1. Park up just beyond the Earl of March pub on the A286 Lavant Road between Chichester and West Dean. Walking away from the pub in the direction of West Dean you will soon come to Sheepwash Lane on your right. Cross the road and take the alleyway opposite signposted to Centurion Way. Walk to the end of the alley, turn left at the field and then left again at the bottom of the slope onto Centurion Way.

Centurion Way follows the route of an old disused railway line that used to run between Chichester and Midhurst. The tracks were removed in the 1990s. Since then it’s become a popular accessible route from Chichester out to the surrounding countryside. You get a real sense of the Way being an old train line as you pass under Victorian brick bridges and old railway tunnels.

Pass under two such bridges before arriving at a housing estate. Walk straight ahead past the children’s play area to your right and at the end of Churchmead Close cross and continue straight ahead along the road. Keep straight ahead, walking all the way to the end where you will arrive at a green surrounded by houses. Follow the well-trodden path diagonally across the grass which leads to the next stretch of tarmacked path.

Follow Centurion Way through the surrounding countryside and when you arrive at another old railway bridge with an information board beside it keep straight ahead. Continue on for approximately half a mile.

2. Shortly before the end of Centurion Way take a set of wooden steps to the right, then turn right at the road. Walk past the primary school then cross the road and take the lane directly opposite past a pub on the corner. There is a quaint village tea rooms down this lane which is a good place to stop for refreshments before heading uphill. At the end of the lane go right and then approximately 30 yards later take a small stony bridge over a stream and turn right again. Follow the grassy path with the flint wall of West Dean House to your left.

Bear left as you climb uphill along the Monarch’s Way keeping left when the path forks. You get great views off to the right up here before heading into mature woodland bordering the West Dean arboretum.

3. Once through the woods, at the top of the Monarch’s Way, you will come to a large house before arriving at a road with a car park to the right. Cross the road and take the signed bridleway up to The Trundle.

The Trundle is an old Iron Age hill fort and is an impressive 206 metres high. The climb is well worth it for the spectacular 360 degree views you get from up here which are said to have inspired William Blake when he composed his famous hymn ‘Jerusalem’.

Once you’ve walked around The Trundle and appreciated the breath-taking views head back down the path towards the car park. At the road turn left following the broad chalky path downhill. This byway (Chalk Pit Lane) leads you all the way back down to Lavant with the spire of Chichester cathedral visible as you walk straight ahead.

At the bottom of Chalk Pit Lane turn right and follow the quiet road through East Lavant. Bear right through the village and the road will lead you back up to Sheepwash Lane, the start and end point of the walk.