Patcham circular

By Ben Perkins

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For today’s pre- Christmas walk and my next one, to be published during the run-up to the New Year, I have picked out two downland routes within easy reach of Brighton and Hove.

This week, we can enjoy a popular circuit linking Patcham and Pyecombe. Apart from the less well known and relatively little used path approaching point 2, it follows excellent, well-signed downland tracks, several of which will be familiar to regular Argus walkers, but none the worse for that.

Starting from Patcham on the northern edge of the city it heads north to reach Pyecombe where there is a conveniently placed pub about a quarter of a mile off the described route.

After climbing to a high point on the downland ridge at Keymer Post, the return route heads south, traversing high, open downland apart from a brief descent into the valley near Standean Farm.

1.To start the walk, continue along the access road, signed as a No Through Road, which starts as a right turn immediately on the north side of the bridge under the A27 providing vehicle access into the Waterhall Valley. Follow this road as it eventually curves left and climbs steadily up on to the Downs, passing two isolated houses and losing its metalled surface.

About 80 yards after passing through a gate, turn right over a stile and go ahead beside a left-hand fence, contouring along the hillside and passing to the left of a ruined building.

Beyond the next stile some care is needed as the path is a bit vague at first. Go ahead for 30 yards, descending gently through scrubby woodland to join and follow a grassy terrace along the lower edge of this wooded area with a bramble and grass-covered slope dropping down on your right.

A new stile soon comes into sight ahead from which a more distinct woodland path continues downhill.

2.Leave the wood over another stile and turn left along a left field edge, soon feeding into another terraced tree-lined path which, at first, takes a fairly level route along the side of a valley.

Once out into the open, carry on beside a left-hand fence, following as it curves left and climbs back up on to the Downs. In the top field corner, go through a bridle gate and turn right along a wide, fenced, chalk and flint track.

A few yards after passing beneath power lines, ignoring the bridle gate ahead, bear halfright, still along the main fenced track.

3.Once through another gate, go ahead with a fence and hedge on your left at first.

After less than 100 yards, veer slightly right, now on an unfenced grassy path which soon picks up another hedge on the left as it crosses the right shoulder of West Hill to reach a gate from which an unfenced track continues.

Where the track bends squarely right go ahead, continuing with a fence on your right, now on the South Downs Way which heads for Pyecombe in the valley ahead.

In view on the skyline behind the village are the twin windmills of Jack and Jill and over to the left the distinctive profile of Wolstonbury Hill.

4.Just short of the A23, turn left to cross the dual carriageway via the road bridge, in sight.

About 60 yards beyond the bridge, turn right along a narrow lane which takes you to the delightful little downland church at Pyecombe, accessible via a centrally-pivoted tapsell gate.

Just past the church, if in need of refreshment, the lane to the right leads to the Plough Inn but the walk continues ahead along School Lane.

Just short of the A273, turn left with the South Downs Way, using a path which runs parallel to the road and is segregated from it.

5.Shortly, turn right to cross the road and follow the access drive to Pyecombe Golf Club, opposite, which, beyond the clubhouse and car park, becomes a fenced track and climbs steadily on to the Downs.

After about two thirds of a mile, at a crossing path where the South Downs Way goes off to the left, go ahead along a clear path between arable fields, following it as it bends left to climb and rejoin the South Downs Way.

Turn right here to follow the ridge path with an expansive view northwards into the Weald.

6.Just past the oak Keymer Post, topped with a carved acorn, on your left, and just short of a gate, turn right to head south, dropping down along a left field edge. In the field corner, sidestep to the left over a stile and resume your previous direction down the hill, now with a hedge on your right.

At the bottom, join a track and turn right to follow it gently up out of the end of the valley. Soon after passing a brick and flint storage building on your left, turn left, still on a track which now climbs along a left field edge.

7.Wherethe ground levels out, turn left through a gate and follow an unfenced path between arable fields.

A welltrodden and clearly defined path continues along a ridge, finally entering open grass downland. A short detour down the hill to the left allows a visit to the Chattri, a memorial to the Indian dead in two world wars.

Continue along the clear path which eventually brings you out on to an access drive. Turn right for a few yards out to a T-junction with a road and turn right again. Pass to the right of a roundabout and go ahead along a No Through Road, Braypool Lane.

After about a quarter of a mile, turn left along a tarmac path which leads to a footbridge over the A23. On the other side of the bridge, bear right. After a few yards, go left over a railings and along a short path out to join the access drive used on your outgoing route.

Turn left to retrace your steps back to the start.