I have listed below some of the areas that I have cycled/walked around together with a map of the area, a brief description, a few photos and a link to the Gallery if you want to see more images.
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Click on map for larger image
Yellow Horned Poppy
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Click on map for larger image
Click on map for larger image
Barnham is situated about five miles north of Bognor Regis and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, there is also a railway station which was opened in 1864 and lies on the West Coastway Line. The station was called Barnham Junction until 1929 because the branch line to Bognor Regis leaves the main line here.
There are two public houses in the village, The Barnham Bridge Inn and the Murrell Arms - originally a farmhouse, built in 1750, and licensed since 1866. The Murrell Arms sells beer direct from the barrel and is well worth a try if you like real ale. It still retains the feel of a ‘real’ pub and its walls and ceilings are lined with memorabilia.
Parts of the disused Portsmouth and Arundel Canal are visible to the SE of the village including remains of the locks and pivots used for the locking mechanisms. This was part of the London to Portsmouth navigation which was proposed during the Napoleonic wars and viewed as a safe way of transporting goods to and from London. However, by the time this final section between Ford and Hunston was opened in 1823 the war was over and the canal was never a success and by 1847 this section had ceased to be navigable and closed in 1849.
Parts of the disused Portsmouth and Arundel Canal are visible to the SE of the village including remains of the locks and pivots used for the locking mechanisms. This was part of the London to Portsmouth navigation which was proposed during the Napoleonic wars and viewed as a safe way of transporting goods to and from London. However, by the time this final section between Ford and Hunston was opened in 1823 the war was over and the canal was never a success and by 1847 this section had ceased to be navigable and closed in 1849.
Tortington is a small village which lies just off the Arundel to Ford road 1.6 miles (2.7km) southwest of Arundel. Just before the turning there is a track leading to the River Arun and the footpath that runs along its bank. Some good views can
be obtained from here. Tortington is home to the The Arundel Equine Hospital. Cycling north up this road you encounter very few vehicles and end up passing through Tortington Common, a remnant of semi-natural broad leaved woodland. At the top of this road you turn left into Binsted Lane and down through Binsted Wood, eventually arriving in Binsted itself although one would hardly notice! The church of St Mary’s is a beautiful old church and is open to look around. Not far after that you pass The Black Horse pub which has a reputation for serving good food. Just after the pub there is a turning on the left that leads onto the B2132 just north of Walberton and onto Yapton. Just north of Yapton and opposite Ford Lane is Maypole Lane leading to The Maypole Inn which I prefer to the one previously mentioned, they also serve food and usually have a good choice of real ales, enjoy!
Clymping Gap is the last undeveloped stretch of coastline between Brighton and Bognor Regis. 5000 years ago the sea was a mile further out than today and the area was hunted and fished by the local inhabitants who eventually dug ditches and Rifes to drain the marshland creating the water meadows and fertile land of today.
Included in this area are a Local Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI). The beach is shingle at the top and sand further down as the tide goes out. At the top of the shingle where it is more stable and less affected by the waves various plants grow, including Sea Kale, Yellow-Horned Poppy and Sea Bindweed. This type of Vegetated Shingle is very rare throughout Europe and this stretch is under pressure due to growing visitor numbers. So please be careful and show respect to the beach and surrounding countryside. This spot still retains a sense of peace and tranquility about it. A footpath runs from Littlehampton to here and is a pleasant walk. There is a pub (The Black Horse) in Climping St but sadly is dedicated to serving food so has retained little of the traditional charm of a country pub.
Included in this area are a Local Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI). The beach is shingle at the top and sand further down as the tide goes out. At the top of the shingle where it is more stable and less affected by the waves various plants grow, including Sea Kale, Yellow-Horned Poppy and Sea Bindweed. This type of Vegetated Shingle is very rare throughout Europe and this stretch is under pressure due to growing visitor numbers. So please be careful and show respect to the beach and surrounding countryside. This spot still retains a sense of peace and tranquility about it. A footpath runs from Littlehampton to here and is a pleasant walk. There is a pub (The Black Horse) in Climping St but sadly is dedicated to serving food so has retained little of the traditional charm of a country pub.
Rewell Wood is a remnant of semi-natural broad leaved woodland, interconnecting hedgerows and trackways which provide important habitats for wildlife. A large proportion of the woodland cover is ancient. It also a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI). There are also signs of ancient
habitation in the form of earthworks and Tumuli. Fortunately it is not easily accessible by car and remains largely peaceful and undisturbed. It is a pleasant ride from Littlehampton, passing through Ford and Tortington and instead of going back down Binsted Lane as before you take a quick scoot along the A27 for a few hundred metres and then up a path toward Rewell House and thence into the woods. As mentioned above there are plenty of footpaths and bridleways to explore and plenty of different exits to leave from. Taking a OS Map is always a good idea as well as good boots as it is quite muddy in places even in summer. One way of exiting is onto the A27 and if you head south you run into The Spur public house, which serves a very pleasant pint although, once again, it is rather food orientated. From there it is not far to Walberton and back to Littlehampton via Yapton or Ford.
The 160 kilometre (100 miles) long South Downs Way follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs. The undulating route provides a wonderful trip for long distance riders as well as walkers. It also provides interesting day trips which is all that I have done so far! Having cycled to Ford I took my cycle on the train to Amberley and after a short
Wepham Wood is another, quite extensive, area of woodland that is crossed by many various footpaths and bridleways, so, once again, it is wise to take a map
and boots. The northerly part of the wood is crossed by another well known path, The Monarchs Way. The Way is based on the lengthy route taken by King Charles II during his escape after defeat by Cromwell in the final battle of the Civil Wars at Worcester in 1651, when for six weeks he was hotly pursued by Parliamentary troops. It takes in Boscobel (the Royal Oak Tree), Stratford upon Avon, the Cotswolds, Mendips and the South Coast from Charmouth to Shoreham. The whole route is now 990km (615 miles) in length.
I have entered these woods at various points either via Poling or Patching and head in a general northerly direction which will eventually lead me onto the Monarchs Way. One grisly reminder of the past is a post marking the site of a gibbet where Jack Upperton was hung in chains (in 1771) having previously been convicted of holding up the King's Mail at Lyminster in September 1770, and hanged at Horsham Gaol in April 1771.
I have entered these woods at various points either via Poling or Patching and head in a general northerly direction which will eventually lead me onto the Monarchs Way. One grisly reminder of the past is a post marking the site of a gibbet where Jack Upperton was hung in chains (in 1771) having previously been convicted of holding up the King's Mail at Lyminster in September 1770, and hanged at Horsham Gaol in April 1771.
The Murrell Arms
Footpath South of Barnham
The St Mary’s Church
Second World War Gun Loops
Erosion at Clymping
Vegetated Shingle
Snow on the Beach
Footpath from Littlehampton
View from Amberley Mount
View back to Springhead Hill
