In this third instalment discovering the Sussex Greensand Way, Steve Kisko walks from Streat to East Chiltington beginning from Plumpton Green. His walk includes a well-preserved outline of the Roman road raised and hidden under grass to the south of Plumpton Racecourse

1. This walk explores the section of the Roman road known as the Sussex Greensand Way (SGW) from Streat to East Chiltington but for ease of parking it begins in Plumpton Green. Start in the car park of the ‘King George V Playing Fields’ recreation ground which is in Plumpton Green opposite the entrance to the railway station and near the level crossing. Come out of the car park and turn right along Station Road. In 400 yards turn left down Riddens Lane just before the convenience store/post office. In 180 yards after the last property on the left, turn left over planks and a stile onto a hedged-in footpath down the end of that property’s garden. Make your way down to a gate and over a stile into a field. Cut across the field opposite veering left to a stile and a footbridge.

Climb up slightly crossing another footbridge and continue between properties. Emerge onto a track and T-junction and turn right then in 10 yards turn left towards the railway line. Go through a gate, cross the railway with extreme care, and through another gate over the other side. Go ahead, and in 10 yards follow a footpath that begins by going over a stile on your right into a horse paddock. Cross the grass to another stile opposite and cross the next paddock. Go over a third stile and paddock to aim for a fourth in the far left corner. Bear right over a stream and into a large open field. Here you need to walk straight ahead into the field for about 80 yards and then at roughly that point turn and walk diagonally left across the middle of the field. There is a fingerpost that comes into view to guide you as you begin to reach the right-hand side edge near the bushes. Turn left and follow the right-hand field edge.

2. Soon reach the corner of the field, ignore a track coming in from the right and continue straight on through bushes to a footbridge, then keep right in the field ahead. Go through a gap in the hedge and keep right in the next field for only 60 yards then turn right into the field on the right. Cross it diagonally to the left. Go through a gap in the hedge on the other side. Gradually veer right ahead and then follow the right-hand edge. There is a fingerpost along this section and about 20 yards ahead of that you cross the course of the SGW. In a further 40 yards the footpath goes right over planks, up steps and over a stile, then gradually arcs left through a grassy enclosure. Reach a stile and turn left onto a bridleway along a lane called Streat Forge. (a short detour to the right however take you to Streat Church). The name Streat tends to indicate a Roman road, as it does in this case.

3. Pass between cottages along this lane. Carry along this track between fields. In about half a mile you start to reach other properties and at this point you are virtually walking along the actual course of the SGW. Then you get to the section to the south of Plumpton Racecourse where the grassy raised bank to the right of the track covers the original course over the ‘agger’ (a structure that supported the surface of the road). At Plumpton Lane continue virtually straight but turning right then left along a further bridleway. In 300 yards it may seem you reach a Y-junction but do not turn left but keep right downhill. Cross a stream over a bridge. Continue uphill to East Chiltington Church. At the lane turn left.

As you wander down the lane you will reach the Jolly Sportsman pub on the right. At this point you will be walking directly on top of the SGW again, all the way until the lane reaches a T-junction.There the Roman road disappears into the hedge ahead but you turn left.

4. In 400 yards go under a railway line and shortly afterwards turn left through a gate into a field. Essentially now you will keep left along the side of the railway line for the next three-quarters of a mile all the way back to the car park. Therefore, keep left in this field and then on to a footbridge with gates either end. Then veer left to cross another footbridge under trees. Enter a very large field and simply keep left along the fence following the railway. At the next corner go through a gate under trees and on to a track along the left of the recreation ground. The track will come out onto Station Road near the level crossing, then turn right back into the car park.