Several days of sub-zero temperatures and although the sun of the
weekend had gone, it was still just cold and cloudy. The ground was completely
frosted, with a bitter wind blowing, so I planned a low level walk along the
Downs link - filling in a section between Christ's Hospital and West
Grinstead. There was a small car park at Copsale opposite a domesticated pub -
the old bridge House Inn.
We parked on the icy slope that represented the car park, next to a couple of
dog walker cars. Then set off south along the disused train line. This section
is very straight and bounded by trees and high hedges.
There was very little to be seen beyond teh tunnel of the old track bed, until
we arrived at the remains of West Grinstead station.
There was an old carriage off to one side beside a relatively large car park. We
continued on past the old platforms and under the A272
Then continuing down the tunnel through the trees.
We passed the point where we joined the track last time and left at the next
path leaving to the west. A bit of confusion around a house where the path had
been rerouted down the driveway, and we crossed the B2135 into the fields
beyond.
We dropped down and across a small stream before crossing another large grass
field to reach Glebe farm
Behind the houses beside the church in the actual village of West Grinstead we
had to cross a couple of stiles, which had top gates, and no dog gate ...
very difficult to negotiate with Bertie having to be manhandled over it.
The path went through the churchyard and around the far side. I made a slight
navigation error here and headed off towards the A24 until I realised and back
tracked before going north.
Across a back road and into open fields - the path a white line through the
frosted field. The path went towards a series of lakes.
The lakes were a series of ponds dropping down the slope. After passing between
then the path continued its way to the trees beyond the fields.
The path disappeared into some woods, before coming out on the drive way up past
a number of expensive horse residences.
Across the A272 and up to another farm complex, up the farm track to a field
before the route got confusing. The signs pointed around a field full of what
looked like luxury hen houses.
The new path worked all around the Newhouse farm, and finally across an arable
field with some struggling cabbages.
Beyond this field we got back on the original track and turned towards the A24,
reaching it across another arable field. Getting over the dual carriageway
involved crossing the central island (the lanes were separated here) on a
crossing road, before we had to go up the verge to get to the footpath.
The scrappy path led up to a gate with a "Bulls in field" sign. I did not quite
understand as we walked into the woods, and out into the fields beyond. Then we
saw a few cattle hanging around on our path. We got by OK, but then the followed
us.
Seeing the rest of the herd I realised they were just gathering together ....
this was Knepp estate and the rewilding project. Classic wild herd response.
Back int he woods to the edge of the estate and a back road.
We crossed the back road and followed the powerlines and fields past Renche's
Cottage. We turned north after the cottage and followed a track into a series of
woods leading up to Trawler's farm.
Beyond the farm we stayed on the road until the path diverged across a field,
until it moved into the woods beyond.
These woods (Middle, Birch, and Marlpost) were really several large plantations
and part of a big estate. There were many paths through them and we navigated in
general North then West
We crossed a back road and re-entered a continuation of the plantation -
Madgeland wood). This was a bit more cut up and less frosted so we took to a
parallel path in the trees for a while.
Leaving the woods and the wide tracks we continued into the fields beyond, with
views across to the hills beyond.
Another scrubby area and we crossed a back road to pick up a byway track, which
mutated into a wider farm track leading up to Little Stammerham farm.
At the farm we passed some poppy sculptures, before crossing a large field up to
the trees marking the route of the Downs Link.
Crossing the old rail track and into the grounds of Christ's Hospital school. A
small loop through the grounds to return to the Downs link track.
Back on the Downs Link and the corridor of trees passing Bax Castle
Approaching Southwater and a host of new build houses and playing fields.
Across the roads int eh centre of Southwater, before picking up the trail of the
Downs link.
Passing Southwater country Park, with a brief pause to see the state of the
lake. Then onwards under the A24.
The last section of the Downs link back to Copsale was more walking down the
tunnel of trees.
Back at the car park, and a slippery drop down to the road and up the other side. Lunch in the van before negotiating down the slope to return home.
