Rise above it

 BURGESS HILL TO HENFIELD VIA WOLSTONBURY HILL, DEVILS DYKE, TRULEIGH HILL, TOTTINGTON MOUNT AND WOODS MILL

At risk of beginning every one of these posts with a weather report, I'll start by saying this was mainly a dry day after a series of very wet ones. The ground was a seeping oedematous mass, swollen with Spring water and awash with chalky brown hues. Once again, I attempted to clear the viscous slurry and ascend the grassy slopes of The Downs. Problem is, there's quite a distance to cover before we get there and we all know that it only takes one misplaced hoof to ruin your day. Fear not, I had a lovely outing and if the bus hadn't been tardy, a well-timed one too.

The London Road stop is both the start and end of this walk. This route skips Newtimber Hill and a section of muddy field and wood in favour of New Way Lane, because I was traumatised by Cow Down on this walk. Otherwise, the first bit of the route is similar but the exit is also inland.

Begin by taking the westward route of the Green Circle at the roundabout. At Hammond's Meadow go south, past the Farm and over the Mill Stream. Keep going south past the old Golf course and swing west  past Wickham Farm to meet Belmont Lane. A little further, go south again. I attempted a little jog here - I don't know why. Cross Wickham Hill and carry on until you have the option to go west, after the wood, to meet New Way Lane. Wolstonbury Hill is quite an attractive hill and views open up here. This is your tarmac route to Wolstonbury Farm.

Go west onto the footpath as the lane goes east. Continue south and up. This is a steep and direct route but you can make the excuse to stop at several points because the views north are good. Go bag that trig and look to the east for Jack and Jill windmills and in all other directions.

Carry on a little to the southeast to join the east/west bridleway. Go through the metal gate and follow the edge of the quarry. After a brief hill respite from mud, I sighed as I observed the chalky puddle vortex beyond. Further on, I locked eyes with the cow-crafters of this unpleasant trail bottleneck on Round Hill. I'll admit, having traversed the boot-sucking mess, I got the wrong side of the hedge and had to descend the grass to the path below. The quarry was very busy with a toddler's construction vehicle dream viewing. I'm not sure whether I dodged a bullet because the slippery chalk path is quite steep and I only joined it at the end.

Turn right, then left and through the tunnel under the A23. The echo was good in here so I had a sing. Exit and turn right. Join the path on the left hand side and cross the ditch. Splosh through the fields westward until St John the Evangelist, Newtimber pops up. Toilets and water are available and picnics welcomed at this wonderfully accommodating church. Through the graveyard and onto Church Lane, go south. A footpath into the field on the right takes you past Newtimber Wood. You'll exit at the roundabout.

At the cross ways, carry on straight over and continue on the waymarked path until you have the option to go right. Go over the footbridge and eventually exit onto Poynings Road at the nursery. Go a little south and join the footpath by the clocktowered building that looks a little out of place. Cross the stream and continue on the concrete path all the way to the Royal Oak Pub. Turn right and join Dyke Lane to go up. Leave the bridleway and continue up the steps. You'll gain height quickly before the final push takes you on the footpath to the track leading to the hill top pub. Views abound and on a sunny day, have your picnic. Take a circuit to see the Dyke itself, if you wish.

After refreshment, join the South Downs Way by going west and following the ridge. It's easy to ignore that there is a hillfort visible in the form of ditches that surround the pub. Also, bag another trig point on the left of the path. and directly on the western line of said hillfort.

I missed the opportunity to take in some more ancient remains before Edburton Hill and Fulking Escarpment, in the form of a Motte and Bailey and a tumulus on the path to the right. You'll pass a radio station and the youth hostel. Descend on the northern side of the hill, circuiting the race track below in Room Bottom and crossing Tottington Mount. Watery views west are of the Adur. Descend to Edburton Road and take the path behind Tottington Manor. Continue north to cross the woods and straightforwardly to Sands Lane. Circuit the farm buildings, ignoring the eastward footpath but backtrack until you can go north into the field beyond. I vaulted gate as indicated on the map to join the slightly more convenient footpath provided. Footbridges take you over a tributary of the Adur and past Little Oreham Farm. You'll reach a Oreham Common road and bear left. Once you join Horn Lane, go left on this busier road with care and you'll reach Woods Mill. Worth a wander if you have time.

I reluctantly continued as I could reach Henfield in time for the bus. There is a stop at Woods Mill if you prefer to finish your journey here. It is more easily accessed if you go around the front of the building. Carry on south on Shoreham Road until you reach the tributary again and follow its bank west. North of West Mill Farm, go north until you reach a boardwalk and take it east briefly before continuing north and up Spring Hill. At the recreation ground and the beacon follow the hedge on the right to exit onto Henfield High Street. The 100 bus will take you back to Burgess Hill and the 17 to Brighton. The bus was a good forty minutes late.