It has turned hot again, so I chose a route that wasn't too long and
also set off early. The plan was to start in the car park beside the Trundle
and follow the West Sussex literary trail across to the old
Midhurst-Chichester railway down to Chichester, around the medieval walls and
back out through Oaklands park, the outskirt estates to East Lavant then
finally back up Chalkpit lane to the car park.
We drove past the racecourse, and around the side of the trundle until we could
get up the lane t the Trundle car park - a couple of flat parking spots cut out
of the chalk on the south side of the hill.
The entrance to the car park was the end of the public lane, here it continued
as a chalk lane, crossed by four paths. We took the one that is the route of
West Sussex Literary Trails as well as the New Lipchis Way. It headed out along
a broad ridge line through wheat fields.
The Wheat fields ended and we crossed a fence into pasture fields looking down
to the wood lined track bed. We crossed it on a footbridge then dropped down to
the old line. The Literary Trail had split off part way down the slope and would
run parallel for a while
This line (now called Centurion Way) was now a path from West Dean to
Chichester. Also the route of New Lipchis Way - Initially a loose stone path on
the original track bed.
The track was soon tarmacked as we approached a water works, and continued into
the village of Mid Lavant where it merged into the village streets.
The original banking was still in evidence where it had not been built upon.
Leaving the village and crossing under the A286 where the bridge had been
decorated with cut outs
Past the Lavant House School and crossing a junction of paths the side of the
track opened out with a huge open meadow area, and some tables for picnics.
There were some sculptures from gas cylinders and track brackets.
The track started to bend out to get around the outskirts of Chichester, and
past the entrance track to Brandy Hole Copse nature area.
Continuing on the track bed in a relatively straight direction, with occasional
passers-by. To the west was a huge area of housing development filling in
fields.
Crossing over a lane the housing development changed into a wet lands area with
several manufactured pools.
The track bent around the edge of a school and in place of where it woudl have
merged onto the south coast line we took the school drive and continued on the
street beyond.
As the street approached the edge of the city we diverted down a lane that came
out at the front of Chichester college.
Turning away across the front lawn we came to the city walls outside the Bishops
palace, then up the main road around the city centre, following the wall.
We climbed up onto the walls after passing the west gate (no gate remains), and
followed them around the northern side of the city.
Leaving the walls when they stopped at what would have been the northern gate,
we crossed over the A286 in an under pass before walking around the side
of a car park.
We took a road up beside some tennis courts and past the festival theatre into
the playing fields of Oaklands Park. We had a brief water stop for Bertie since
we had not passed many water sources.
Beside the playing fields was a community garden and Orchard, which provided
fruit and veg for the food bank. Leaving by the rugby club car park and
zigzagging into a private road to find the foot path beyond (there seems to be
very few footpaths signs in the outskirts of the city)
Through another park (mowed as a meadow) where there is apparently some
earthworks in the middle, however we kept to the side in an avenue of trees.
A short section up the roads then curving onto a private lane
At the end of the houses we curved around into sweetcorn fields
These changed to grazing fields as we approached East Lavant.
Through the back streets of East Lavant, until we reached the end of Chalkpit
lane - a relatively straight line leading back up to the car park.
The long lane climbed gradually upwards with occasional views showing the Trundle masts and car park on the ridge.
Everything opened out as we got closer to the top, before the final flatter finish.
Above the van was a suitably placed seat to stop and have lunch before returning home. Bertie almost finished off the whole of his water bottle today.
