RoutesHiking trails & RoutesUnited KingdomEnglandSouth East EnglandHampshireEast HampshireRowlands Castle
Stansted Forest – Stansted House loop from Rowlands Castle
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesUnited KingdomEnglandSouth East EnglandHampshireEast HampshireRowlands Castle
Stansted Forest – Stansted House loop from Rowlands Castle
Moderate
4.9
(15)
55
hikers
Stansted Forest – Stansted House loop from Rowlands Castle
02:31
9.46km
100m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: April 29, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Waypoints
A
Start point
Train Station
Get Directions
1
224 m
Bumblebee Café, Rowlands Castle
Highlight • Cafe
The Bumblebee Cafe at Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, England. This is a traditional village pub, just off the village green of Rowlands Castle. It offers freshly brewed coffee, tea and a variety of soft drinks, as well as delicious cakes, breakfast, brunch and lunch.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
1.17 km
Lady Mary Bessborough Memorial Plantation
Highlight • Historical Site
This plantation will be dedicated to the memory of Lady Mary Bessborough, wife of the 10th Earl of Bessborough who was an American. She worked tirelessly for the good of people on and around the Stansted estate and for the Stansted Park Foundation when it was set up in 1883 until her death in 2013.
As a fitting link, the small clump of oak to the south of this area was planed by Havant Girl Guides in November 1970. This was to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the Guides movement and a plaque to this effect was unveiled by Lady Bessborough who was very involved with them at the time.
As a fitting link, the small clump of oak to the south of this area was planed by Havant Girl Guides in November 1970. This was to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the Guides movement and a plaque to this effect was unveiled by Lady Bessborough who was very involved with them at the time.
Tip by
3
1.37 km
Stansted Forest
Highlight • Forest
Look out for the deer in the late evening (or at any time for that matter).
Tip by
4
1.75 km
Flight Sergeant Sigurd Gerhardt Jenssen Memorial, Stansted Forest
Highlight • Monument
Lest we Forget
In Memory of Flight Sergeant Sigurd Gerhardt Jenssen, 129 (Mysore) Squadron
On Armistice Day, 11th November 2017, we remember Norwegian Flight Lieutenant Sigurd Jenssen who died when his Spitfire crashed at this spot on 19th August 1942. Although his body was recovered from here, his burial place is at present unknown but efforts are being made to find him.
"For at vi aldri skal glemme ham"
Sgt Jenssen, a Norwegian pilot, joined the RAFVR and flew with 129 (Mysore) Squadron which was based at Thorney Island. The events relating to Stansted centre around the Dieppe Raid of 19th August 1942. This was a dark period in the war, Nazi Germany was extremely strong, occupying most of Europe. Singapore had fallen in January and we were faring badly in North Africa having lost Tobruk in June. The Germans were well entrenched along the continental coast and in Europe our activities were restricted to Commando raids.
On the 18 August, 129 Squadron were on a sortie in the Cherbourg area when Sgt Jenssen's aircraft was hit and most of the port aileron was shot away making the aircraft very difficult to fly and very vulnerable. He successfully made it back to base at RAF Thorney even though the returning squadron was pursued to within 30 miles of the coast by a number of FW-190's. To quote the Operations Record Book Sat Jensen "made a brilliant landing in spite of this."
On the 19" August the air activity was in support of the Dieppe Raid (Operation Jubilee). The object of the operation was to carry out a "raid in force" to see whether a channel port could be taken and held for a short period of time i.e. 48 hours. It was carried out by a predominantly Canadian force comprising some 5000 Canadians, 1000 British and 50 US Rangers. It was very costly for the Canadians 3367 of whom were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. The role of the RAF was to achieve air superiority over the area and to attack defensive positions.
129 Squadron carried out four sorties that day, the first involving only two aircraft which attacked a lighthouse which was being used as an observation post for the defending gun positions.
The second sortie was carried out by 12 aircraft, with the objective of destroying gun position "Hess" to the W of Dieppe which was causing major problems on the invasion beach. The guns were successfully silenced.
