Boxgrove circular

By Ben Perkins

Click here to view map

From the ruins of the 12th century Boxgrove Priory this walk climbs, via a diabolical ditch and an ancient track, onto the high Downs.

There is a diversion to the prominent Halnaker Windmill, giving wide views over the surrounding countryside, and a bootbashing return stroll through extensive woodland.

1.From the car park beside the remains of the priory, walk to the arched entrance into the churchyard beside the priory church of St Mary and St Blaise, bearing left and then right to descend to the entrance gate of the churchyard.

Turn left on the footpath, passing a house on the right, to cross the rising meadow to a footpath sign on the skyline in 200 yards.

Turn left at the sign and walk for a little over a quarter-of-a-mile across open fields to take a left turning.

At a path junction in 200 yards, close to the edge of Halnaker village, branch right along a left hedgeline.

Continue between an elegant avenue of trees. On crossing into Tinwood Lane, turn right for 75 yards, and then take a stile on the left. Cross the next field, and a mid-way stile, then descend into an obvious gully. This is the local earthwork known as The Devil’s Ditch. The ditch occurs at various points in this part of the county and was probably, in earlier times, a boundary or territory marker.

Cross the ditch and climb out bearing to the left across a field to the road edge.

2.Cross towards the entrance of Warehead Farm and take the right turning up the rising footpath (Mill Lane) to the right; there are cottages on the left. Climb the track between banks, passing around mid-way metal gates, and in just over a quarter-of-a-mile arrive at a junction of tracks.

The track to the left up to Halnaker Mill climbs to the summit and is well worth the detour, both for the view and a visit to the splendid structure.

The mill was built in the mid- 18th Century and restored in 1934, as a dedication. Details of the restoration and the people who did it can be seen inside the mill tower.Return to Mill Lane. (Allow 45 minutes for the detour.)

Back at the track junction, or should you decide not to make the detour, take the ongoing north-eastward track, climbing the bank on the right and continuing on the straight path – a section of the famous Roman road of Stane Street.

The path continues across the top of the hill, with woodland on the right that is part of a coppicing project.

At a final stile drop across a meadow to the road edge, beside the entrance to Seabeach House.

3.Take the grass verge on the left of the road, walking up the hill for 400 yards to a point where the road turns to the left. Cross the road with care, to go over the stile beside a gate and turn left up into the woodland, at the ivyencrusted footpath sign.

The onward path climbs and dips for three-quarters-of-a-mile. Stay on the main track, taking none of the side turnings.

The route follows the original Roman line of Stane Street and it is possible to identify the aggar, the raised embankment that it was constructed upon, at many points along the way.

The original road would have been up to 24ft wide, with drainage ditches at either side and set above the surrounding area. Stane Street was a major part of the Roman network leading to London.

The path finally arrives at a minor road opposite a car park. Turn left up the road, climbing for 350 yards and taking the signed left footpath through woodland. At the next road, in 250 yards, cross and continue down the track, clearing the trees in 250 yards; there is a small pond to the left.

Climb the rise ahead to the footpath sign on the skyline, indicating a right turn.

4.The path climbs to a copse in 400 yards and then bears left across a field, finally going left along a hedgeline, as signed. Take the signed direction going straight ahead and enter the tree cover for a one-mile stroll through the mixed woodland of Selhurst Park. The path passes over various clearings through the woods with views back to Halnaker Mill and the coast.

Continue to the end of the obvious main woodland path, taking no side turnings, and arriving at the edge of Selhurst Park Road, which is the high point of the walk at 515 feet.

5.Do not pass over the stile but turn sharply left on the signed south-easterly bridleway for 350 yards.

At a bridleway turning go right and head off for a two-mile stride-out through the mixed woodland. It is downhill all the way and you can either work up a great pace or amble along between the sheltering sylvan canopy.

Finally, the woodland ends at a stile beside a high flint wall. Pass into the field, with the wall on the right, and continue ahead. Halnaker Park and the remains of the Tudor Halnaker House are on the hill to the left.

6.Pass through a field gate in 250 yards, with a dwelling down to the left. Continue on the track for half a mile, beside a further flint wall, to a road junction at Halnaker.

There is an impressive and looming flint arch on the right. Take a few paces left to the main road; cross to the eastern side of the junction; climb the short ramp ahead and immediately turn right on the enclosed, metalled footpath.

On arriving at the end of the enclosed path, cross to the opposite side of the road, adjacent to the recreation ground at Boxgrove and walk for 100 yards to the signed car park entrance for Boxgrove Priory. Turn left down the drive to the starting point of the walk.