West Grinstead Circuit, West Grinstead train station

Back from a couple of weeks away in the alps and it was time to get back into the local walks. After doing different form of exercise for the time away, I chose to get back in gradually, rather than rush into the longer walks. As such I chose to do a circuit from the former West Grinstead station, along the Downs link to Partridge Green, then across to Dial Post. Back from there in a zigzag through the village of West Grinstead to the Downs link and hence the station.

Parked in the spaces beside the old station (2m barrier) then down to the old railway track and through the remnants of the station, where tree surgeons were just starting the annual clean up.

Under the A272 and along the hard surface of the former railway, with views to the South Downs in the distance.

Beside Partridge Green the wide track narrowed into a footpath behind garden fences  It touched the B2135 and we turned down the lane leading to Lock Farm.

In one of the fields to the side were a couple of deer .. they did not move as we passed by, so not actually sure they were not very realistic "dummies".

Still on the lane we crossed the swollen river Adur, before some complex path routing through Lock Farm.

Lock farm was very empty - not sure if it is still operating, and then continuing on the lane out the other side.

The lane wound through the fields and wooded areas towards the edge of the A24. Just before the major road junction, we turned up a driveway to Thistleworth Farm.

At the farm gate we wanted to go straight on, but this looked blocked so we turned once again towards the A24coming out opposite the Old Barn nursuries.

We walked up the back road into the village of Dial Post, passing the green and the pub continuing to the way out 

An awkward style into the side of a horse field that we followed the edge around and back to the A24. I had hoped for an underpass, however this was not to be, and we ran across once again. Through into the field beyond.

Across a small stream and up along side a sewn field a large herd of deer in the field.

Along past Middlebarn wood, before turning north once again through a cabbage field.

The path meandered through the cabbages, then along a muddy path as we bypassed Clothalls farm. Then into grass fields, up to a lane.

The lane merged with another at a complex junction of five paths. Then through the cottages of West Grinstead to a point where the road ended at a house gate. The path zigzagged and over a foot bridge 

The bridge crossed to the church yard and its history with Shelly and Belloc.

After the church we went around Glebe Farm with its horse sculptures, and then down tis (and the churches) drive leading to the B2135.

Into a soggy field beyond where we followed the muddy path towards a copse, then across to the edge of the next one.

Over Park Lane and down the edge of a field between and electric fence and the hedge, down to a stream. Beyond the bridge we climbed up hedge line across the top of the field - this was the Downs link.

Back on the Downs link we followed it back north tot eh West Grinstead former station. 

Back at the car park we stopped for some refreshment, and watched the tree surgeons as they tried to move a BMW that was blocking their exit gate.