This booklet leads you round the short Trail over the heathland of Hindhead, with its magnificent views. The trail was initiated in the centenary year of The National Trust, with support from Haslemere Museum.
The booklet includes the original script, illustrations, and background historical information on people and events involved: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Alfred, Lord Tennyson; John Tyndall; Jonathan Hutchinson; Whitaker Wright; sundry broomsquires, highwaymen, murderers; and of course Sir Robert himself, resident of nearby Haslemere and key founder of The National Trust in 1895.
Suitable for schools/groups or the casual rambler - trail accessible to wheelchairs.
Estimates vary, and nobody really counted, but probably
some 300 people
gathered by the Devil's Punchbowl Hotel at the start of the walk. Sir
Robert Hunter arrived in person, and led the cavalcade on a tour of the
common, stopping at a number of points to tell the assembled company a
little of the history of the area and the personalities who frequented it.
Sometimes this was supplemented by a dramatic scene acted out in front of
the crowd by a small troupe of actors, including several local National
Trust Wardens and the curator of the Haslemere Museum.
Perhaps the most impressive scene was one in which
two highwaymen on horses
suddenly sprang from a side track and held up some unfortunate travellers.
The walkers met in turn Mr & Mrs Tyndall, Sir Jonathan & Mrs Hutchinson,
Lord Tennyson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
a pair of broomsquires
complete with besoms, and of course the unfortunate sailor and his
villainous murderers.