A flexible route today, as the muscles were still recovering from the last
walk to Cranleigh and back. Starting at Lavington common and following the
Serpent's Trail towards Midhurst then turning south towards the Downs, and
returning along the farm land below the rise and returning to the start, or
continuing along a bit further before turning north (this option was not taken
in the end)
Leaving the van in the NT car park, and walking over the road and through a gate
into the common area on the south side. Picking up the ST very quickly curtesy
of the sculpture.
The common was reconstructed heath land with odd scot's pines standing up above
the gorse and heather.
A pair of early morning deer ran away as we approached, whereas the Belted
Galloway just looked lazily as we passed.
Turning out of the common and along a back road for a while. Then turning up a
new path (diversion around a new build house), and finding the ST as it
continued in the woods.
The ST markings deviate from the map route as it climbs through the trees of
Graffham common, past another sculpture at the start of the nature reserve.
crossing into the nature reserve and climbing up to the top of Gallows Hill. The
top had been cleared with views north.
Still deviating form the mapped route we rolled off the top of the hill and down
to a back road, crossing over and into the woods on the other side.
The woods here have been de-scrubbed leaving just the large trees. The trail
wound through the trees in an interesting course.
Alongside Graffham court looking across to Ambersham common on the other side of
the the stream. Then into the woods once more working down and across to the
edge of the common.
A steep climb up the slope of Ambersham common, rising to the open heathland on
the top plateau.
Dropping down the other side, bypassing the car park to cross the road into
Heyshott common.
Heyshott common is more heathland, however predominately grasses. We left the ST
as we approached the edge of the common and followed a driveway down to a back
road.
Crossing the road and into a huge crop field. The track cut over the middle in a
vague trace and then through another to approach the village of Heyshott.
Walking down the road through the village, past the pub and a row of houses,
before we took the lane to Manor farm
Beyond the farm we followed a chalk track between fields in a straight line
East.
The track ended at a ploughed field where the path climbed up a rolling hill,
then dropped down the other side in a grass field, with views across to
downs.
Continuing East in a straight line through more rolling pasture fields. Towards
the southern edge of the village of Graffham
A zigzag through the village and then up the driveway for Calloways farm
(through a white electric gate). Up past the farm and along a lane leading from
it
Staying with the lane to the East until reaching the lodge for Lavington stud
farm. Here we turned north up the stone driveway
Leaving the driveway when it turned East and continuing north into the village
of Upper Norwood.
Through a bluebell wood (the first of today) and then up the driveway to Lower Barn, with Lavington Common beyond.
Into the common then working our way off-piste around to the track , which saved a journey through the farm yard. Once up on the common proper, we picked up the track leading back to the car park.
Back at the van in the car park, for refreshment and a rest.