Sot Jenssen did not take part in this probably due to the damage to his aircraft resulting from the previous day's activity. He did however take part in the third sortie. This was probably not in his own aircraft, because the previous day's damage was considered unrepairable on site. So he was probably flying one of two planes borrowed from 130 Squadron. The objective of the third sortie was to provide cover for the "Cannon" Hurricane round attack aircraft of 43 Squadron while they attacked gun position "Bismarck on the Eastern headland at Dieppe. The Operations book states that there was no "interference" and all the Hurricanes were safely escorted back. Sgt Jensen also took part in the fourth sortie which was to provide air cover for a flotilla of A.L.B. (Assault Landing Boats) returning from Dieppe. The weather had closed down by the time they were due to land and the cloud base was down to 500ft or less. Pilots from the squadron landed wherever they could at various local bases e.g. Tangmere, Ford, Westhampnett as well as their home base Thorney. Sadly, Sgt Jenssen didn't make it back and crashed in Stansted Forest. The crash took place very close to the Ladies Ride in the forest and it was possible that he we attempting to land there.
The Canadian Battle Training School was located in the Sling and surrounding forest; personnel from the camp were therefore at hand and were first on the scene. They recovered Sgt Jenssen's body and effects from the site. This is described in the Training School's unit war diary.
"At approx. 1630 hrs a single seater fighter plane crashed in Stansted Forest map ref. Sheet 132 1" to 1mile 178308. It appeared that the pilot was attempting a crash landing, as he landed in a narrow avenue bordered on either side by dense forest. The plane was a complete wreck and the pilot was killed instantly. The local police and C.T.S were notified and a guard placed on the site of the accident. Articles recovered from the dead pilot included:
1 revolver Smith & Wesson No 836343, 2000 francs in notes, 2 maps, 1 portion of rubber, these articles being in a cloth envelope marked with the name CUNLIFFE. Also a portion of Mae West jacket, 1 fountain pen, 1 pencil, 2 keys and 3 pieces of gold chain.
At 2100 hrs, these articles were handed over to F/Lt S Bull, RAF Thorney who, with. another officer arranged for the removal of the body."
The fact that the articles were in an envelope marked CUNLIFFE would seem to confirm that Sot Jensen had been flying one of the aircraft which were on loan from 130 Squadron, whether this had any influence in the incident we will never know.
So, this is the story of yet another brave young man who lost his life in Stansted Forest It is said that for many years a wreath was placed at the crash site by an unknown person.
Brian Tomkinson
If anyone has any further information - please contact:
history@rowlandscastle.com
In Memory of Flight Sergeant Sigurd Gerhardt Jenssen, 129 (Mysore) Squadron
On Armistice Day, 11th November 2017, we remember Norwegian Flight Lieutenant Sigurd Jenssen who died when his Spitfire crashed at this spot on 19th August 1942. Although his body was recovered from here, his burial place is at present unknown but efforts are being made to find him.
"For at vi aldri skal glemme ham"
Sgt Jenssen, a Norwegian pilot, joined the RAFVR and flew with 129 (Mysore) Squadron which was based at Thorney Island. The events relating to Stansted centre around the Dieppe Raid of 19th August 1942. This was a dark period in the war, Nazi Germany was extremely strong, occupying most of Europe. Singapore had fallen in January and we were faring badly in North Africa having lost Tobruk in June. The Germans were well entrenched along the continental coast and in Europe our activities were restricted to Commando raids.
On the 18 August, 129 Squadron were on a sortie in the Cherbourg area when Sgt Jenssen's aircraft was hit and most of the port aileron was shot away making the aircraft very difficult to fly and very vulnerable. He successfully made it back to base at RAF Thorney even though the returning squadron was pursued to within 30 miles of the coast by a number of FW-190's. To quote the Operations Record Book Sat Jensen "made a brilliant landing in spite of this."
