Another record hot day was forecast, so an early start and shorter walk was
called for. I planned to park in the Sylvia Beaufoy centre in Petworth, then
head out through the fields down to Coultershaw bridge. Turning west through
Duncton Common and in the same direction to Selham, and up to Halfway Bridge.
Returning to Petworth through the fields and woods above the A272, then the
vineyard and into Tillington. Finally back to the car park through the same
fields as the start.
Leaving the car park and along the A272 to the first of the gatehouses into
Petworth park. We found out later we could have dropped into the fields here,
but continued to the footpath (having missed the sign initially and had to
rewind. The path then went through a wide expanse of strip crops in open
fields.
A zigzag in the track - now a dirt farm track through more salad crops. Down to
Rotherbridge Lane and followed this to a farm of the same name.
Crossing the river Rother on a foot bridge and up to Kilsham cottages where we
picked up a lane once again.
Along the lane to Coultershaw Bridge where it came out opposite the railway
carriage B&B. Up the A285 to Heath end and the shop there, before following
the Serpents way down a dirt lane.
Into Duncton Common when the lane ended
Leaving the Serpents Way and following the edge of the common until we crossed a
boundary and into a different type of wood.
The woods changed character once again and the path separated from the dirt
track until it dropped out onto the end of a back road. The path continued on
the other side along a narrow strip in the hedges between fields.
After a number of twists and turns inside the hedges we came out in a field.
Close to the end we discovered the exit blocked by a number of cows waiting for
food/ milking and we had to divert over the bank to the left. this involved
climbing a barbed wire fence.
The next door field diverted past the cow blockage and we continued down the
lane beyond and onto the disused railway.
It was actually easier on the disused railway than the path that was beside it.
Then after some cow sheds we followed the farm lane back to Hurlands farm in
Selham.
A section along the back road winding around private houses and industrial
units, as well as crossing the river rother on a road bridge.
Arriving opposite the pub, where we went the long way around on the back roads,
but could have slipped through the pub car park.
Following the narrow back road behind the pub to Beggars' corner, before turning
up the driveway to some cottages.
the other side of the cottage drive led into a field, climbing up to the trig
point.
Heading up to River we came across the first of the vineyards. At the hamlet we
merged onto a back road - river Lane
leaving the road up some steps, hidden in a bank, and across a horse pasture.
Into River Common on a path contouring around the top of a steep bank until it
tempered behind the large house of Pitshill. we continued into Upperton Common
before turning down the slope around a lodge.
The hedges separating the big house from the vineyards enclosed the path.
Turning between the vine fields we zigzaged over the slope heading towards
Upperton.
At teh edge of Upperton we turned down the slope to skirt the edge (including a
crossing of an ancient sunken track
Across more vineyards (this one was Roebuck Estates), and then into the village
of Tillignton.
through the war graves and out opposite the church with its odd tower.
Across the A272 and down the driveway opposite, to Coxland Cottages, where we
followed the lane/ driveway onward to Sokenholes Farm
At the farm we turned left and continued on the track until we crossed our
outward track in the middle of the salad crop fields. The map did not show a
footpath continuing in the same direction, however there we lots of footprints
so we continued along the obvious path.
At the edge of Petworth, we began a series of knights moves through the field then housing estate to end up back at the car park coming in beside the centre.
