

A long day; but, delightful the entire way.