Horse, Cow and Hen
This is probably one of the most unreasonable walks I have done, being both lowkey for highlights and a whopping marathon distance. This said, it mops up some pleasant continuous bridleway through woods and pasture, just on the western edge of the High Weald National Landscape and north of the South Downs National Park. The day was sunny and hot and I spent the last ten miles feeling a bit too thirsty, the canopy of the trees, very welcome. The scattering of settlements could have provided refreshment but there was no leeway on this overly long journey.
If you're mad enough to go the full distance, you'd probably want to avoid the last road section. This could easily be resolved by halving the entire route and doing it better or following the river to the Downs Link. To be sure, there were some very enjoyable sections in the Adur Valley and what is largely Low Weald. The drier weather ensured that it did not become boggy underfoot as I neared Henfield, if anything, the hardened ruts were more leg-breaking on my tired limbs. Indeed, I have not complained about mud in weeks.
Horsham can be reached in fifty minutes by train from Burgess Hill. The return is by the 100 bus from Henfield. The timetable is little help as the service is quite variable but you can catch the Burgess Hill bus from either side of the road as it turns at the roundabout. You can get the 17 all the way to Patcham to swap back northwards, if you're desperate.
The last time I left Horsham station to climb Tower Hill, it had been frosty. Today the pretty young cows lazed about in the sunshine. Turn south along North Street, through the market to The Causeway. Navigate round St Mary's Church, over the Arun and the railway line. Then, take the path to the bench in the top corner of the field and enter the woods a little on the left. You will emerge into Denne Park. Head to the boundary fence to the right of the house and alongside the driveway approach. The gate is a little to the right of that marked on the map but crosses to the edge of the Horsham golf course. Top marks to the club for guiding me south through the green, although the finger posts are all a bit sad and saggy-looking. You will reach a byway going east west.
When you hit the A24, don't be alarmed but head north to a crossing point. Follow the path through the trees and parallel the carriageway going south on the Blakes Farm Road. The footpath on the right will take you through the warehouses to the Worthing Road to go south again. Finally, the bridleway on the right leads you through to Two Mile Ash Road and the playing fields of Christ's hospital. You begin to see the towers of the Chapel and school buildings. The joggers thickened. Stick to the bridleway and go left on the Downs Link.
At the first opportunity, leave the Link and turn right to cross the existing level crossing. Sharpenhurst Hill gives you the first real opportunity of views and the trig is just south of the path next to the radio mast. The path continues alongside Shelley's Wood which is private. On Weston's Hill, turn right and then left to get to Itchingfield. At Fulfords Road, continue on the bridleway to loop round to the diminutive Priest's House and the church. Exit back on to Fulfords Road and go south on what is the West Sussex Literary Trail.
Leave the route when the path forks with another bridleway, to get in another grand school building in the shape of Muntham House. Return to the trail via the back fence and leave diagonally again, to see the first one of Sumners Ponds at Barns Green. This is a fishery and campsite and was all a bustle of activity. Turn right at the end of the footpath to see the cows. I stopped at the cafe to overlook Sumners Lake.
What ever you choose to do, return to the Literary Trail that passes between the water and into Vale Wood. On Valewood Lane take the bridleway to cross the tracks again. Bear right to leave on the footpath.. This brings you through some delightful pasture and to bear left at Courtlands Farm. A little up Emms Lane is another path going directly through the static home site. Go straight through to Trout Lane, north a little and bear left through St John's Farm. You will enter Madgeland Wood. Turn right when you meet the bridleway.
This is now easy navigation on the wide drive through the woods on the Dragons Estate. Alongside is the Knepp Estate and both are owned by parts of the Burrell family. Their rewilding project at Knepp is well known but the family have long owned very large areas of Sussex, including the enormous Cowdray Estate. Some of the long-horned cattle roam in this area. Cross the Marlpost Road and continue on the bridleway as it turns south. I past a few horseriding. Join the Sussex Diamond Way at the next junction and stay on it as it moves east and crosses the Shipley Road. Take care at Pollard's Hill as you cross the two lanes of the A24. It is a surprise for car drivers to see pedestrians. North on Bar Lane takes you to Copsale. Ignore the Downs Link and continue to Broadwater Lane and the first bridleway on the right. I was struck by the continuous bridleway through this area and it really is a land of horses. As you walk through to Elliot's Farm, there is a feel of old neoclassical horse farms of Kentucky.
The trail will take us into Nuthurst on Midhurst Street. As I crossed the fields behind Southlodge Hotel which allows its guest to wander this area, I disturbed a deer eating a hedge. On the road, I sat at the lychgate and pressed my back to the cool of the stone. Continue on the bridleway opposite the church, following it round to the right at Crooks Farm. Another undulating route through attractive mixed woodland at Lodgesale Wood that would be very appealing to the cyclist. Over Newells Road, the bridleway goes forth at the edge of Newells Rough. Find the path that will take you back on to the Diamond Way to cross Long Hill at Crabtree. Leave the long distance footpath and rejoin a bridleway opposite through Steep Wood. More rhododendrons. Bear right to take the route on to Spronker's Lane. At the junction, go right on Long House Lane and you'll find yourself back on the Diamond Way going the opposite direction. Leave it at the midway point of the pond at Long House, to go down hill and south.
Cross Pict's Lane and head through the woods towards Cowfold. You will reach the A272 and cross it. The path parallels the road before joining the drive of Eastlands Farm. At the footpath junction, turn left then south again to Baldwin's and Crateman's Farm. The actual path takes you on the edge of the property where you can go south to traverse the field and the Cowfold Stream. As you duck through a brambly tunnel fit for fairy folk, you are appropriately not far from Pooks Farm. Whether the etymology is one of hay or goblins, I found the travel distinctly mischievous in nature and I tore my shirt. South of Park Farm, rejoin a bridlway which merges with the road at the Rectory. Bear right on the bridleway continuation of Fryland Lane, as it parallels the River Adur. You will be upon Shermanbury Place and the church. An enthusiastic cuckoo narrated my arrival.
I was weary of foot. Take the footpath on the left to cross the Adur and meet the A281 at the Bull Inn at Mock Bridge. A bus passed me as I pondered my onward travel and this encouraged my resolve. I would like to say that I continued with the Adur, joined the Downs Link and made my way in to Henfield to elegantly finish this journey but I didn't do this. I took an awkward walk directly south Henfield's High Street bus stop.
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