The Quest for England
Short videos and related content
Today I am climbing the steep slope of Box Hill, a summit of the North Downs in Surrey, approximately 19 miles south-west of London. The hill takes its name from the ancient box woodland found on the steepest west-facing chalk slopes overlooking the River Mole. The western part of the hill is owned and managed […]
The lovely Julia Hartley and myself are taking a stroll in Small Dole, near Henfield in West Sussex. The object, to get down to the river Adur. We don’t quite make that but we do discover some fabulous ponies on the way. Julia is in her element. My videos are funded 100% by people like […]
Julia and and I are out for a woodland walk. We visit Tottington Wood in Small Dole near Henfield in West Sussex This wood is a very good example of a semi-ancient woodland dating back to at least 1600 and contains a fine example of an oak tree thought to be between 250 to 300 […]
My mother died this week, which sadly puts a downer on some of the posts, but Julia kept me upbeat when filming in Tottington Woods. Previously you had to be a patron a Patron of The Bald Explorer to receive the behind-the-scenes video of the week’s activities. It is now made public for all. Another […]
Hedgelaying is a country skill practiced mainly in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with many regional variations in style and technique. Hedgelaying is the process of bending and partially cutting through the stems of a line of shrubs or small trees near ground level and arching the stems without breaking them, so they can grow […]
The West Grinstead and District Ploughing and Agricultural Society, established in 1871, has been holding shows for over 125 years and is very pro active in promoting the interests of the local farming community. Today I meet up with Richard Verrall, farmer and woodland owner, who takes me around the ploughing match and explains the […]