Hop Oast Circular, Southwater

I cadged a lift up to the Hop Oast park and ride car park, as Sue had to go into Horsham for a some chores. I had worked out a route heading out to Mannings Heath, then down to Nuthurst, before turning back to Southwater and the car park.

I left the car park following the signs for the Horsham football ground, and down the golf course driveway to the club house.

Around the collection of buildings and across the course. This path led over the driveway to Denne Park.

The big house sitting across the driveway, then into the parkland beyond.
I made the way across the grass to pick up a track into the woods.

Down the steep slope over looking the outskirts of Horsham. At the bottom of the slope the path contoured around the base.

The path curved around to cross the river Arun below Chesworth farm. Here the was a boardwalk and several bird hides.

Out of the reserve and across a back road to go down the driveway to Amiemill farm (and a Christmas tree seller at the entrance). Part way down the drive the path curved away up a hill slope.

Along a hedge before climbing the edge of a large field

This path led to Bull's farm, and the path curved around the left of the buildings.

After the farm the path led along the farm tracks to a field. There was a gate that would save a walk on the road so I headed across to it.

Over the back road and through a scrubby woodland, before exiting into a pair of sheep fields.
Then climbing to the right of Whyting's farm.

More fields after the farm led to a further farm - Rickfield farm.

Continuing to the edge of Manning's Heath village, where I turned south along the edge on a prepared path.

Down and up over a stream and into some sparse woods. The path led to Monk's Gate.

Across Nuthurst Street and along a path through a field.

Into Cook's copse, and along a typical woodland trail.

The trail comes out at Cook's farm - a very nice bark and outbuildings.

Along the driveway past the Architectural plants site and to the church in Nuthurst.

Back into the fields and across to Limekiln wood.

The track merged onto a series of driveways through to a point where it curved away.

The path continued straight and through a field, and over a small stream to reach Broadwater lane.
Then a climb through a waterlogged field up past the stables.

A zigzag along Polecat lane around Lockyers farm, and across to the edge of A24. Turning away towards Horsham through a collection of buildings. These belongs to a plant hire company.

A series of zigzags following the field boundaries to Reeds lane. Then a fenced in path past a couple of football pitches. This came out onto Collstaple Lane just beside a bridge over the A24.

Along the road to a residential driveway leading back to the A24, with a footpath at the end. The path passed through a lot of scrub beside the golf course

Across the golf course where the path got too overgrown and along a residential driveway to merge onto the golf course drive and hence back to the car park.

A wet walk in the woods, Local

Storm Bram was creating havoc to the west but here it was just raining, with no real wind like last week. Sue was off to Brinsbury, so I chose to get out early and hope things dried up later in the day. I was staying local so the walk could be amended if the rain got worse or else there was too much standing water. The idea was to follow the local forestry commission woods towards Chidingfold then back via Dunsfold and the canal.

With full waterproofs on I set out through the village and down the lane to reach the forestry road.
Along the road to Lee house farm following the Sussex Border path. There I followed the edge of the farm and the edge of the wood.
The track curved around and crossed a flooded stream - luckily there was a point where I could leap over.

Around the cottages of Upper Ifold farm before turning into the fields.
The path led through the woods called Ireland, and up to Burningfold manor stud, before going down the driveway and over Plaistow road.

Into Lagfold copse following a wide forestry road

Out of Lagfold copse and down to Highstreet Green on a track between fields.
Over a back road and into Brooklands copse

Through the woods dropping down to a stream, where I could either walk up the side of a field with water streaming down, or wallow through the harvested woodland. I chose the latter which was muddy but the water was navigable.

Through the fields leading to Prestwick manor farm. Here it was very wet and the path flooded, my socks were now soaked.
The path followed the edge of the field rather than straight across which did make it a little more manageable.

From the farm, I walked down Vann lane until a path that cut the corner to White Beech.
This path was more like a river - my socks and boots were definitely now wet through. The path climbed up then down the far side to white beech lane.
The rain had slackened and was now just occasional flurries.

Next into Pignuts copse, along a fairly wide path, but this soon narrowed as it dropped down the hillside to a river. The path was crisscrossed with fallen trees and was more of an obstacle course.

Down by the river the path was flooded, and only dried out where it climbed up to Mill Hanger.
From these buildings I followed the drive.

The drive connected with a tarmacked road (private) that I followed to Loxley Bridge.
I set off on the wrong way down Chiddingfold road, before turning around and along to Wrotham Hill.

Just outside Dunsfold I turned down chapel hill on to Knighton's lane.
Down the lane past Knightons to the end of the road at Sydney Wood.
By now the rain had eased up completely and I could take my jacket off.

I turned down beside the big house and followed the path into the woods. This was the alternative to the Wey-South path, and came out onto the driveway to Sydney farm.

From Sydney farm, I followed the path out to the Wey-South path near Gennets Wood.
Then down the canal tow path to the adder field, before cutting back to the village and down the Drive to home.