Resprung

AMBERLEY TO MIDHURST VIA HOUGHTON, MADEHURST, GLATTING BEACON, DUNCTON HILL, LAVINGTON COMMON, SELHAM, HALFWAY BRIDGE, LODSWORTH AND COWDRAY PARK

Back at Amberley again, I derived a path to Midhurst and yet another variation between the two. Having been a bit miffed to have missed the first sunny day of Spring, being laid up with some kind of virus, I considered this Friday walk on a Thursday my opportunity to join the party. Pushing myself a little harder, I finally lifted myself up the chalky trails of the South Downs National Park. This week, away from the bulk of the mud I walked in favour of sandy heath, although some of the route choices were more inspired by a mopping up of different ways, rather than choosing peak paths. It seems a shame, for instance to not have included Bignor Hill as a natural high but this was a mission of completeness and some of the cowy areas and roady bits, you could probably avoid. When we've endured weeks of drizzle, it was a little unfair that Friday's outlook was the one grey outlier in a week of sun and hence the daily cheat.

Amberley can be reached via a change of train at Three Bridges. The return from Midhurst can be made via a bus towards Worthing which stops at Pulborough Station for the return train. 

From Amberley Station, exit to the junction, cross under the railway bridge and over New Barn Road, to join the bank of the Arun on the South Downs Way. A temporary lake had formed in the field for the geese to enjoy. Cross the bridge and join the bridleway as you leave the west bank. Go south on the Houghton Lane, leaving the SDW and into Houghton. At the junction turn right carefully and pass the historic George & Dragon pub. We are now on the route shared by Charles II as he fled to the coast. This is the Monarch's Way and the pub is said to have provided refreshments. Leave the road and follow the signs that take you over the hill.

Cross the A29 and immediately turn left to parallel it south to the junction known as Whiteways. This place was once beloved by bikers and had a cafe and toilets. I'd never been here and this was a mission to find out what is left. Th cafe is no more but, naturally, the public footpath is accessible, the car park appears to still be in use and other paths in Houghton Forest are still used by pedal bikers. There was digger at the far end of car park and I sheepishly walked through to the forest road (currently closed to motor traffic) going west. There has been a lot of forestry going on and many trees felled beside the tarmac to Lower Farm. Continue to Madehurst and The Pig. There are signs about that indicate curated walks from this hotel, restaurant and spa treatment destination. Acutely yearning for such an experience, I admired the reclining furniture looking west over the vineyard.

The road bears north and carry on following it until it morphs into a stony track. At the crossroads a little beyond Stammers, take the bridleway west and through Stammers Wood. I came head to head with some kind of tilling machine as I crossed the field after and then entered the National Trust access land in the wood. Go north and then west at Gumber Corner, on the bridleway which is the Monarch's Way again. You will reach the junction at Stane Street. Southwest you can see the elevated road that would take you into Chichester. Instead, leave this and follow the edge of the trees going west on the bridleway. Take the next right on an unmarked bridleway. This is the National Trust managed Slindon Estate. Take a rest at the bench and admire the views.

Ignore the SDW and continue north to the masts at Glatting Beacon. This is a high point on the walk. Just south of the masts is a bowl barrow and we have walked beside many ancient earthworks. There are numerous' cross dykes' for undefined purposes, lost in the passage of time. Despite the brightness, distances were hazy but our northward travel takes us along a ridge with the lower lying land to the east and Bignor. Now bear left at the bridleway junction to carry on north and over another dyke and beside a large barrow in the trees. Descend this hill as Farm hill stretches before you. The path continues over Barlavington Down and enters the woods next to a large barrow and the map reveals the 'Petworth Listening Post', a leftover from WWII. Forestry operation were continuing but I was able to proceed. At the next bridleway, turn left and at the junction with the West Sussex Literary Trail, turn left.

Cross the A289 and turn right a little to take the road to the quarry. Opposite the byway and the continuation of the WSLT, take the vague track through the trees to join the east-leading footpath. I missed a trick by descending too early. Be sure to keep to the path by the road for the car park and viewpoint at Duncton Hill, looking out over Fryan's Hanger. Rejoin the lower path that has you descend with not much view to cross the A285. The path opposite goes to Manor Farm. Just before Duncton High Street, a bridge takes you over a stream. Mistletoe filled every tree. Turn right for the Cricketers. I had a lengthy but excellent lunch here.

Walk north, beyond the houses for the next footpath on the left, Into Willett Close. The children at the school were enjoying PE outside, for once. The footpath to Ridlington Farm was a bit wet. Turn left to pass the buildings and continue to Westerlands Farm. Yet another attractive spa, camping, holiday, horse-riding destination and horsebox cafe. I didn't stop. Onward to Lower Barn and north through Lavington Common. The Serpent Trail passes through here and you can briefly follow this out or, as I did, zig zag to the road, go northwest alongside it and cross the junction to take Cathanger Lane. Leave by the bridleway on the left that goes through Main Wood.

At the pond, a swan was very pleased to see me. Cross the tributary to the West Sussex, Rother and bear left to continue north through Fitzlea Wood. At the road, turn right to pass the farm and feel the farminess through to the dismantled railway. The path actually follows the lower track but I took to the higher ground going west. I had to jump in a hedge as the bridleway became muddier and to avoid a tractor and a bailer, on my way to Hurlands Farm. Turn right on the Selham Road and through Selham. This section takes you over the Rother via the 18th Century Lod's Bridge. There was navigation for trade here until 1888. I had intended following the footpath that follows the Rother east a little way but time constraints necessitated a continuation north beside the Lod to Halfway Bridge.

It was lawnmower o' clock and the scent of the Spring mow was potent in the air. Cross into the car park of the pub and observe the mustard Cowdray colours  as you keep north. Leave the bridleway for the footpath directly into Lodsworth, past the sheep. I did stop at the inviting bench, looking south. At the Church turn left on Church Lane and go north through this quaint settlement. At the Hollist Arms, turn left and follow the Sussex Diamond Way on Gills Lane all the way into Midhurst.

You will enter the avenue of trees in Cowdray Park. Round the very wet Steward's Pond and continue along and up onto the golf course. There are some whopping old chestnuts here. Try and follow the line to the A272 and cross it. Now make your way in sight of Cowdray Ruins, to the far side of the polo grounds. Ignore the last section of the Sussex DW and continue to the ruins. The cafe appears to be open. Cross the Rother one last time and the path will take you to the bus stop.

My timing was excellent which is good because it's more of a struggle to get from Midhurst than it should be. I was deeply satisfied the weather and the decision gods had conspired in my favour.