1 - From the car park at the Sanctuary, just off Honeysuckle Lane, walk across the top of the sloping parkland that sweeps down to the left, with hedgerow on the right, and head for the top right corner of the reserve.

The Sanctuary reserve was saved from development by local activists who campaigned for the area to be preserved for the enjoyment of the community.

When at the corner, divert right into the scrub, noting various minor paths leading off to the left, none of which should be taken. Climb ahead through the bushes and in a short distance arrive at Honeysuckle Lane, a restricted byway.

Turn left up the lane, which at first passes between trees, and after about 300 yards comes to more open hillside. Continue north-westward on the wide track, with views down to the south-west and the coastal plain.

2 - With bridleways joining from the right, keep direction and pass through a hilltop copse to open downland, a short distance south of Church Hill. From this point, views open across Longfurlong, with the busy A280 road down to the left, snaking its way up the valley. Further west is the prominent Blackpatch Hill, famous for its many flint mines from Neolithic times and an objective on previous Argus walks.

Keep to the main track, ignoring bridleways that join from both left and right and, passing by two marker posts, begin a sunken, chalky descent, with the summit of Church Hill up to the right.

Church Hill, high above Findon village, is the site some of the earliest flint mining in England, dating from as early as the fifth millennium BC, more than 7,000 years ago. Open cast mines, the type used at this site, have been the subject of archaeological investigation in the past and there has been evidence that mining was possibly carried on here over a period of 2,000 years.

The trackway descends the hillside to a junction with the main road; ignore a track leading right just before the roadside.

3 - Turn right for a few yards, along the grass verge, and then climb to the right up a bank to a stile and marker post (yellow arrow) at the edge of a field, with views north-eastward towards Chanctonbury Ring.

Head half-left across the field on a trodden path that in a short distance crosses a stile and begins a descent of the mole-hilled slope. In a few paces traverse right, between scrub.

The eastern face of Church Hill rises to the right and down to the left is a recreation field, displaying all the essential elements of an English summer cricket field – the pavilion, the precisely groomed pitch, the site screens, the scoreboard and surely you can hear the leisurely clapping as a boundary-bound ball soars.

The path continues the gradual traversing descent across the hillside, heading towards a stile that leads to an enclosed section and soon enters woodland.

On this part of the walk the huge bulk of Cissbury Ring, the other dominating hill above the valley, comes into view, away to the left. The Ring has yet more flint mines and the later earthworks that surround the vast Iron Age hilltop enclosure – surely a most important regional settlement from earlier times.

The path finally sweeps to the left and comes to a rustic metal kissing gate that is opposite the Findon parish church of St John the Baptist.

4 - Turn left down the lane, soon passing by the high shrubbery that surrounds the 18th century Findon Place, a view to which is possible a few yards further down the lane.

Continue with a high flint wall on the right and then an entrance to a yard, which is part of the big house. As the wall ends, walk ahead a few yards to a path sign (yellow arrow) and turn right, passing through a metal kissing gate onto an enclosed path.

Head south on the path, still with Church Hill on the right and take all of the twists and turns on the way. In 450 yards, the path passes through a gate, beside South Lodge, to a crossing bridleway. Turn left down the track for 100 yards, to another crossing track and turn right.

Keep to the descending bridleway (blue arrow) as it heads towards Roger’s Farm and, on passing by an irrigation tank and then glasshouses, bear left, with stables further left, then follow the path right to a crossing farm track.

5 - Cross over the track to a steeply rising enclosed footpath, beside the farmhouse garden, and climb to the top on the flank of West Hill. Pass over a mid-way track and continue ahead through woodland, soon bearing right as you come to a noticeable stand of ancient beeches.

The path soon clears the tree cover, crosses over a path and keeps direction up the open hillside towards communication masts. Go right of the perimeter fence that surrounds the site on the summit of West Hill and join a crossing bridleway.

Turn left down the wide track, with views now opening out on both sides, heading south-eastward on No Man’s Land. Pass around a gate after 400 yards, coming to a parking compound and continue ahead, down West Hill between the secluded houses of High Salvington.

The road comes to the crossing Furze Road in 250 yards, with the splendid High Salvington Mill just across the road. Turn right along Furze Road to a junction of roads and with the village store across to the half-left. Turn right up Honeysuckle Lane to return to the car park or left down the road to Hayling Rise for bus connections.

  • Distance/Time: Three-and-a-half miles taking two hours
  • By Car: Turn north from A27 on to Salvington Hill, go to the top of the hill to arrive beside the village shop, take the opposite road, Honeysuckle Lane, for 300 yards to Sanctuary car park, on the left. Start point grid reference TQ119068
  • By Public Transport: Bus 6 from Worthing Town Hall (Chapel Road) to High Salvington, alight in Hayling Rise, walk up Salvington Hill to Honeysuckle Lane and the start of the walk, adds a total of half-a-mile to the walk. Check bus times. Travel details from www.traveline.info or call 0871 2002233
  • What’s underfoot: Open downland and a descent on to local footpaths, one steep footpath climb, stiles and gates. Possible with a baby backpack. Not possible with an off-road baby buggy.
  • Thirsty Work: No refreshments available on walk
  • So you don’t get lost: OS Explorer Map 121 plus a compass for general direction

Click here for a full-sized map of the High Salvington circular walk