Taking to the Air
This walk was a success; I walked as intended, I made my destination and there were highlights on the way. My failing boots are going back to the manufacturer for inspection and so I threw on my mountain boots, as the only other footwear I have that could deal with potential wet. It was largely dry underfoot and the boots were super heavy. The walk home was hard but the good stuff easily outweighed a handful of dubious signs, runkled socks and a delayed bus home.
Shoreham by Sea is accessible via a train or two and a return from Henfield via the 100 bus.
I had a really good bird day that started on the banks of the Adur. It did not rain but I had to wait a jolly long time for the sun to break through the rippling blanket of cloud. There were a number of unforeseen jewels on the route, as you will see.
Starting from Shoreham Station, join Brunswick Road south. St Mary's Road will take you to East Street, over the High Street and the Adur Ferry Bridge. Ferry Road wi Returning to thell bring you out on to the beach. I paused to sort a runkle in my overly stiff boots. The plastic boardwalk carries you along the England Coast Path and the western edge of the UNESCO Living Coast. Leave the beach to duck behind the beach huts and down to the edge of Widewater Lagoon. Cross this via the bridge and join the Brighton Road to go back east. Over the roundabout, the footpath appears on the left. Continue through the Adur Recreation Ground and under the railway. On the bank of the Adur, Shoreham Airport or Brighton City Airport, as it wants to be called, finds itself on your left. There are a couple of cafes, a museum and some Art Deco architecture to appreciate. I stopped for an excellent vegan breakfast and went upstairs to see a small painting exhibition.
Leave the airport and rejoin the river. Lapwings and gulls protested my presence. Here you notice the first of quite a few pillboxes and WWII remains. Beyond the pumping station is the Old Shoreham Road. Go west. You can no longer just cross the bypass but need to go west to the roundabout. It was on this diversion that I spotted a green dome, or more obviously, a prominent interpretation board. Intriguing. Cue a left and a left at the roundabout to take a path through the bushes. The whole area has had a lot of road building to cater for more houses. You can creep into what is a Gunnery Dome Trainer.
Back on the path and the road, return to the roundabout and head back east on the far side. Coombes Road turns into The Drive. At the corner, take the footpath in the direction of Lancing College Chapel. The place has been visible almost all of the time so it was disconcerting to find a message on the gate saying it was closed. I can only think this was a legacy of covid times as a warm welcome at the chapel was had. A pupil was doing a fine job on the organ as I awkwardly wandered, after following the signposts. After circuit, I returned to The Drive. I nearly got myself run over by a 4x4, the sound of which was disguised by a leaf-blower. How I hate them. Turn right to join the bridleway to the west. The bridleway turns to a byway, alongside Lancing Ring Nature Reserve. I took a wander around the chalk pits and to the beech trees. As you leave the trees, the views open up to the sea, across the flinty fields. Take the footpath towards the Cross Dyke but turn right and then left on to the bridleway. Steep Down is steeper on the far side. Bag thr trig after a false summit.
Rejoin the byway. Just after you meet the road is a bridleway and The South Downs Way, both on the right. Take either as they will merge after Annington Hill. At this point, there is a triangle plantation of beech trees. You can visit. Beyond, pigs all the way to the Adur. The road will take you to Botolphs. Pass the Downs Link and reach the river to cross it. Go north on the Shoreham Road and cross over to ascend the Beeding Hill. It is not difficult to navigate and bicycles guide your route on this major path. A hot air balloon led me east to the Youth Hostel and radio masts. As I descended to Edburton Hill, a tear in the cloud admitted some afternoon light. Take the footpath down as it winds north, crossing the Edburton Road. Beyond the car seller, go left at the corner of the field.
Enter Longlands Wood and at the crossroads between this and Tottington Wood, go north. My ankles were suffering on this last push to South Tottington Sands. I noise made me look up to find a handful of plump guinea-fowl very cross at my arrival. Ignore the map but follow the signs on the ground to leave the farm westward. Almost immediately go north. Another notice told me the footpath was closed due to an unsafe bridge and that there was no alternative route. Having the confidence to ignore this and no inclination to extend things at this late juncture, I ploughed on. I can confirm that it is the second FB that has an issue and that a pleasant detour, (my original intention), can be made through Woods Mill Nature Reserve.
At the Shoreham Road, go south and then west on the footpath by the stream. At the first opportunity, go north over Spring Hill and directly to Barrow Hill, to the right of the Rothery Field. A short way up the High Street and past the garage, I waited for the next bus, having watched an earlier one pass me after Woods Mill.
It was very difficult to walk after the tardy bus but I did and my legs were happily hurting.
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