Sussex Views Magazine

Local Walks

Local Walks by Jan

Local walks written and illustrated just for Sussex Views by local artist, and keen walker, Jan. Each month we publish a walk in the magazine, and here we have picked a few of our favourites for you to try. Jan also undertakes commissions, and more of her unique work can be found on her website Jallyally

East Dean

Walk in a wild, woody, quiet area and see two lovely views. There is plenty of shade on a hot August day or the walk is short enough for a summer evening stroll. There is abundant Flora and Fauna and the chance to see Roe, Fallow deer as well as Buzzards, hawks and other birds. East Dean is a small village where the ancient church of All Saints clings to the edge of The Downs. The Star and Garter pub is in the main street.

Map: O.S. 121 Start - map reference:131 908 Length: 9.5 Kilometres. (6 miles) Time. 4 hrs. 

There is a small area for parking at the start. Of the two tracks, take the footpath up the rise, eventually you come to a clearing where you cross a large track; continue on the footpath at the signpost. Stay on this footpath passing another signpost until you meet a track, at the next signpost turn L, continue to a fingerpost; turn R. Stay on the footpath and cross a rough track, at the next fingerpost go downhill and at the next signpost turn L. Walk to a fingerpost, turn R along the same footpath, at the next fingerpost turn L still on the footpath meander up through the woods. Pass a large tree with a broken wooded sign - “Sargent’s tree”. Roe deer roam through the wild and pretty woods.

At the next fingerpost turn L onto a bridleway which opens up to a meadow continue along the grassy track, this is where we found Wild Marjoram and Spearmint. Go past a little clearing and through the gate onto a straight stony track with an avenue of trees where you are met with a view of the rolling Downs. Turn L onto the South Downs Way and West Sussex Literary Trail. Walk past a couple of fingerposts and arrive at a large fingerpost with place names. Turn L onto the one to East Dean (public right of way). Cross a track and continue downhill out to a view of the masts on The Trundle at Goodwood. Head straight down the field towards the track, at the fingerpost turn R before you reach a barn on the right. Then you see a gate on your left and at the signpost take the bridleway, go through the gate into a wood. Continue uphill and walk to a fingerpost turn L along the bridleway there is a pretty view to East Dean on your right. Meet a track with a large sign “Charlton Forest” .Turn R and walk back down to the car. 

Recover afterwards in the Star and Garter pub. The ancient church of All Saints is marked by a cross on the map and contains a memorial wooded plaque with 8 names of men from the area who died in the 1st World War. The West Sussex Literary Trail goes from Horsham to Chichester and is 55 miles long, there are many literary connections along the way described in the guide book available from the trail website.

Laura Bradbear