please empty your brain below
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One of my favourite walks, and although I regularly used the pre-tunnel A3 to drive to Portsmouth, it is now hard to recall what the Punchbowl was like, or indeed which of the several parallel lanes in the area was the actual A3.
I've never been there on a day clear enough to see 40 miles.
timbo | 24.06.19 - 7:18 a.m. | #
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Would have been interesting if they had left the old A3 road which crossed the Punchbowl in place, and watched nature slowly take over, instead of removing it. Probably have saved money too.
John | 24.06.19 - 9:22 a.m. | #
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Took my family who were up from Wales yesterday to the even more splendid and just relaunched Wisley, and talked about this helpful bypass over lunch as it is 'just' a bit further down the A3.
The original stated intent was to "remove all trace of the road" (there was a small exhibition), but as can be seen from DG's photo, they did not remove the banking earthworks, I was hoping for a complete back to how it was before but it still looks good.
Ken | 24.06.19 - 10:01 a.m. | #
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I'd have just left the old road in place and just let nature 'take back control', a check on YouTube reveals footage of a trip along the road prior to closure, this includes a trip through Hindhead, many may prefer to mute the music.
Nortbound
/Southbound
Still Anon | 24.06.19 - 10:33 a.m. | #
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As someone who uses the A3 a fair bit, I'd always wondered what became of the old road. Now I know! Looks like a good way to spend a day.
Paul | 24.06.19 - 1:24 p.m. | #
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Some of the tracks are byways and soon after getting into trail riding I rode there to gain some practice. I completely underestimated Gibbet Hill, and got the bike so stuck that I had to leave it and walk back up the hill to find a phone (it was long before I had a mobile).
I found the Devil's Punchbowl Hotel looking like a drowned rat - it was raining - and did a lot of apologising for the state I was in.
A pair of girls seemed surprisingly forgiving: they then explained that it wasn't their first sight of mud, that day... just earlier on they'd been part of the crew shooting battle scenes for a film, which they believed would be quite a blockbuster.
"Look out for it when it goes on release: it'll be called Gladiator"
RogerW | 24.06.19 - 1:32 p.m. | #
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Another one added to the ever-growing list! Thanks
Cornish Cockney | 24.06.19 - 4:04 p.m. | #
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In Easter 1992 my family and I took the now extinct road and stayed at the even-longer extinct Hindhead Youth Hostel inside the punchbowl itself. It was made from three old broom-makers cottages and when we arrived everyone was sitting around the fire getting pissed at the manager's insistence. A very convivial atmosphere and one that would result in instant sackings these days!
daveid76 | 24.06.19 - 4:49 p.m. | #
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I remember driving round the Punch Bowl shortly after the 1987 hurricane. Having been used to lush woodland stretching into the distance, I all but wept to see the trees lying like fallen soldiers after a battle. It took many years to be tidied up and lose the scars...
NickK | 24.06.19 - 7:11 p.m. | #
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Well. Having spent Saturday doing the Loop section 5, and being absolutely blown away by it, I'm definitely going to file this splendid-looking area away for a future trip. Thank you!
mightymouse | 24.06.19 - 8:37 p.m. | #
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The article doesn’t say how you got there (or I’m being dozy and missed it). As I read it, you went to Gibbet Hill first and Haslemere afterwards. Was it by public transport and, if so, how did you get to Gibbet Hill?
Baldassaro | 25.06.19 - 7:15 a.m. | #
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"the hour-long trek to/from Haslemere station"
timbo | 25.06.19 - 7:56 a.m. | #
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Ah, being dozy then. Thanks!
Baldassaro | 27.06.19 - 6:28 a.m. | #
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Did a v nice stroll around here today. Thanks for the tip! Seeing London's towers from Gibbet Hill was an unexpected bonus.
Gunnersaurus | 12.01.20 - 4:06 p.m. | #
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