Ebernoe circular

By Eddie Start

Click here to view map

The seven-mile walk around Ebernoe will show you the village's tranquil present state while taking in some reminders of its industrial past

Ebernoe is a remote Sussex village just a few miles north of Petworth. It is tucked away in wooded countryside with a sprinkling of houses, a modest church and a cricket pitch which is the site of its continuing fame.

Every year on July 25, St James' Day, the Ebernoe Horn Fair is held. Dating back to the mists of time it has its origins, some say, as a pagan fertility rite; or possibly there are late medieval connections with cuckolds, humiliated husbands being required to parade in public as objects of derision while wearing ram's horns.

Today's walker will be reassured to know the truth is more likely to be that the fair is a leftover of the hiring days which were held in rural areas, in more recent history, for engaging agricultural labour. The fair is now celebrated with a cricket match, a roasted sheep and much conviviality, as one of those essentially English summer occasions. The player scoring the most runs is awarded with a set of horns and so the tradition lives on.

This walk will explore the countryside around Ebernoe in mainly wooded terrain but with reminders that, quiet and tranquil though it may be now, this area has a serious industrial past. It is possible to join this walk at point 4, if you are arriving by public transport.

1. At the far eastern side of the Ebernoe cricket field drop to the left corner and take the signed path into woodland. Follow the path leftward through the woods, with Ebernoe House on the right.

At a three-way junction drop left, pass across a clearing, then over a bridge, climb the bank ahead and cross a stile. Go straight across the field to the far woodland and turn right along the left field edge for 400 yards, crossing stiles, to come to a farm drive at Mercer's Furze. Freehold Farm is away to the right. Turn left along the drive for 500 yards before entering tree cover. At the far side, in 50 yards and at a four-way sign, take the left bridleway.

2. Follow the well-signed path for three-quarters-of-a-mile through woodland. On arriving at a clearing with cottages left, a pleasant pond and a weeping willow, cross the road. Take a few paces right and re-enter the wooded path which is on the left.

This well-signed bridleway continues for half-a-mile in close woodland before arriving at another farm drive. Turn left and go towards Blackwool Farm.

In a few hundred yards there is a large expanse of water on the left and another a short distance away. More evidence, perhaps, of the ubiquitous High Weald hammer ponds. Pass into the farmyard and, going to the left of the building designated the Fishing Hut (an indication of redundant hammer ponds having a modern-day function), take the path down through the woods.

3. Stay on the signed path for just over half-a-mile, do not take any of the left turns, and then join a track coming from the left.

Continue ahead on the main track for half-a-mile to arrive at the entrance to High Buildings Farm.

Go out onto the minor road and follow this to the right, passing cottages and climbing to the road junction at Balls Cross. Turn right for a few paces to arrive at The Stag, a deservedly popular rural pub and opposite the village bus stop. Those arriving by public transport will start the walk here.

4. Turn right on leaving the pub and walk up the rising minor road, going west for about ten minutes. Just past the cottage known as Hollands on the left, take a few paces forward and then turn right on the signed footpath, entering the woodland of Langhurst Common.

The path twists and turns its well-signposted way through the close woodland and in just over half-a-mile crosses a track, with a footpath sign, and in a further 20 yards arrives at a three-way signpost.

Take the left path option. This is a section of track we walked earlier on our outward route.

Keep to the main track and do not take any branches to the left. After about 100 yards, as the track goes right, take the left-signed footpath (with a Sussex Wildlife Trust plaque attached to the post) into woodland.

In a short distance follow the sign to the right for about half-a-mile, crossing a couple of slippery plank bridges. This is Ebernoe Common and, after passing through a new bridle gate, you continue on the meandering main path through the woods.

This part of the common is used for animal grazing and can be boggy after rain. The path eventually arrives at three distinct posts across the path junction ahead. Go right here and walk on for 350 yards to arrive at a clearing, where power cables pass overhead.

5. Drop down to the left, passing through a bridle gate beside a cattle grid. Follow the track and then climb right, passing a sign indicating the Furnace Field.

Continue up the track to arrive in a clearing bordered by the Church Of Holy Trinity and the Old School House.

Take a short side trip from here around the western end of the church and down steps to get a view across the Furnace Pond. This is a very obvious clue to the industrial heritage of this remote part of Sussex.

Return to the church clearing, take the drive which leads out to a minor road, turn left. Walk along the road beside the grounds of Ebernoe House, with a fine cedar tree overshadowing the road, towards the cricket ground and the starting point for this walk.

If you have chosen to do this walk on St James' Day you will now be able to participate in, or observe, the festivities of the Ebernoe Horn Fair.

Those who joined the walk at point 4 should continue on through points 1, 2, and 3.