Kingston circular

By Ben Perkins

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Starting from Kingston near Lewes, this walk follows a series of field paths along the Ouse valley, passing through the quiet and picturesque villages of Rodmell and Iford as well as two other modest settlements at Swanborough and Northease. The return route climbs to the summit of the downland escarpment to follow the South Downs Way along the ridge with fine views all the way. A short sharp descent brings you directly back down to the start.

1.From wherever you managed to park along The Street at Kingston, return to the road junction next to the Juggs pub and turn right, signposted to Newhaven. After about 250 yards, when opposite a bungalow called South Leigh on your left, turn right along a narrow path, signed as a public footpath to Swanborough. Where this enclosed path ends, go ahead along the left edge of a paddock and on between farm buildings. In the main farmyard, bear half-left out to join a lane at Swanborough. Turn left, passing the entrance to Swanborough Manor on your left.

2.On reaching the busy Lewes-to-Newhaven road, go straight ahead through a gap in the hedge opposite and head out across a field, heading very slightly right and aiming for an isolated post in the middle of the field, with a good view ahead to the twin whale-back profiles of Mount Caburn and Firle Beacon facing each other across the alley. At this waypost, turn squarely right, soon aiming for a stile, half hidden in the hedge ahead. Follow the right edge of the next field to another stile and continue on a fenced path along the left edge of a paddock. Beyond a third stile the official path goes ahead squeezed between two flint walls, walking parallel and to the right of a drive to reach a lane at Iford.

3.Turn left to follow the lane as it meanders through the village, passing, on your left, the small flint church, partly dating back to the 12th century. Soon after passing Iford Farm, at a point where the road kinks right, go ahead over a stile and left along a field edge. After 100 yards, where the field boundary bends left, go straight ahead across the field to a stile and then veer very slightly right across the field beyond to join a drive a few yards to the left of the far right field corner. Go right out to the main road and turn left, along the nearside pavement until it gives out, then along the right-hand verge, narrow but usable for most of the way, facing the busy on-coming traffic.

4.After about 300 yards, go left through a gap in the roadside hedge and follow a cross-field path, diverging at about 40 degrees from the field boundary on your right and aiming a little to the right of the stumpy spire of Rodmell Church, just visible above the trees. On the other side of the field, ignoring the path ahead, turn left along the field edge. Join a lane on a bend at the edge of Rodmell and turn right. At a T-junction, within a few yards of Monk’s House, once the home of Virginia Woolf and now in the hands of the National Trust, go straight ahead along the access path to the church and village school. Go ahead through the church lych gate and along the right edge of the churchyard. The church, another flint building of Norman origins though much restored, is well worth a visit. In the corner of the churchyard, go right over a step stile in the churchyard wall and forward for a few yards to enter a fenced path which skirts to the left of a converted barn and garden. Join and follow an unmade access drive which takes you out to rejoin the main road along the valley once more. If in need of refreshment, the Abergavenny Arms pub is now a short distance along the road to the right but to continue the walk, turn left on a path along the left-hand verge.

5.After about 250 yards, fork right along a track which runs parallel to the road at first before bending right along the floor of Cricketing Bottom. For the next three miles you will be following part of the well-signed South Downs Way. About a hundred yards short of a group of farm buildings, turn right along a well trodden path. After 100 yards, turn right through a bridle gate and climb steadily up on to Mill Hill with a fence on your right at first, then across rough pasture.

6.Beyong another bridle gate, where a road comes up the hill from Rodmell, pass in front of the imposing gateway to a house called Mill Hill to follow a shady fenced path. Where this enclosed path ends, go ahead on a clear path along the ridge, grassy underfoot at first, then along a concrete-based track, climbing steadily on to Iford Hill. Where the concrete track eventually bears squarely left, go right along a grassy path to a bridle gate, then left along the edge of the scarp slope with a good bird’s-eye view of your outgoing route. Disregard a downhill right fork.

7.At a waypost, where the main track bends left over a cattle grid and the South Downs Way goes ahead, you should turn sharply right on a terraced path. After only 20 yards, go left along a narrower path which drops down along the side of a combe. This well-trodden path which can be slippery if wet, drops steeply down across rough downland and then through a wood. At a junction with a track turn right to reach the end of The Street at Kingston.