Route Canal

HORSHAM TO PULBOROUGH VIA HORSHAM PARK, WARNHAM PARK, SLINFOLD, THE WEY AND ARUN CANAL AND THE MENS

It's a Friday walk on a Thursday. A camping trip at the weekend saw me back at Horsham but going south rather than heading to the North Downs as planned. If I'm going to head to Leith Tower, I'll need a Friday, otherwise I won't get to the top. This time, I had everything I needed except a firm route but a little on the fly devising, resulted in a very reasonable walk through this watery and woody landscape.

A bright start descended into misty drizzle which rather destroyed my enjoyment of the final dash to the station, particularly the Nature Reserve of The Mens but then the mushrooms wouldn't be there without the rain.

Horsham can be reached by train via Gatwick or Three Bridges in under an hour,

From the station front entrance, cross North Street and enter Horsham Park with the early joggers and dog walkers. Head to the northwest corner. I paused at the pond, where a family of swans were lounging. Onto North parade, the B2237, follow this as it becomes the Warnham Road. On the right is Warnham Nature Reerve. I had not read the memo and discovered that the place is not open until 10 with an admission of £4. Nevertheless, the footpath leads away northwest from the car park. This path traverses the golf course. Take care and cross the A24 to the edge of Warnham Park. You'll walk through a noticeable avenue of trees amongst the wood, until you reach the tarmac.

You have a choice here of bridleway to the north or the West Sussex Literary Trail. Both paths effectively skirt this private deer park. I decided to go south as I thought I might see more deer in this direction. Much of the views are fenced off and Robin Hood Lane is a bit tricky to walk along but eventually you cross the corner of deer territory. This is the Sussex Literary Trail. Glimpses of the herd were available to the right but I guess they could be anywhere in this area. Crossing Bailing Hill, you get further opportunity to see red deer up close and this was a surprise.

Over Byfleets Lane and then Strood Lane, the path continues at the edge of the fields and thought the grounds of Farlington School. The striking purple and heavy scent of Phacelia Tancetifolia hit my senses. The plant is grown as a green manure.

Cross the Guildford Road and follow the solid track of Hawkhurst Lane. Follow the trail as it bears south up the hill by Rowfold Farm. The footpath will reach Slinfold at the church. Continue south on The Street and Hayes Lane and you'll reach The Downs Link. Turn west. Under some bridges that would have crossed the railway, cross Stane Street and at the next bridge, go right to ascend and then cross back over it to the south. The path will follow the edge of the golf course before entering the woods. Bear left to reach Haven Road. Go south on it and go west into the woods again. As I exited the wood into the cow field, Some frisky bullocks joined me at quite a pace. Rather than cross the field as intended, I hugged the fence and did all the things, like making myself big to no avail. They bullied me out through a gate in the north west of the field. Not where I wanted to be. I followed the path on the other side and used the road past the pub to bring me back to Marles Lane via Okehurst Road. If you are luckier, cross straight over and go south and west to meet the same road.

Marles Lane is long and will take you past a lake. Leave the bridleway at Leverance Farm to enter Great Wood. Back on Okehurst Road, go south. Walk through Okehurst on the bridleway and you'll reach the Arun. Woods turn to water as you join the Wey South Path. From plotting this on a map, it is clear that the flood plain does just that and it may be that your journey is interrupted along the way. Reaching Newbridge Road, I was famished. Google eventually pointed to The Farm Shop, just to the west. 

 

Returning to the canal path, continue to Hayburn, cross the river and join the Sussex Diamond Way. Along this section you'll see many restored bridges and canal trappings of interest. Bear left through the gate before you reach the paddocks of Shipbourne Farm and you'll reach the Fittlworth Road. Go north along it, west and then south through the cow field, parallel with the road. Take the footbridge into the woods and you'll be at The Mens. Bearing south, on an unassuming path off the main road to continue of the long distance path. This wild Common, turned woods contains Crimbourne stud and Hawkhurst Court. The latter was used as the Canadian Army headquarters in WWII. In Hammonds Wood, go east at the crossroads. Take care to stay on the path at Arundel Holt before reaching the Horsebridge Hill. Go south. You are back on the Wey South past. At Pallingham Quay Farm, cross the river and follow the track to Coombelands Lane. Further south, the path leaves the road and continues alongside it and next to The Gallops and racing stables. Continue off road on the footpath to eventually to rejoin the road to cross the railway. Immediately follow the railway south and you'll meet Pulborough Station.

You can make your way back via Three Bridges or Gatwick. The drizzle had really set in with a stiff breeze and I was all the things you'd expect at the end of a 20 miler. Happy to be home bound.