On the 19" August the air activity was in support of the Dieppe Raid (Operation Jubilee). The object of the operation was to carry out a "raid in force" to see whether a channel port could be taken and held for a short period of time i.e. 48 hours. It was carried out by a predominantly Canadian force comprising some 5000 Canadians, 1000 British and 50 US Rangers. It was very costly for the Canadians 3367 of whom were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. The role of the RAF was to achieve air superiority over the area and to attack defensive positions.
129 Squadron carried out four sorties that day, the first involving only two aircraft which attacked a lighthouse which was being used as an observation post for the defending gun positions.
The second sortie was carried out by 12 aircraft, with the objective of destroying gun position "Hess" to the W of Dieppe which was causing major problems on the invasion beach. The guns were successfully silenced.
Sot Jenssen did not take part in this probably due to the damage to his aircraft resulting from the previous day's activity. He did however take part in the third sortie. This was probably not in his own aircraft, because the previous day's damage was considered unrepairable on site. So he was probably flying one of two planes borrowed from 130 Squadron. The objective of the third sortie was to provide cover for the "Cannon" Hurricane round attack aircraft of 43 Squadron while they attacked gun position "Bismarck on the Eastern headland at Dieppe. The Operations book states that there was no "interference" and all the Hurricanes were safely escorted back. Sgt Jensen also took part in the fourth sortie which was to provide air cover for a flotilla of A.L.B. (Assault Landing Boats) returning from Dieppe. The weather had closed down by the time they were due to land and the cloud base was down to 500ft or less. Pilots from the squadron landed wherever they could at various local bases e.g. Tangmere, Ford, Westhampnett as well as their home base Thorney. Sadly, Sgt Jenssen didn't make it back and crashed in Stansted Forest. The crash took place very close to the Ladies Ride in the forest and it was possible that he we attempting to land there.
The Canadian Battle Training School was located in the Sling and surrounding forest; personnel from the camp were therefore at hand and were first on the scene. They recovered Sgt Jenssen's body and effects from the site. This is described in the Training School's unit war diary.
"At approx. 1630 hrs a single seater fighter plane crashed in Stansted Forest map ref. Sheet 132 1" to 1mile 178308. It appeared that the pilot was attempting a crash landing, as he landed in a narrow avenue bordered on either side by dense forest. The plane was a complete wreck and the pilot was killed instantly. The local police and C.T.S were notified and a guard placed on the site of the accident. Articles recovered from the dead pilot included:
1 revolver Smith & Wesson No 836343, 2000 francs in notes, 2 maps, 1 portion of rubber, these articles being in a cloth envelope marked with the name CUNLIFFE. Also a portion of Mae West jacket, 1 fountain pen, 1 pencil, 2 keys and 3 pieces of gold chain.
At 2100 hrs, these articles were handed over to F/Lt S Bull, RAF Thorney who, with. another officer arranged for the removal of the body."
The fact that the articles were in an envelope marked CUNLIFFE would seem to confirm that Sot Jensen had been flying one of the aircraft which were on loan from 130 Squadron, whether this had any influence in the incident we will never know.
So, this is the story of yet another brave young man who lost his life in Stansted Forest It is said that for many years a wreath was placed at the crash site by an unknown person.
Brian Tomkinson
If anyone has any further information - please contact:
history@rowlandscastle.com
Tip by
5
2.22 km
Stansted Forest
Highlight • Forest
6
4.12 km
Christ Church, Forestside
Highlight • Historical Site
7
7.14 km
Stansted House
Highlight • Historical Site
Beautiful mansion set up a driveway that just goes on for ever, open to public, check web page for details.
Tip by
8
7.17 km
View of Stansted Park
Highlight • Viewpoint
B
9.46 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
4.45 km
2.25 km
2.16 km
577 m
Surfaces
3.88 km
3.29 km
1.53 km
577 m
159 m
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Elevation
Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.
Highest point (110 m)
Lowest point (30 m)
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Tuesday 30 June
25°C
13°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Comments
Want to know more?
Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.
Sign up for free