The forecast was for low cloud all day, however there was a layer of
mist over everything this morning and I took a gamble that going to the downs
would not improve it. So I planned a route along the canal and Billingshurst,
with the aim to park in the sports field. from here up to Inglefield manor
school then across to the canal. Down the canal all the way to haybarn,
before heading back to Billingshurst.
However..... the car park at the sprots centre now has a 2.2m barrier,
so I had to think on the move, and we parked in Wisborough Green opposite the
cricket pitch. Then do a similar route missing out a section of the canal.
We parked the van in the layby beside the cricket pitch and then walked down the
main road (A272) until we could reach the lane running down to Harsfold manor.
Continuing in the same direction past the farm and onto the farm track throguh
the fields down to the canal.
At the canal we turned along it goign south, until we reached the turn table
bridge at Haybarn.
Ove the canal and alongside the big barn until we reached the farm driveway. Up
the driveway to the road serving Lee Place House. At the crossroads of paths
where the lane ends we continued straight on into grazing fields.
Staying high above the river Arun floodplain we passed Tanners farm and down its
driveway to the B2133.
Across the road and through the fields before diving into Great Lordings Wood.
This path came out beside the Sewage works gate then continued into the woods
beyond. This finally came out at the A29 bypass for Billingshurst, where we
leapt over between the traffic.
On the town side we followed a footpath through the suburb of Parbrook and along
the back roads to the railway line, where we took the path behind the school
playing fields. We came out opposite the station passing through a domesticated
industrial park.
Over the level crossing and through the industrial estate on the far side moving
parallel to the railway. At the end of the estate we turned over the railway by
a foot crossing and into the fields beyond.
This bit has not yet been built upon (but for how long?) as we followed the path
past Little Daux Farm. the Path merged onto the farms driveway that came out
onto the A272. Over the road and into the estate beyond.
This new build had tarmacked the path which led up the side of the estate and
past an old stone remnant .. this was the remains of Hammonds Mill.
Around the back of the estate and down onto the next one seen over grassy area
in front.
Here we joined our route from the other week, as it moved through the next
estate and over the new bypass road. then through the fields up to Wooddale
lane. A zigzag on the road before going through the stables and into the horse
paddocks. Through the fields until we got into the woods or Prior's Furze.
Here we left pour previous track and continued up through the woods and across
the ends of a couple of grass fields before entering Bishop's wood.
In the woods we turned towards Five Oaks and followed the track until it reached
a driveway outside the village.
Along the driveway and across the A29 close to the roundabout. Down the path
opposite to the farm beside Ingfield Manor School. Here we did a zigzag into a
field and then back into some woods to cross a stream before coming out into
fields once again.
The path followed the edge of the fields next to the woods (and the hidden
stream). Eventually this led into Spar Wood
A soggy exit from the wood into a last field before a back road. At Okehurst we
followed a farm lane/ driveway that led down to the canal
A foot bridge over the river and on to the canal. We turned to follow the canal for a short section
Reaching the next lock we crossed over the bridge and walked up the side of the sheep field to Paplands farm.
From the farm we followed the driveway up to the crossroads with the B2133 opposite the Bat and Ball pub. From here we had no real option but t follow Newpound Lane back to Wisborough Green and the van.
