22 November 2024

South Downs Way, Duncton

The rain if my last walk gave way to clouds and overcast, with low temperatures, and across much of the rest of UK had some snow - we had one or two flakes. However this morning there was a break in the weather with clear skies and deep frost although there was a chilly wind. I decided on a walk up on the South Downs, starting at the viewpoint halfway up Duncton Down, then dropping back down to the mill and around to Barlavington, before climbing back up to the downs ridge. Along the ridge to Glatting Beacon and Bignor Hill car park to pick up the SDW. Back along the SDW to Littleton farm across the A285 and climbing up to Littleton down. Along the top to Graffham down, before turning down the track to the bottom of the north slope. Turning east along the bottom of the slope winding around the cwms passing Seaford college and down the access road to Beechwood house, before climbing back up to the car park.

Parking in the car park and looking north over the college towards Bexleyhill, Black down and also Hascombe bathed in the early morning sun.


Down at Seaford college some of them were out on the playing fields - chilly. I crossed over the A285 and onto the forest track contouring along the side of Duncton Down to Duncton Hanger.
At a huge six path crossroads I turned down the track that led back to folly lane where it left the A285. On the ground was a sprinkling of snow.
Along folly lane to the driveway to Duncton Mill, leaving onto a footpath towards Barlavington on a farm track.
Leaving the farm track the footpath crossed a grass field to the village, and picking up the driveway to Barlavington farm turning back towards Folly lane.
Over the lane and climbing relatively steeply up the bottom of the downs. Part way up the path turned to contour around a coombe on a shallower slope.
At a point where several tracks met on top of Barlavington Down, I continued on a large bridleway along the top of the downs. There was a larger sprinkling of snow on certain fields.
Passing Farm Hill, still climbing, heading towards the wireless masts.
Alongside a grass field - I avoided the overgrown path by walking down the field edge, picking up the path at the end where it merged onto a farm track.
The final slope up to Glatting Beacon and the masts, then continuing around the summit on the farm track.
Still on the farm track towards the Bignor Hill car park, however turning back when it met the SDW. Here I turned into the wind and needed to put on top more layers.
Along the southern side of the downs following the path to Sutton Down, picking up the continuation of the farm track.
Still walking into the biting wind but with great views along the downs and to the north.
Looking down to Littleton farm and the slope climbing back up the far side to the down of the same name.
Down at the bottom following the farm track to the A285, over it and connecting to the next track on the west side. 
Climbing up a straight track to Littleton Down.
The slope eased as it reached the high point and transitioned into the woods.
Through the woods and looking over the edge, then continuing along the ridge following a snow covered field edge.
Climbing gradually to Graffham Down on the wide ridge top.
Turning down the north side of the downs on a forest track. Turning onto a second track that contoured along the bottom of the ridge.
The track undulated along to the college. Overhead a buzzard was flying.
Around the wall of the college grounds and onto Beechwood lane. At Beechwood house I crossed the stream where it had been dammed to create a large pond.
Climbing back up through the woods on a wide path. The path merged with the main track coming from the chalk pit and back to the car park.
Jumped into the car for lunch before driving back home.