The weather was overcast with slight drizzle, however it was supposed to clear
up later and with such optimism Bertie and I headed to the south downs to walk
another section of Stane street, taking in Halnaker windmill, and returning
along the side of the Goodwood estate. We parked at the north end of
Selhurstpark hill forested area, along the Droke Lane, a place where we had
passed on our last visit to Stane street.
We left the van in the car park and set off to the East along the edge of the
woods.
Leaving the edge of the wood in a knight's move we worked our way up a slight
valley and across to the eastern edge of the woods.
South along the edge of the woods to the Goodwood racecourse road.
A short section along the road to the junction with the A285. Across the
junction and down a lane leading to Eartham wood.
Into the depths of Eartham wood - a national Trust area, where we followed a
firebreak track south to meet Stane Street where it exited the woods
Leaving Eartham wood, we crossed the backroad and continued along the line of
the roman road. the path was on a raised bank.
Dropping down to the A285 through some scrubby areas on the edge of crops
fields. Then we had to walk down the road for a short while.
At a layby (alternate parking for the windmill) we left the road as it curved
away, to continue on the line of the roman road alongside some crop fields.
At
this point the drizzle turned more to rain and I paused to put on a rain jacket,
however walking alongside the crops field soaked my trousers and boots - which
had survived the worst to this point.
The windmill was reached up a lane heading away from the roman road, then a
track through a grass field.
The views from the top were limited by the low cloud.
We did not hang around for long and were soon heading back down to the roman
road.
Back at the roman road, with pretty views down the sunken lane.
At the layby where we crossed the A285, was a sign showing a walk linking the
windmill with Boxgrove Priory, and so We took a little diversion to follow it
before picking up the original route in Halnaker village.
The crops field sled onto Tinwood lane, before turning sharply alongside rows of
vines
Beyond the vines we could see the remains of the priory in the trees beside the
existing church.
Continuing around the church and up the street in Boxgrove. We did not go up the
third side of the Priory, and then around in a figure of eight, but followed the
road up to Halnaker
Crossign the A285 once more we picked up the road leading to Halnaker house, the
remains of the old house could be seen across a poppy field
Still int he same direction we passed the new Halnaker house - looking very
different.
The track ended as it entered into Halnaker park and turned into a well used
bridle path. We took a side path to cut west to a back road.
My trousers had dried off from the wet grass earlier, although it was still
raining. However when I saw the path alongside the back road I chose to walk
along the road and stay drier.
We picked up a path cutting the corner to Counter's gate car park, through a
field and into more plantations
The plantation track ended at a scrubby field with a myriad of small paths in
all directions, and we have to navigate up to the road junction.
We crossed
over the racecourse road and picked up the Monarch's way trail heading through
Park Hill.
The trail left the woods and track into grass fields looking over the valley to
East Dean
Coming out onto the road south out of East Dean, we climbed back up the hill
(presumably King Charles spent a night at the village and then went back up to
the ridge line). We followed the road until we could jump into a field beside
it.
More scrubby woods and another field, which only served to soak my trousers once
more.
Through a barley field (with two different heights to the crop). We did disturb
a deer here but I could not get the camera out in time before it disappeared.
Still following the Monarch's Way into the Selhurst park woods, and then a
re-soaking as we crossed a field to the racecourse road
On the other side of the road we continued following Monarch's way into Halnaker
park plantation again
We followed the Monarch's way for a while before leaving it to work our way up to the racecourse road once again.
Crossing over we picked up a bridle path heading back to Droke lane car park.
Dropping down into the East Dean valley with views across to the fields beyond.
We ended up at the car park and the van - very wet but ready for lunch.
