An idea to return to Knepp once again... this time to add in a diversion
to Southwater and down the Downs link trail. Starting at Shipley, up to
Southwater country park, along the Downs link before leaving across West
Grinstead park and the A24 to enter the Knepp estate from the main driveway.
From there around the red route to the castle remains and across to the road
beside the estate shop. Across the yellow route to the farm driveway, and then
the farm. Up the ongoing track then back to Shipley.
Bertie and I set off from the parking area between the windmill and the church
having just squeezed the van in to the space. The path started opposite the
house in front of the windmill, and across the field behind the hedge.
Beyond church farm north we merged into a farm track that ended in a field.
The path ended at the A272, and we crossed onto Dragon's Green road, which we
followed through the village until reaching a footpath in the woods to the
right.
The field beyond and a dogleg around the hedge boundary and up to the power
lines.
The path regained a track beside a barn, then turned right at trawler's farm
down into some woods. The track veered off to the right and the path continued
into the woods.
Into a field beyond and across to a green track lined with plantations.
In Blinks wood, we followed the path marked on the map, however there were many
here as befits a wood next to a town. Leaving the woods through a house drive
and onto Shipley then Worthing roads.
Into Southwater country park via the dinosaur island car park. We could have
taken the shorter route to the visitors centre, however veered away to go around
the lake.
Around the lake and across to the visitors centre, then the car park and hence
the Down's Link path. Across the lane and along the track leading to the A24 and
its subway. Continuing on the Down's Link as it disappeared towards Copsale.
At Copsale we crossed a lane and a small car park before continuing along the
Down's Link until halfway to the former station of West Grinstead.
Initially the side track was very similar to the old railway line, but then
opened into a field. This was followed by a second where the path was a little
obscured around a corn field, which then came out on a farm track.
Across a bridge and leaving the track to cross a harvested field. we had been
here before an knew the path had moved from the mapped trace.
The new path went around the Newhouse farm along some rough path separated from
the fields. Once around the farm we also circuited a field with strange
buildings but now also housing cows and new born calves. These were curious of
Bertie but the mothers were trying to keep them away. the troublesome youngsters
kept trying to get to him, he was running away and the mothers were running
interference. Luckily the fence kept the distances.
After all the excitement w passed through the houses at the ned of the lane to
the A272. Across this and down the lane to Park Farm.
After several large gates, we went past the big house and into the woods beyond.
In here we turned onto the Green Lane
The lane came out onto a large field that climbed up hill and across a causeway
across a series of lakes.
A couple of fields beyond (and a gathering of vehicles with people and dogs -
maybe a shoot) we reached the B2135, crossed via a hidden hole in the hedge and
up the fields the other side to a barn.
Around a field of sheep and through some ploughed fields towards the A24.
A rough field approaching the A24, and over the dual carriageway. We had to wait
for the traffic lights to pause traffic going south then from the central
reservation it was luck that created a gap we could cross. Then down the Knepp
estate drive way.
Once we were in the rewilding part, we could turn off to go around to the castle
ruins.
Now on the red walking route we followed this from teh castle across the grass
pastures curving aroun rightwards slightly
Towards the back road through the estate, where we turned down it to Dial Post.
Opposite Swallows farm we turned off into more grasslands and onto the yellow
route that cut over towards the main farm.
Up the driveway and through New Barn Farm then following the farm track beyond.
Over a stream and across more grass land to the point the white route
departed.
Remaining on the farm track up to Hammer pond, and the farm of the same name.
Then down the farm driveway to the back road (Countryman lane). We followed this
to a farm driveway.
Along the driveway and past the farm (Church Farm South) then up to and through the graveyard for the Shipley village church. the windmill rising over the hedges.
Up the church lane and back to the parking spot (now much fuller than when we arrived). A pause for lunch then back home.
