Another day on the Serpent's Way end to end walk, this was day 2 and the plan
was to park again in the Sylvia Beaufoy car park in Petworth, and repeat the
section down to pick up the Serpent's way where I left it last week, at
Coultershaw bridge. From here following it around to Fittleworth, and on to
Flexham park, then back to Petworth. A decision point here as to whether to
continue or stop for the day. The continuation would be around Petworth Park
leaving at Upperton, then down through Upperton Common, across to Leggatt
Hill. The final section continues through Bexleyhill to Henley, where I would
leave the Serpent's way to drop down to Midhurst and a bus ride back to
Petworth.
I set out early and was parked up by 7:30am as this was going to be another long
day. the first part was through the residential area and into the fields south
of Petworth where we could cross the river Rother at Rotherbridge farm.
On the other side, the lane continued past Kilsham cottages and farm up to the
A285. Up the road to the farm shop, where we re-joined the Serpent's
Way.... First off down a track through the woods.
The track merged crossed a back road onto the driveway for Burton park farm, and
then on passing the The bog house of Burton Park.
Over the pond dam of Chingford Pond, and up the slope beyond.
Through the woods as they opened out to the back road around Sutton Farm
Down the farm track until I crossed a back road into Sutton Common beside the
car park.
Up to the top of the common and turning across to head towards the Coates
Common
This track turned into a path before it merged onto the B2138. I followed the
road across the river Rother once again and turned up a track just past the swan
pub
The flood plains were still under water each side of the river.
Climbing up Hesworth Common, following the snaking Serpent's route
Lookign to the South Downs from the top of the common, before dropping down the
other side
Dropping down into Fittleworth village and along a twitten to pass the school
and village hall ( I did drop into the shop for a snack). At the top of the road
I crossed the A283 and followed a track
The track mutated into a footpath and into more woods. this section of the walk
was mainly boxed in by trees on all sides.
A zigzag over to Mitfords copse after passing Litherse common.
Around the pit of Bognor common and up the track to Bedham copse.
Over the back road and into Flexham Park with its kicker at the end up to
Riverhill lane/ Kingspit Lane junction.
Over the roads and down the driveway to Montpelier farm, before turning into the
woods and exiting above Petworth
Looking south and west over Petworth
Down the long slope, over the damp boggy ground at the bottom and up the other
side into the edge of Petworth. Then followed a game of mazes as we twisted and
turned around the back streets to reach the main car park and then over the A285
to reach the Sylvia Beaufoy car park. 22 kms in and I was feeling fine, so ontov
the second half.
Around the edge of Petworth park until I could enter through one if the lodge
gates.
Aiming for the Upperton gate - this is hidden and you have to know it exists,
then along the back road through the village beside the park up to the reservoir
tower.
Steeply down Upperton common to reach the houses at the end of Westlands Copse
Lane. then into the fields beyond. through the fields in a straight(ish)
line.
The fields continue passing lodge farm, where there is a shimmy onto a driveway
to cross a stream before continuing alongside more fields, until turning into
Limekiln rough,
A driveway that mutated into a track then led around Leggatt Hill and a back
road, before turning back into the fields to climb up beside Redlands farm.
The climb continued past the farm and up to the top of the slope of Hoe Hill.
Then into the woods - initially a bit scrappy
Now in the woods we continued through a number of different areas all boxed in
with no views. Through Bexhill Common, then the more forested area that finally
led into Henley.
The duke of Cumberland pub marked the end of the journey along the Serpent's
Way, and I now had to get back to the van. Heading up Verdley Hill then along
the top of the ridge to Verdley farm.
Around the stables at Verdley farm and down the drive. Across the back road and
into the woods of Scotland Knob, heading as straight as I could towards
Midhurst. Through the woods following the forestry tracks slightly down hill.
Out of the woods and into the fields looking down to the town of Midhurst. The fields ended at Wick Lane - very broken up but straight.
Leaving the lane and across another field that ended at the Allotments of Easebourne. Another zigzag and out to Easebourne street. We zigzagged where this met the A272 to get to the end of driveway to the Petworth polo fields.
Down the road past the farm shop, and alongside the polo fields, then the cricket field to reach the ruins. From here it was a simple section across to the car park and the bus stop.
The next bis was in 20 mins so not too bad, and a chance to have a rest. The trip back was simple, however I had stiffened up by the time I reached Petworth and the short walk to the van was painful .. not sure if it was the distance or height gain - maybe both.
