With the rain holding off in the South East I had planned a day out on
the South Downs - A circuit around the outside of Uppark estate. Parking up on
Harting down and then curving back around and up to the SDW heading west.
Turning south into the woods of West Harting Down, working down to the village
of Compton, then across to Up Marden. Finally back north to reach the SDW
along Bramshott Bottom and back to the car park.
Parking in the Harting Down car park, and after leaving my NT card in the window
set off up the hill of the same name.
Looking north from the top of Harting Down in the clear morning.
Going down the steep slope direct towards South Harting.
This track crossed Hill lane and continued down a lane that circled around
Hampshire cottage.
Behind the cottage we turned west and crossed the rape fields to cross the B2141
and into the reserve area of teh Warren.
We contoured around a wheat field staying in the woods gradually climbing
towards the SDW.
Up on the SDW we followed it west - this was the Forty Acre lane
Across the SBP and along to a junction of tracks where we turned south into the
woods of West Harting Down.
Through the woods on a track (up and over teh high point) then down to Booker
Down. We turned down a second track through the woods into Booker Down Rough.
Unfortunately the track was barred at the end of the open access area, and we
had to back track and work our way over to the continuation of the original
track. Then a sharp turn through the rough woods coming out at Eckensfield - a
collection of converted farm buildings.
Beyond the farm we followed teh driveway until we could turn through a wheat
field and a fallow one crossing a back road.
a sheep field then followed as we dropped towards the village of Compton -
unfortunately the water troughs were slimy or empty. This came out on the B2146
which we followed into the village.
Out the other side of the village we climbed out up a track. We left the track
trying to find a path through the woods, eventually coming out beside a wheat
field, and back on the proper path.
We crossed down a valley and up the other side until we reached Up Marden. We
had to cast around for the path north, finally finding it alongside a field
being harvested.
Leaving the edge of teh woods and crossing the recently harvested part of the
wheat field, then onto a farm track leading down to long lane following the
grain trailer.
A short zigzag down the lane and we were walking up the side of yet another
wheat field. We followed this through the whole long length of the field.
After the wheat fields we continued up to teh edge of the Uppark estate passing
a gatehouse, and then its drive way to the B2141. A short pause for a bite and a
long drink for Bertie, and we continued on the other side alongside North Marden
Down.
The woods receded as we reached Bramshott bottom, and we followed the bottom of
the valley as it rose gently up to the SDW on the ridge ahead.
From the top of the valley we turned west following the SDW as it climbed up Harting Down, first steep then easing up as we returned to where we had started.
Dropping back down to the car park with views along where we had been and around to Butser Hill. Also on the hill opposite was the Uppark folly tower.
Down to the car park to reach the van ... time for lunch and a long drink.
